ALS was a little-known disease until 3 years ago an international campaign was launched to give it visibility. The famous Ice Bucket Challenge highlighted the plight of many people with this disease and raised millions of euros for research. Detecting the disease is not always easy and that is why it is important that we remain attentive to the first symptoms of ALS.
What is ALS?
The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons of the brain and spinal cord responsible for transmitting the order of voluntary muscle movement. As the disease progresses, these neurons progressively decrease their function until they end up dying, which first causes muscle atrophy and finally paralysis.
In addition to motor functions, other functions such as swallowing, breathing, and the ability to speak are also affected, further aggravating the situation for ALS sufferers.
It is a disease that mainly affects adults between 40 and 70 years old, although cases are also occurring in younger people, and it is more common among men than women. It is considered a rare disease because it still has a low incidence, despite each year about 900 new cases are diagnosed in Spain alone.
At the moment, the causes of ALS are unknown, nor is there a cure for it. Despite this, in recent years research has intensified and treatments have at least been developed that slow its progression and help alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life of patients.
How to detect the first symptoms of ALS?
One of the characteristics of the disease is that both the first symptoms of ALS and its progression vary completely from one person to another. Despite this, there are some symptoms that can help us detect it:
· Difficulty walking or running.
· Loss of strength in any of the limbs.
· Frequent and painful cramps.
· Stumbling more than normal
· Lack of coordination when writing or performing other daily tasks with the hands.
· Problems chewing, swallowing, or even breathing.
· Stalling when trying to speak.
An early detection of ALS can be important to slow its progression and improve the patient's quality of life, so in the event of any suspicion we must go to the specialist as soon as possible. He will be in charge of carrying out the pertinent tests to be able to issue a diagnosis and be able to initiate the most appropriate treatment for each case. You can get infections and illnesses that can affect your teeth, gums, and tongue. Some oral infections are more serious than others. But arming yourself with the knowledge of these common mouth infections, their causes, and typical signs can help you prevent them.