ALS

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

What is ALS?

Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS is a very aggressive and progressive degenerative neurologic disease affecting the nerve cells of the brain and the spinal cord. Normally, our motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. With ALS, these motor neurons degenerate and die which cause the loss of muscle control which eventually results in paralysis and losing the ability to speak, eat and breathe subsequently. In cases with rapid progression, it can be fatal within a year from the onset while milder progression may allow survival for many years.

What are the common signs and symptoms of ALS?

• Progressive weakness in any body part
• Loss of muscle mass and tissue
• Spasticity or continuous contraction of muscles
• Dysarthria or difficulty in speaking
• Dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing
• Frequent muscle cramps
• Random twitching
• Trouble with the respiratory system and breathing normally

Other facts about ALS:

• Cause is unknown. About 90 percent of ALS cases occur without family history
• It takes about one year before a final ALS diagnosis is made
• ALS is difficult to diagnose as there is no single test or screening to establish the diagnosis. Diagnosis requires a thorough clinical examination and series of diagnostic tests while ruling out other diseases that look like ALS 
• It is not contagious
• The disease can affect anyone throughout the world regardless of race, ethnic or socioeconomic backgrounds.
• The initial symptoms of ALS can vary in different people and with a slow onset

Role of Functional Medicine in ALS

Functional Medicine aims in determining imbalances in metabolic functions through Functional Lab tests as these are mostly overlooked in the treatment of the disease. Lab results help in determining underlying factors that cause the patient’s symptoms. A personalized patient care plan can then be established with in-house adjunctive therapies and nutritional modification directed at the specific needs of the patient. ALS conditions may greatly benefit with antioxidant therapy, stem cell therapy, and DFPP (Double Filtration Plasmapheresis) among many others.

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