Andrew Zoberman Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis patient in room

Andrew Zoberman Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis patient in room 125

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ● Progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ● Literally means "No muscle nourishment. ” ● Motor neurons that reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body progressively degenerate and eventually die. ● When the motor neurons are gone, the bain no longer has the ability to initiate and control muscle movement.

Symptoms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Symptoms include: ● Difficulty walking or difficulty doing your normal daily activities ● Weakness in your leg, feet or ankles ● Tripping ● Hand weakness or clumsiness ● Slurring of speech or trouble swallowing ● Muscle cramps and twitching in your arms, shoulders, and tongue

Evidence of ALS in Mr. Zoberman The patient noticed that his hands and feet had progressively gotten weaker. He also occasionally sees his muscles twitch. The daughter of the patient gave testimony that Mr. Zoberman’s balance is not as good as it once was. The patient has soft speech that is sometimes slurred. All of the words in red are telltale signs of a neurological disease, specifically ALS.

Diagnosis and Tests ● Not a specific test used to diagnose with ALS ● Instead, there are tests used to rule out other diseases that would have similar symptoms. ● Electromyogram (EMG)- During an EMG, the doctor inserts a needle electrode through the skin into various muscles. The test evaluates the electrical activity of the muscles when they contract and when they're at rest. Abnormalities in muscles seen in an electromyogram can help doctors diagnose ALS, or determine if the patient has a different muscle or nerve condition that may be causing their symptoms. It can also help guide their exercise therapy. ● Nerve conduction study, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Blood and urine tests,

Prognosis of ALS ● The outlook for ALS is poor, with most patients dying of it, typically from respiratory failure. ● Statistics show that half of those with ALS live at least three years after diagnosis, 25 percent live at least five years after, and up to 10 percent live at least 10 years or more after diagnosis. ● Once ALS starts, it almost always progresses, eventually taking away the ability to walk, dress, write, speak, swallow, and breathe and shortening the lifespan. ● How fast and in what order this occurs is very different from person to

Visual Breakdown of ALS Pictured to the left is an example of a motor neuron belonging to someone that does and someone that does not have ALS. Motor neurons are nerve cells that extend from the brain to the spinal cord and to muscles throughout the body. These motor neurons initiate and provide vital communication links between the brain and the voluntary muscles. n ALS, both the upper motor neurons and the lower motor neurons degenerate or die, and stop sending messages to the muscles. Unable to function, the muscles gradually weaken, start to twitch (called fasciculations), and waste away (atrophy). Eventually, the brain loses its ability to initiate and control voluntary movements.

Physical Therapist Plan of treatment for Mr. Zoberman A Physical Therapist evaluates, plans, and administers physical therapy treatment for patients suffering from injuries, muscle, nerve, joint and bone disorders or diagnoses to restore function, relieve pain and prevent disability. The physical therapist would help Mr. Zoberman try to remain functional and decrease any further muscle loss in order to prolong a comfortable life for as long as possible.

Counselor Plan of treatment for Mr. Zoberman Counselors offer guidance to individuals, couples, families and groups who are dealing with issues that affect their mental health and well-being. A counselor would be beneficial to Mr. Zoberman to talk with him about how he is dealing with his illness. It could also be good for his family to see a counselor to make sure they are dealing with what the future for Andrew will look like.