ALS Treatment Considerations
No cure has yet been found for ALS. However, there are some treatments available
to help relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life for people with ALS. There
is also a FDA-approved therapy proven to extend survival of patients with ALS. Research
is continuing to find the cause(s) of ALS, understand the mechanisms involved in
disease progression, and develop other effective treatments.
Relief of Symptoms
Medication and assistive devices may be necessary to help relieve ALS-related symptoms,
such as:
- depression, anxiety, and insomnia
- shortness of breath
- excessive saliva or drooling
- muscle spasms, stiffness
- emotional lability
- weight loss, malnutrition
- constipation
- urinary urgency or frequency
Speak to your healthcare provider about the treatments available to relieve these
symptoms.
ALS Therapies
Rilutek
Rilutek has been proven to extend survival time to tracheostomy or death, and is
the only medication currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
for the treatment of ALS.
Rilutek has been used by neurologists and other physicians to treat ALS patients
for more than 10 years.
Additional Therapies
As ALS progresses and muscles weaken, patients may benefit from rehabilitation services
to enhance independence and maintain safety, such as:
- Physical therapy -to strengthen muscles, improve cardiovascular
health, and fight fatigue.
- Occupational therapy -to maintain performance of daily
tasks.
- Speech therapy -because ALS affects the muscles used to
speak and swallow.
- Assistive devices-such as braces, canes, walkers, wheelchairs
and communication devices.
- Nutritional support -advice on foods that are nutritious
and easy to swallow; gastrostomy tube leadings.
- Emotional support -utilizing medication and counseling
if a patient becomes anxious or depressed.
- Respiratory support -non invasive (BiPAP) or invasive (tracheostomy)
mechanical ventilation.