|
|
|
ALS
Explainer
May
27, 2008 |
Right now there are
about 40 people in Lee
County suffering from
Lou Gehrig’s disease.
It is a condition also
known as A.L.S.
Christine Bright is the
Care Coordinator for the
ALS Association of
Southwest Florida. She
says, “ALS stands for
Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis. It’s a
progressive
neuromuscular disease
for which there is no
cure yet.” Dr. Nima
Mowzoon is a neurologist
who often diagnoses and
treats patients with
A.L.S. He says, “So as
you have a degeneration
of the nerves you also
have a degeneration of
the muscles so basically
it’s a wasting away of
the nervous system.”
Everyday an average of
15 people is newly
diagnosed with A.L.S.
Over time the disease
takes away a person’s
voluntary muscle
control. For many
patients in the late
stages of A.L.S. only
their brain and eyes can
function on their own.
“It might cause
paralysis in the legs or
in the arms. It can
cause paralysis in the
throat or the mouth and
eventually paralysis in
the muscles in the chest
affecting breathing,”
says Christine. Dr.
Mowzoon says that
“statistics show the
average life expectancy
is about three to four
years but there are some
people who have a much
longer duration of
course.” Right now there
is no solid screening
for A.L.S and
researchers have not
found a cure. But
physicians, patients,
and caregivers have one
common theme; never give
up. “For us the theories
are not enough we need
to know what the cause
is. (18:49:46) As
clinicians we are all
waiting to have a better
solution,” says Dr.
Mowzoon. Christine says
she’s proud to be part
of a community that
cares about patients
with the condition.
“There is care and a
caring community in
Florida for persons with
ALS and their families
you know that’s our
message and that’s our
work. Over ten years
I’ve just seen some of
the most wonderful
people struck with this
disease and they deserve
a cure.” |
|
|
|
