Question 1

what is the cause of death for als patients?

Accepted Answer

Pneumonia: Most ALS patients who die naturally do so of pneumonia, because they are too weak to cough or breathe deeply which a healthy person does naturally to prevent lung infections.

Question 2

how do you breakdown thick flem in an als patient?

Accepted Answer

NAC: N-acetyl cysteine, salt nebs both breakdown mucous.

Question 3

conflicting info online . with als is slurring only slurring if others can hear it too ? some sites say the patient may feel it first before family notice but other health professionals say it is only deemed a true symptom if its noticeable by other?

Accepted Answer

: Slurring as a symptom of ALS is only part of a very complex series of symptoms. If concerned about ALS, a patient would see their primary care Dr for a full exam and complete neurological exam, followed by lab tests, imaging, etc to rule out other causes for the symptoms.

Question 4

what treatments are currently available for als patients?

Accepted Answer

Not many: Sole FDA approved in US is Riluzole, and some pts feel that gabapentin and memantine make them feel better due to glutamate inhibition.  But the Riluzole merely delays need for tracheostomy and does NOT improve strength.  Sorry, but not much else available here.

Question 5

is hla b27 present in patients with als?

Accepted Answer

May be but not: Related.  Hla b 27b is one of the antigens normally present, though it is associated with some inflammatory diseases, most notably ankylosing spondylitis.See this site for more information on this topic.

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1201027-overview.

Question 6

do als patients suffer painful, suffocating death?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: An ALS person is more likely to die of pneumonia -- which a wise physician / family would not seek to treat.  Very weak people cannot protect their lungs from bacterial infection by coughing and breathing deeply.  This is far less frightening than death purely from weakness, which actually would be slow suffocation.

Question 7

can a twitch be induced for people with benign fasciculatiom syndrome or only als patients?

Accepted Answer

No : muscle fasciculations can be seen in a variety of situations ranging from muscle overuse and fatigue to electrolyte imbalance to denervation issues (I.e. Damage to the nerve that connects to a specific muscle). In a  person with no overall medical issues, the muscle twitching is most likely benign unless other symptoms such as weakness and loss of sensation are present

Question 8

is creatine kinase typically elevated in als patients?

Accepted Answer

Below: Serum creatine kinase (CK) levels were recorded in 100 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). CK concentrations were elevated in 43% of the patients, with a mean level of 240 U/liter and a range of 59-1,327 U/liter (male normal less than 95 U/liter, female normal less than 59 U/liter). All patients with elevated CK had muscle weakness. Seven patients were initially misdiagnosed as hav

Question 9

als: if a patient has tongue fibrillations (not fascis!), how long would you expect to be the total time from first appearing until weakness occurs?

Accepted Answer

Tongue fasciculation: Tongue fasciculation is a sign of a neurologic disorder and needs to be identified and treated. Best see a neurologist.

Question 10

which is the best care for an als patient; home care or a nursing home. brian seems to be doing fine with home care but his brother who is the legal guardian thinks a nursing home is safer?

Accepted Answer

: You question lacks detail. In some instances home based care can be preferred, when the specialized equipment and staffing is available to tend to the ever increasing needs of an ALS patient. If not, the 24/7 staffing and equipment in a residential facility may be better suited for the care. Home care is difficult in a patient that is on Bipap/CPAP almost continuously/tube fed/in diapers/etc.

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Doctor answers about:

What finally kills an als patient

A member asked:

What is the cause of death for als patients?

A member asked:

How do you breakdown thick flem in an als patient?

A member asked:

Conflicting info online . with als is slurring only slurring if others can hear it too ? some sites say the patient may feel it first before family notice but other health professionals say it is only deemed a true symptom if its noticeable by other?

A member asked:

What treatments are currently available for als patients?

A member asked:

Is hla b27 present in patients with als?

A member asked:

Do als patients suffer painful, suffocating death?

A member asked:

Can a twitch be induced for people with benign fasciculatiom syndrome or only als patients?

A member asked:

Is creatine kinase typically elevated in als patients?

A member asked:

Als: if a patient has tongue fibrillations (not fascis!), how long would you expect to be the total time from first appearing until weakness occurs?

A member asked:

Which is the best care for an als patient; home care or a nursing home. brian seems to be doing fine with home care but his brother who is the legal guardian thinks a nursing home is safer?

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