Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for ALS

What is ALS?

The nerve cells (neurons) in charge of coordinating voluntary muscular action are particularly vulnerable to the degenerative effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal and extremely rare neurological illness (those muscles we choose to move).

Chewing, walking, and talking are all examples of voluntary muscular action. The symptoms of the condition worsen over time, indicating that it progresses.

There is currently no medication for ALS that can slow or stop the illness from progressing.

Motor neuron diseases, of which ALS is a subset, are characterized by the progressive degradation (degeneration) and eventual death of motor neurons.

Motor neurons are a special type of nerve cell that may be found all over the body and which connect the brain and spinal cord to the muscles.

Muscles deteriorate, twitch, and waste away due to a lack of stimulation as motor neurons die off (atrophy). A person’s capacity to initiate and control voluntary motions declines as they age.

Weakness or stiffness in the muscles is a common symptom of ALS in its early stages. Individuals gradually lose their strength and their capacity to speak, eat, move, and even breathe as all voluntary muscles are impaired.

After experiencing symptoms for anywhere from three months to five years, most persons with ALS eventually succumb to respiratory failure and die.

But only approximately 10% of those diagnosed with ALS live for ten years or longer after diagnosis.

After the famed baseball player retired in the 1940s due to the disease, ALS became known as Lou Gehrig’s sickness.

What are the symptoms of ALS?

Initially, the weakness or atrophy associated with ALS may be so modest that they go unnoticed.

Early symptoms include:

Body parts like the arms, legs, shoulders, and tongue twitch uncontrollably.
Spastic muscles
Painful, tense, and rigid muscular tissue (spasticity)
Weakness in the muscles of the arms, legs, neck, and/or lungs
speech impairment (slurred, nasal)
Struggles with digestion or swallowing

Difficulty in fine motor skills, such as those required to button a shirt, write, or turn a key in a lock, is often the earliest indicator of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Other times, only one leg is affected at first.

Individuals may feel unsteady on their feet, fall down more frequently, or have difficulty gaining momentum when walking or jogging. “Limb onset” ALS refers to the onset of symptoms in the limbs, while “bulbar onset” ALS refers to the development of symptoms in the vocal cords and swallowing muscles.

Weakness and atrophy of muscles occur all across the body as the disease advances. Disabilities in movement, swallowing (known as dysphagia), speech and word formation (known as dysarthria), and breathing are all possible outcomes (dyspnea).

Although the onset and course of symptoms might vary from person to person, those with ALS eventually lose the ability to stand, walk, get in and out of bed, or use their hands and arms.

People with ALS often have trouble swallowing and chewing, which makes eating a challenge.

They have a higher metabolic rate, burning fat and calories at a faster pace than the average person. Malnutrition and fast weight loss are common outcomes for persons with ALS for these reasons.

People with ALS are usually aware of their progressive loss of function and may experience anxiety and depression since they are still capable of higher mental processes such as reasoning, remembering, understanding, and problem-solving.

Some people may have trouble communicating or making decisions, and there is mounting evidence that some people may potentially acquire dementia.

People with ALS can no longer breathe without the assistance of a ventilator. In the later stages of the disease, those who are affected are also more likely to develop pneumonia.

Painful neuropathy is a potential side effect of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in addition to painful muscular cramping (nerve disease or damage).

L.A.S. is a neuromuscular disorder that affects many people around the world. Everyone of every race and ethnicity is vulnerable to it.

Some of the things that can put you at risk for amyotrophic lateral

Age – Symptoms typically appear between the ages of 55 and 75, while the condition can manifest at any age.

Gender – There is a minor male preponderance in the occurrence of ALS. Aging, however, levels the playing field between the sexes.

Distinguishing characteristics based on race and ethnicity. The disease disproportionately affects non-Hispanic Whites.

There is evidence that men and women who have served in the armed forces are 1.5-2 times more likely to be diagnosed with ALS than the general population.

Lead, pesticides, and other environmental contaminants may be contributing causes, while the exact cause is unknown.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes ALS as a service-connected condition.

What causes ALS?

No one knows what triggers ALS, and researchers haven’t figured out why some people get it, and others don’t.

