RateADrug.com Logo The users guide
to prescription drugs
and supplements
Finding the right
medication is important
Let RateADrug help.
  • Evaluate your current medication
  • Compare conventional and alternative therapies
  • Get information without drug company bias
 Home |Compare Treatments |Evaluate Your Treatment |Symptom Feedback |Drugs A to Z |Supplements A to Z |More Tools
Search for a Treatment  
Find Treatments by Condition       
Browse by name:
Aa-Ab | Ac | Ad-Ak | Al | Am | An-Ap | Aq-Ar | As-Az  Hide
Ba-Bd | Be-Bh | Bi-Bo | Bp-Br | Bs-Bz  Hide
Ca | Cb-Ce | Cf-Ch | Ci | Cj-Cl | Cm-Co | Cp-Cz  Hide
Da-Dd | De | Df-Di |Dj-Do | Dp-Dz  Hide
Ea-El | Em-Ep | Eq-Es | Et | Eu-Ez  Hide
Fa-Fd | Fe-Fh | Fi-Fk | Fl | Fm-Ft | Fu-Fz  Hide
Ha-He | Hf-Hz  Hide
Ia-Il | Im-In | Io-Ip | Iq-Iz  Hide
La-Ld | Le| Lf-Ln| Lo | Lp-Lz  Hide
Na | Nb-Nh | Ni | Nj-Nz  Hide
Oa-Op | Oq-Ow | Ox-Oz  Hide
Pa | Pb-Pe | Pf-Ph | Pi | Pj-Pr | Ps-Pz  Hide
Ra-Rd | Re | Rf-Rz  Hide
Ta-Td | Te | Tf-Th | Ti | Tj-Tq | Tra-Tri | Trj-Tz  Hide
Compare Treatments
Search by Condition
submit to reddit Delicious

Lou Gehrig's Disease treatment

Description
Lou Gehrig's Disease or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS), is a disease concentrated in the the nerve system (e.g brain and spinal cord) effecting voluntary control of the majority of muscle movement. This disease can cause twitching, spastic irritation of muscles, and muscular atrophy. The disease mostly effects the mortor tracts on the lateral columns and anterior horns of the spinal cord. ALS View more...
Causes
The only known cause of ALS is a defect in the in the sod1 gene. Which is thought to create a toxic protein for motor neurons. This defect can only account for 20% of the 5-10% of inherited (genitic) cases. (So 10/100 cases are genitic 2 of those ten are from the genitic protein defect) . In the remaining cases, the cause is unknown.

This disease slowly waste away mortor neuronsor simply diean View more...
Prevention
You may want to see a genetic counselor if you have a family history of ALS.
Common Symptoms
Symptoms include:
Difficulty breathing, Difficulty swallowing( ex Choking easily. ex Drooling.ex Gagging), Head drop due to weakness of the neck muscles, Muscle cramps, Muscle contractions called fasciculations, Muscle weakness that slowly gets worse, Paralysis, Speech problems, such as a slow or abnormal speech pattern (slurring of words), Voice changes - hoarseness, Weight loss
Rare Symptoms
• Lung failure
• Pneumonia
• Pressure sores
• Weight loss
Traditional Treatment
There is no known cure for ALS. The first drug treatment for the disease is a medicine called riluzole. Riluzole slows the disease progression and prolongs life.
Patients may opt. to have a feeding tube placed in their stomcah to deal with choking which is common. This is called a gastrostomy.
A nutritionist is very important. Patients with ALS tend to lose weight. The illness itself increases the View more...
Alternative Treatment
Treatments to control symptoms are also helpful:
• Baclofen or diazepam may be used to control spasticity that interferes with daily activities.
• Trihexyphenidyl or amitriptyline may be prescribed for people with problems swallowing their own saliva.
Physical therapy, rehabilitation, use of braces or a wheelchair, or other orthopedic measures may be needed to maximize muscle function and general View more...
Treatment Comparison
Choose a Condition:
Show results for:
About these Scores Get Your Score
Lou Gehrig's Disease Treatments
(Shown in order of most frequently rated)
2 Drugs
0 Supplements
Famous People with Depression
SmallMary Kate Olsen.jpg

Mary Kate Olsen

Mary Kate Olsen has struggled with depression, ADD and the eating disorder anorexia nervosa.

SmallOwenWilsonMay07.jpg

Owen Wilson

Owen Wilson has struggled with depression for years, and despite taking anti-depressants tried to commit suicide in 2007.

SmallSheryl_Crow.jpg

Sheryl Crow

When Crow suffered a bad stretch of depression in 2003, the musician began an exercise routine and took Prozac to assist in her recovery.

SmallJim_Carrey_horton_hears_a_who_2008-crop.jpg

Jim Carrey

This comedian is self-proclaimed to be a "weird, serious person," and has been battling clinical depression since childhood.

SmallLarry_King.jpg

Larry King

Late night talk show host Larry King had a bout with depression after having heart surgery in 1987.



For Your Health



Affiliates click here

Directory of Sponsored Services

Health begins with Knowledge. Visit our sponsors on your journey to a healthier, happier life.

Patient Resources

Legal / Regulatory Notices

Health Practitioners

Wellness Products

Clinical Trials / Research

Lifestyle

Medication Name:
Home: RateADrug.com
© 2009 RateADrug.com All rights reserved.