Contents:
- Medical Video: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - Causes, Symptoms, Treatments & More…
- What is the difference between ALS disease and multiple sclerosis
- Different definition
- Different signs and symptoms
- Symptoms of ALS
- Symptoms of multiple sclerosis
Medical Video: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - Causes, Symptoms, Treatments & More…
You may have heard of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a disease that is known by famous British scientist Stephen Hawking. ALS is a nervous disorder that weakens the muscles of the limbs and causes paralysis. The symptoms of ALS are similar to multiple sclerosis (MS), which both paralyze the central nervous system. MS causes the sufferer to be unable to control body movements. Even so, ALS and multiple sclerosis are two different conditions. So, what are the differences?
What is the difference between ALS disease and multiple sclerosis
Different definition
What is ALS disease?
ALS is a nervous system disorder that occurs when certain cells (neurons) in the brain and spinal cord die slowly. Some of these neurons regulate the movements of the arms, legs and face so you can walk, run, lift objects, chew and swallow food, and even breathe.
The same neurons also control all reflex or spontaneous movements in the limbs. For example, reflexes of the hand to fend off or catch throwing balls, or jump reflexes when going to stumble.
Because ALS kills these motor nerve cells, the brain is no longer able to give orders for the body to move. That's why ALS makes the sufferer paralyzed. ALS is also called Lou Gehrig's disease.
What is multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system of the brain and spinal cord. Multiple sclerosis results from the immune system (immune system) mistakenly assuming that the healthy cells in your body are a dangerous threat, so they attack them.
The counterattack of the immune system causes the brain's protective membranes (myelin) to be damaged or inflamed. As a result, information signals between the brain and body become disturbed, making the sufferer unable to control body movements.
Different signs and symptoms
ALS and multiple sclerosis both cause disorders of the brain's nervous system which limits the body's ability to move. So, the initial symptoms of both diseases can look similar. Initially, ALS and multiple sclerosis both cause mild muscle weakness, fatigue, and difficulty moving the limbs.
But as the disease progresses, the symptoms shown each become very different. For example, ALS sufferers usually have a greater physical disorder than MS sufferers. Meanwhile, people with MS were more likely to experience mental problems greater than those with ALS.
Multiple sclerosis is also not always fatal. Some people who suffer from this disease only experience symptoms for years, but do not cause paralysis. Others can experience rapid development of symptoms until they have difficulty treating themselves.
Next is a further difference between ALS symptoms and multiple sclerosis.
Symptoms of ALS
- Muscle cramps
- Working hands weakened
- Easy to trip and fall
- Seizures
- Difficulty in maintaining body balance
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis
- Numbness or tingling in the face and body area
- Headache and vertigo
- There is a problem with vision
- Sexual dysfunction
- Digestive problems
- Affects the sense of taste, smell, vision and touch work
- Bladder problems
Different causes
The cause of ALS disease is still uncertain, but the researchers suspect that the imbalance of glutamate levels in the body is one factor.
Some of the following can increase the likelihood of someone developing ALS disease:
- There is a history of ALS in the family
- More common in men, if they are at the age of <65 years
- 40-70 years old
- Impact injury
Likewise with multiple sclerosis. Doctors cannot confirm what causes multiple sclerosis, but some of these things can increase the risk:
- Women are more likely to develop multiple sclerosis up to 2-3 fold than men
- Aged around 20-50 years
Further research is still needed to determine the causes of these two diseases.
Different ways to handle it
ALS and multiple sclerosis are equally incurable, but symptoms can be controlled with routine treatment to slow the progression of the disease.
In ALS, the usual drug is riluzole, which functions to slow the progression of nerve cell death. Several other drugs will also be given to help relieve symptoms of seizures, cramps, constipation, pain, and fatigue.
In addition, there is important counseling to help calm the psychological condition of patients with ALS. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy are also expected to be useful to help ALS sufferers remain strong.
Treatment for MS can include anti-inflammatory drugs such as cortisone to slow down and inhibit the immune system reaction. Other treatment options in the form of injection and oral are thought to also be effective for relieving symptoms that often recur.
In addition, treatments to reduce stress are believed to improve the function of brain cells - for example by doing relaxation exercises such as meditation or deep breathing techniques.
Although both are different, people with ALS and multiple sclerosis have the same need to routinely consult their condition to the doctor, not forgetting to get support from the closest people - both physically and mentally.
