Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

www.nursingcriticalcare.com Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease, was first described in the 19th century by French neurologist Dr. Jean-Martin Charcot. In the 20th century, ALS also became known as Lou Gehrig disease, named after the famous New York Yankees baseball player who had the disease. Lou Gehrig died from ALS in 1941 at the age of 37.1 ALS is the most common form of motor neuron disease and is the third-most common neurodegenerative disorder behind Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases.2 There are an estimated 300,000 individuals currently living with ALS in the US.3 The median age of onset is 55 and the disease incidence peaks between 70 and 75 years of age.1,4 Males are affected more than females. About 90% of ALS cases are determined to be sporadic, or acquired, while the remainder are considered familial or hereditary. Known risk factors include age and family history, but there is now evidence that cigarette smoking is also a risk factor for ALS.1 This article provides critical care nurses with information about the etiology and pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, and diagnosis of ALS, as well as nursing considerations to help patients at end of life. Although treatment can slow disease progression, it is important for critical care nurses to understand that treatment is not curative. Abstract: About 7,000 new cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are diagnosed in the US every year. This neurodegenerative disease is rapidly progressive and always fatal. Although treatment can help slow disease progression, it is not curative. This article includes the etiology and pathophysiology of, signs and symptoms of, diagnosis of, and treatment for ALS, and special critical care nursing considerations to help patients at end of life.