How is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?
Author: mzPOTTER
So far not found any cure for ALS. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first drug treatment for the disease-riluzole (Rilutek). Riluzole is believed to reduce damage to motor neurons by decreasing the release of glutamate.
Clinical trials with ALS patients showed that riluzole prolongs survival by several months, especially those with difficulty swallowing. The drug also extends the time before the patient need to wear a respirator.
Riluzole does not reverse the damage already done to motor neurons and should monitor patients taking the drug to see that no damage to the liver or other side effects. However, this first disease-specific therapy offers hope that some day it may slow progression of ALS with new drugs or combinations of drugs.
Other treatments for ALS are designed to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life of patients. It is better that this care is given support by teams of health professionals from various disciplines such as physicians, pharmacists, physical therapists, occupational and speech therapy, nutritionists, social workers and nurses who provide home care and hospice.
When working with patients and caregivers, these teams can design an individualized plan of medical and physical therapy and provide special equipment to keep patients mobile and comfortable as possible.