Study Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Flash Cards

 
Pile Management Card
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

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Where does the demyelination occur in patients with ALS?
IN THE GIANT PYRAMIDAL CELLS OF THE CEREBRAL CORTEX AND AFFECTS AREAS OF THE CORTICOSPINAL TRACTS, CELL BODIES OF THE LOWER MOTOR NEURONS IN THE GRAY MATER, ANTERIOR HORN CELLS, AND AREAS WITHIN THE PRECENTRAL GYRUS OF THE CORTEX
What causes the symptoms of ALS?
*DEMYELINATION
*AXONAL SWELLING
*ATROPHY WITH THE CEREBRAL CORTEX, PREMOTOR AREAS, SENSORY CORTEX, AND TEMPORAL CORTEX
What is the reason for progressive weakness in patients with muscular dystrophy?
THE ABSENCE OF DYSTROPHIN WITHIN THE SKELETAL MUSCLES
What disease shows similar characteristics as ALS?
MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY
(AN INHERITED DISORDER THAT IS PROGRESSIVE IN NATURE AND EXHIBITS DEGENERATION OF MUSCLES WITHOUT SENSORY IMPAIRMENT)
ALS is usually a rapidly progressing neurological disease with an average course of how many years?
2-5 YEARS
What drug is known for helping to slow the progression of ALS?
RILUZOLE (RILUTEK)
What remains preserved during the progression of ALS?
*SENSATION
*EYE MOVEMENT
*BOWEL AND BLADDER FUNCTION
What is the primary indicator of ALS?
A PATIENT THAT PRESENTS WITH MOTOR IMPAIRMENT WITHOUT SENSORY IMPAIRMENT
What special tests can be utilized to diagnose ALS?
*ELECTROMYOGRAPHY (ASSESSES FIBRILLATION AND MUSCLE FASCICULATIONS
*MUSCLE BIOPSY (VERIFIES LOWER MOTOR NEURON INVOLVEMENT
*SPINAL TAP (MAY REVEAL A HIGHER PROTEIN CONTENT IN SOME PATIENTS)
What kind of symptoms will you see in a person with ALS?
*FATIGUE
*ORAL MOTOR IMPAIRMENT
*FASCICULATIONS
*SPASTICITY
*MOTOR PARALYSIS
*EVENTUAL RESPIRATORY PARALYSIS
What are the upper motor neuron symptoms of ALS?
*LOSS OF INHIBITION OF MUSCLES
*INCOORDINATION OF MOVEMENT
*SPASTICITY
*CLONUS
*POSITIVE BABINSKI REFLEX
What kind of path does ALS follow?
DISTAL TO PROXIMAL
Who is at a greater risk for ALS?
HIGHER IN MEN AND USUALLY OCCURS BETWEEN 40-70 YEARS OF AGE
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