Know what to expect throughout the progression of ALS.A diagnosis of ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) brings with it numerous questions and concerns: for the person receiving the diagnosis, as well as his or her loved ones. What caused this disease? What symptoms should be expected now, and how will they change as the disease progresses? Where can we find the help and support we’ll need?
As many as 30,000 Americans are currently battling the effects of ALS, and another nearly 6,000 new diagnoses are made each year. And while the actual cause of the disease is still unclear, some research is pointing to complicated risk factors. For instance, veterans who were in service during the Gulf War have been diagnosed twice as often as others.
While each individual can be impacted by ALS uniquely, the way the disease tends to progress often follows a path of three main stages. Learning about each of these stages can help those with ALS and those who provide care for them implement the most appropriate plan of care. Nightingale Homecare, the Phoenix senior home care experts, shares the key points you need to know:
Beginning Stages
In the early stages of ALS…
- The most pronounced symptoms are often noticed in only one certain area of the body
- More mild symptoms can affect more than that one particular area
- For some ALS patients, the first muscles to be impacted are those required for speaking, swallowing and/or breathing
Potential Symptoms:
- Balance problems
- Fatigue
- Slurred speech
- A weaker grip
- Stumbling
Mid Stages
In the middle stages of ALS…
- Certain muscles may experience paralysis, while others are either weakened or completely unaffected
- Symptoms of the disease become more widespread
- Twitching may become apparent
Potential Symptoms:
- Problems with standing up independently
- Problems with eating and swallowing, with a heightened possibility of choking
- Problems with breathing, in particular when lying down
- Uncontrolled and inappropriate crying or laughter, known as the pseudobulbar affect (PBA)
Advanced Stages
In the final stages of ALS…
- The ALS patient now requires full assistance to care for his/her needs
- The ability to speak is often lost
- The person can no longer eat or drink by mouth
Possible Symptoms:
- The majority of voluntary muscles are paralyzed
- Breathing becomes extremely difficult, leading to fatigue, confusion, headaches and susceptibility to pneumonia
- Mobility is now significantly impacted
There is help for those with ALS and the families who love them! Contact Nightingale Homecare’s Phoenix senior care team for both skilled and non-medical assistance in and around the Phoenix, AZ area, right in the comfort of home. Just a few of the many services that make life more comfortable for ALS patients include:
- Assistance with planning and preparing appropriate meals, and with feeding as needed
- Friendly companionship and engagement in enjoyable activities
- Help with personal care needs, such as bathing, dressing, and using the toilet
- Skilled nursing care and evaluations
- Enhanced safety through our Paces Fall Prevention program
- Innovative strategies, education, and intervention through our Pathlink Chronic Disease Management program
- In-home physical, occupational, and speech therapy services
- And so much more!
Contact us at (602) 504-1555 for a free in-home consultation to talk with us about the challenges you’re facing, and to learn more about our Phoenix senior home care and the many areas we serve.
