Treatment
There is no cure for MND and the disease is fatal, but the disease progresses at different speeds in patients.
People with MND are expected to live two to five years after the first symptoms appear, although 10% of patients live at least 10 years.
History
The NHS describes motor neuron disease (MND) as: “An uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves. It causes weakness that gets worse over time.
Weakness is caused by impairment of motor neurons, upper motor neurons that travel from the brain through the spinal cord, and lower motor neurons that extend to the face, throat, and limbs.
It was first discovered in 1865 by a French neurologist, Jean-Martin Charcot, which is why MND is sometimes known as Charcot’s disease.
In the UK, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is known as motor neuron disease, while in the US, ALS is known as a specific subset of MND, which is defined as a group of neurological disorders.
However, according to Oxford University hospitals: “Almost 90% of patients with MND have the mixed form of ALS from the disease, so the terms MND and ALS are commonly used to mean the same “.
Symptoms
Weakness in the ankle or leg, which can be manifested with displacement or difficulty climbing stairs and a weakness in the ability to grab things.
Disordered speech is an early symptom and can later worsen to include difficulty swallowing food.
Muscle cramps or contractions are also a symptom, as is weight loss because the muscles in the legs and arms shrink over time.
Diagnosis
MND is difficult to diagnose in its early stages, as several conditions can cause similar symptoms. Nor is any evidence used to determine its presence.
However, the disease is usually diagnosed through an exclusion process, which excludes diseases that show symptoms similar to ALS.
Causes
The NHS says MND is an “uncommon condition” that mainly affects the elderly. However, he warns that it can affect adults of any age.
The NHS says that, so far, “it is not yet known why” the disease is happening. The ALS Association says MND occurs worldwide “without racial, ethnic or socioeconomic boundaries and can affect anyone.”
He says war veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS and men are 20% more likely to get it.
Lou Gehrig was one of the preeminent stars of baseball while playing for the Yankees between 1923 and 1939. Known as “The Iron Horse,” he played in 2,130 consecutive games before the ELA forced him to retire. Cal Ripken Jr. broke the record in 1995
Lou Gehrig’s disease
In addition to being known as ALS and Charcot’s disease, MND is often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Lou Gehrig was a very popular baseball player, playing for the New York Yankees between 1923 and 1939.
He was famous for his strength and was nicknamed “The Iron Horse”.
His strength, popularity and fame transcended the sport of baseball and the condition took its name from the athlete.
He died two years after his diagnosis.