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| ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease |
| & Social Security Disability |
| Attorney Stephanie Joy (c.2011) "Combining the practice of SS law with Compassion and Communication" |
TM
Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rapidly progressive, invariably fatal
neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells (neurons) responsible
for controlling voluntary muscles. In ALS, both the upper motor neurons
and the lower motor neurons degenerate or die, ceasing to send
messages to muscles. Unable to function, the muscles gradually weaken,
waste away, and twitch. Eventually the ability of the brain to start and
control voluntary movement is lost. Individuals with ALS lose their
strength and the ability to move their arms, legs, and body. When
muscles in the diaphragm and chest wall fail, individuals lose the ability
to breathe without ventilatory support. In most cases the disease does
not impair a person's mind, personality, intelligence, or memory, nor
does it affect a person's ability to see, smell, taste, hear, or recognize
touch. A small percentage of patients may experience problems with
memory or decision-making, and there is growing evidence that some
may even develop a form of dementia. The cause of ALS is not known,
and scientists do not yet know why ALS strikes some people and not
others.
Is there any treatment?
No cure has yet been found for ALS. However, the FDA has approved
the first drug treatment for the disease—riluzole. Riluzole is believed to
reduce damage to motor neurons and prolongs survival by several
months, mainly in those with difficulty swallowing. Other treatments are
designed to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life for people
with ALS. Drugs also are available to help individuals with pain,
depression, sleep disturbances, and constipation. Individuals with ALS
may eventually consider forms of mechanical ventilation (respirators).
What is the prognosis?
Regardless of the part of the body first affected by the disease, muscle
weakness and atrophy spread to other parts of the body as the disease
progresses. Individuals have increasing problems with moving,
swallowing, and speaking or forming words. Eventually people with ALS
will not be able to stand or walk, get in or out of bed on their own, or use
their hands and arms. In later stages of the disease, individuals have
difficulty breathing as the muscles of the respiratory system weaken.
Although ventilation support can ease problems with breathing and
prolong survival, it does not affect the progression of ALS. Most people
with ALS die from respiratory failure, usually within 3 to 5 years from the
onset of symptoms. However, about 10 percent of those individuals with
ALS survive for 10 or more years.
What research is being done?
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
conducts research in its laboratories at the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) and also supports additional research through grants to major
medical institutions across the country. The goals of this research are to
find the cause or causes of ALS, understand the mechanisms involved in
the progression of the disease, and develop effective treatments.
neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells (neurons) responsible
for controlling voluntary muscles. In ALS, both the upper motor neurons
and the lower motor neurons degenerate or die, ceasing to send
messages to muscles. Unable to function, the muscles gradually weaken,
waste away, and twitch. Eventually the ability of the brain to start and
control voluntary movement is lost. Individuals with ALS lose their
strength and the ability to move their arms, legs, and body. When
muscles in the diaphragm and chest wall fail, individuals lose the ability
to breathe without ventilatory support. In most cases the disease does
not impair a person's mind, personality, intelligence, or memory, nor
does it affect a person's ability to see, smell, taste, hear, or recognize
touch. A small percentage of patients may experience problems with
memory or decision-making, and there is growing evidence that some
may even develop a form of dementia. The cause of ALS is not known,
and scientists do not yet know why ALS strikes some people and not
others.
Is there any treatment?
No cure has yet been found for ALS. However, the FDA has approved
the first drug treatment for the disease—riluzole. Riluzole is believed to
reduce damage to motor neurons and prolongs survival by several
months, mainly in those with difficulty swallowing. Other treatments are
designed to relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life for people
with ALS. Drugs also are available to help individuals with pain,
depression, sleep disturbances, and constipation. Individuals with ALS
may eventually consider forms of mechanical ventilation (respirators).
What is the prognosis?
Regardless of the part of the body first affected by the disease, muscle
weakness and atrophy spread to other parts of the body as the disease
progresses. Individuals have increasing problems with moving,
swallowing, and speaking or forming words. Eventually people with ALS
will not be able to stand or walk, get in or out of bed on their own, or use
their hands and arms. In later stages of the disease, individuals have
difficulty breathing as the muscles of the respiratory system weaken.
Although ventilation support can ease problems with breathing and
prolong survival, it does not affect the progression of ALS. Most people
with ALS die from respiratory failure, usually within 3 to 5 years from the
onset of symptoms. However, about 10 percent of those individuals with
ALS survive for 10 or more years.
What research is being done?
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
conducts research in its laboratories at the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) and also supports additional research through grants to major
medical institutions across the country. The goals of this research are to
find the cause or causes of ALS, understand the mechanisms involved in
the progression of the disease, and develop effective treatments.
If you suffer from disabling ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and can no longer work a full time work week, I would be happy to help you obtain your rightful Disability Benefits. You may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits, even if you will eventually, and hopefully, recover. I would be honored to assist you. Start by filling out the FREE online Social Security Disability Claim Evaluation Form, calling me at 201-317-0610 or emailing me at SOJLaw@ptd.net. |