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In 2011, the same year that he turned 40 years old, he noticed that he stumbles multiple times during his morning runs and on occasions he even lost his balance and fell unexpectedly at different times of the day. He also experienced muscle cramps, twitching, overwhelming fatigue and weakness and difficulties climbing stairs. The weakness was continuous throughout the day and sometimes he felt like his calf muscles were being ripped out. Paul also experienced weakness in his hand muscles and gradually was losing the ability to use them to perform day to day personal care tasks.

ALS

EARLY SIGNs

  • Muscle cramps

  • Twitching,

  • Weakness in hands, legs, feet or ankles

  •  Difficulty speaking and swallowing

Once diagnosed, people normally have 2 to 5 years to live, however, about 10% of ALS patients live up to 10 years and beyond.

It has no cure at the moment, but for a drug called Riluzole or Rilutek which prolongs survival for up to 2 to 3 months.

MIDDLE STAGEs

  • Many muscles weaken and start to stiffen 

  • Easily tired

  • Breathing difficulties.

  • Feeding difficulties

LATE STAGEs

  • Muscles become paralyzed.

  • Use of a wheelchair to get around

  • May communicate through assistive devices using an eye-tracking device or a letter board.

  • Patients are often cared for in hospices or at home.

  • Breathing through invasive ventilation.

Most people lose the battle with ALS due to respiratory failure (This was the case with Paul).

According to the definition given by ALS TDI, it is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement.  
They claim that every 90 minutes somebody is diagnosed with ALS.

ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, Charcot's disease, and motor neuron disease (MND).  It attacks certain cells in the brain and spinal cord needed to keep our muscles moving. The motor neurons deteriorate leading to muscle weakness and paralysis.

© 2021 by Paul's Legacy

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