The rare disorder known as motor neuron disease (MND) damages the brain and nerves. It results in weakness that progressively worsens.
While there isn’t a cure for motor neuron disease (MND), there are therapies that can lessen its effects on day-to-day functioning. Some people deal with the illness for a long time.
Sadly, MND ultimately results in mortality and can drastically reduce life expectancy.
Symptoms
Motor neuron disease symptoms can appear gradually and may not be immediately apparent.
Early indications may consist of:
- A weakness in your leg or ankle that could cause you to tumble or make climbing stairs more difficult
- Impaired speech, which could progress to trouble swallowing specific meals
- A weak grip: you could drop objects or struggle to button buttons or open jars.
- Twitches and spasms of muscles
- Weight loss: Over time, the muscles in your arms or legs may have gotten thinner.
- Having trouble controlling your laughter or sobbing in unsuitable settings
Who and why gets motor neuron illness
Adults of various ages can be affected by motor neuron disease, an uncommon ailment that primarily affects those in their 60s and 70s.
It is brought on by an issue with motor neurons, which are brain and nerve cells.
Over time, these cells eventually quit functioning. The reason for this is unknown.
You may occasionally be at higher risk of developing motor neuron disease or frontotemporal dementia if you have a close family who has either of these conditions.
However, most of the time, it does not run in families.
Diagnostics and tests
Early diagnosis of motor neuron disease might be challenging.
There is no one test for it, although the symptoms are similar in many illnesses.
In order to assist rule out further disorders, a neurologist might set up:
- Sanguine tests
- Scan of your spine and brain
- Tests to gauge your muscles’ and nerves’ electrical activity
- Lumbar puncture, often known as a spinal tap, is the process of removing and testing spinal fluid with a tiny needle.
Therapy and Assistance
Motor neuron disease cannot be cured, but treatment can lessen how much of an impact the symptoms have on your daily life.
A general practitioner and a group of experts will look after you.
Treatments include of:
- Extremely specific clinics, usually with occupational therapy and a specialist nurse to help with daily tasks
- Exercises and physiotherapy to keep muscles strong and decrease stiffness
- Guidance from a speech-language pathologist
- Recommendations regarding food and diet from a dietitian
- Riluzole, a medication that may be able to somewhat halt the condition’s progression
- Medications to ease tense muscles and treat issues with saliva
- Mental assistance for both you and your career
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