ALS Glossary of Terms

+- Text Size

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS):

A disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the way the brain sends messages to certain muscles, including those used for breathing and swallowing. The disorder causes muscle weakness. As the disease progresses, ALS makes it difficult, and often impossible, to move these muscles. The cause is unknown, and there is no known cure.

Anesthesia:

Drug-induced loss of sensation to avoid pain.

Atrophy:

The wasting or loss of muscle tissue, typically due to nerve damage in ALS patients.

Biopsy:

An invasive medical test that removes tissue from the body to examine it under a microscope.

Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP):

A device that artificially inflates the lungs and may be used to help a patient breathe.

Central nervous system:

The body’s "communication network," made up of the brain and spinal cord.

Electromyography (EMG):

A non-invasive medical test used to evaluate and diagnose disorders of the muscles and motor neurons. Electrodes are inserted into the muscle, or placed on the skin overlying a muscle or muscle group, and electrical activity and muscle response are recorded.

Intermittent Positive Pressure Ventilation (IPPV):

A device that artificially inflates the lungs and may be used to help a patient breathe.

Invasive ventilation:

A tracheostomy where a tube is placed through the neck into the main breathing pathway. This will provide more efficient ventilation and better control of the upper airway and secretions.

Lou Gehrig:

A famous Yankees first baseman from the 1940s who developed ALS. ALS is also referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease”.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI):

A noninvasive procedure that produces a high-contrast, two-dimensional view of an internal organ or structure, typically of the brain and spinal cord.

Mechanical ventilation:

A machine that inflates and deflates the lungs to help with breathing.

Motor neurons:

Nerve cells of the central nervous system that act as messengers between the brain and muscle tissue.

Muscle:

The tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. There are three types of muscle in the body. Muscle that moves extremities and external areas of the body is called "skeletal muscle." The heart muscle is called "cardiac muscle." And muscle in the walls of arteries and the bowel is called "smooth muscle.".

Muscle cramps:

Involuntary, painful shortening of muscles.

Muscle weakness

Loss of muscle strength with increased fatigue, loss of coordination, and difficulty with motor skills.

Neurologist:

A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders in the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous system.

Non-invasive

A procedure for diagnosis or treatment that does not require surgery.

Non-invasive ventilation:

A type of respiratory support where different levels of pressure are applied to the lungs during inspiration and expiration in order to stimulate patient breathing. It assists with the patient’s own breathing but does not replace their effort. Also known as BiPAP.

Physical examination:

A thorough assessment of a patient’s physical condition to collect information for diagnosis.

Placebo:

A pill without medicine in it, given to people in clinical trials as a “control”.

Trachea:

The windpipe that leads from the mouth to the lungs.

Tracheostomy:

A surgical operation where a plastic breathing tube is inserted through a hole created in a patient’s windpipe to allow access to a machine to help with breathing.

How is ALS treated?

How is ALS treated?

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with ALS, you may have questions.

Find out more
Is RILUTEK right for me?

Is RILUTEK right for me?

Find out what you need to know if you’re considering RILUTEK.

Get informed
Current RILUTEK Patients

Current RILUTEK Patients

Get information on safety, efficacy, and what you should discuss with your doctor.

Learn more

Indication

RILUTEK (riluzole) is indicated for the treatment of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Rilutek extends survival and/or time to invasive breathing assistance.

Important Safety Information

  • You should not take RILUTEK if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.

  • Your doctor should do blood tests to check your liver function before and during your treatment.

  • Call your doctor if you have a fever, cough, or difficulty in breathing while taking RILUTEK.

  • RILUTEK may cause you to feel dizzy, light-headed, or sleepy. If you experience any of these, you should NOT drive a vehicle or use machinery.

  • If you miss or skip a dose of RILUTEK, do not take any extra tablets to make up for those you missed, but take your prescribed dose at the next regularly scheduled time.

  • When taking RILUTEK, avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol; alcohol may contribute to compromising liver function and may be associated with an increased risk of liver problems.

  • The most common side effects of RILUTEK that occurred during medical studies were weakness, nausea, lung function decrease*, headache, nasal symptoms, muscle tightness, abdominal pain, and high blood pressure. If any side effects become troublesome, contact your doctor.

  • Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all other medicines you are taking, including nonprescription products and vitamins. If you have questions, please talk to your doctor.

Please refer to the full prescribing information using the link at the top of the page.

*Not associated with a reduction in vital capacity

The health information contained herein is provided for general educational purposes only. Your healthcare professional is the single best source of information regarding your health.
Please consult your healthcare professional if you have any questions about your health or treatment.


Click here for information on drug anti-counterfeiting.