There is evidence, however, that both genes and the environment have a role in the degradation of motor neurons and the onset of ALS.

Genetics

It was not until 1993 that researchers funded by the NINDS found that mutations in the SOD1 gene were linked to some cases of familial ALS. More than a dozen other genetic mutations have been discovered since then with the help of NINDS-funded studies.

Studies of specific gene mutations have implicated modifications to RNA processing as a potential cause of motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In addition to their role in regulating gene expression, RNA molecules also play a role in cellular chemical synthesis.

Mutations in other genes suggest problems with the normal process of protein recycling, in which damaged proteins are degraded and the materials utilized to construct new, functional proteins. Others suggest a heightened vulnerability to environmental contaminants and problems with the structure and form of motor neurons.

Contextual Considerations

Researchers are examining the role of environmental elements such as toxic or infectious agent exposure, viruses, physical trauma, food, and behavioral and occupational factors. Some veterans and athletes may be at a higher risk of acquiring amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) because they were exposed to toxins while serving their country or because they engage in intense physical exercise. Some variables in the disease’s onset or progression may be revealed by future studies.

How is ALS diagnosed?

There is currently no reliable diagnostic test for ALS. Physical examination findings, a thorough evaluation of the patient’s medical history, and a battery of diagnostic testing are used to make the diagnosis and rule out other possible conditions.

If you’re experiencing symptoms like muscle weakness, muscle wasting, or spasticity, scheduling routine neurologic exams might help you determine if they’re getting worse over time

How is ALS treated?

No current therapies can repair damaged motor neurons or cure ALS. However, available treatments can reduce symptoms, lessen the likelihood of complications, and generally improve the quality of life for those with this disease.

Medical doctors, pharmacists, therapists (occupational, physical, speech, and respiratory), dietitians, social workers, psychologists, and nurses (home care, hospice) working together to offer comprehensive care for patients is the gold standard in palliative medicine.

In order to help their patients remain as mobile, comfortable, and self-reliant as possible, these teams can create bespoke treatment plans and supply specialized equipment. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for ALS is recommended.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for ALS

Tissues in our bodies can’t do their jobs without oxygen. The oxygen content in the air we breathe is 21%.

Breathing 100% (pure) oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber is what is known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). The interior air pressure is increased beyond that of ambient air.

The elevated pressure in the chamber aids oxygen absorption by the lungs. If the body’s tissues aren’t receiving enough oxygen, healing and immunity to infection may be slowed. However, the body might suffer damage from an excess of oxygen.

This has the potential to aid in the battle against infections, speed up the healing process of wounds, and deliver more oxygen to areas with inadequate circulation.

Patients with acute life-threatening infections and those with persistent infections that have not responded to standard care are both candidates for HBOT therapy.

Wounds involving diseased bone, tissue flaps and grafts used to cover massive surgical wounds, and diabetic foot ulcers are all examples of the kind of complex wounds that benefit from its use.

A cushioned table may be slid into the hyperbaric oxygen chamber’s clear, 7-foot-long plastic tube. There is a two-hour session where the chamber is compressed with pure oxygen to 2.5 times the normal atmospheric pressure.

If you feel the pressure building up in your ears, similar to what happens during an airplane flight, yawning may help. Wound care professionals with expertise in hyperbaric medicine will keep a close eye on you during the treatment.

At the end of the session, the chamber will be depressurized gradually. The tiredness and dizziness you feel after treatment is common and should go away after a few minutes. The oxygen used in HBOT and the hyperbaric chambers themselves are subject to regulation by the Food and Drug Administration. A hyperbaric chamber can be either a tube large enough to house one person or a room large enough to hold several people.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for ALS has been shown to protect motor neurons. Multiple studies have indicated that hyperbaric oxygen therapy can decrease inflammatory cytokines while simultaneously increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines. As a result, neuroinflammation, a major contributor to motor neuron loss in ALS, can be mitigated.

Human and animal studies of HBOT have shown that therapy can improve mitochondrial activity in the central nervous system. Finally, studies have shown that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can increase axonal regeneration, which in turn may stimulate motor neuron recovery and alleviate ALS symptoms. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for ALS is effective and safe.

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