This article will review what familial ALS is, its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatments.
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What Is Familial ALS?
ALS is a degenerative brain disease that affects motor nerve cells.
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These cells transmit information to the brain.
ALS causes nerve cells to waste away and eventually stop working.
Familial ALS means that a family has more than one ALS occurrence.
People may also have difficulty walking, and they trip or fall more frequently.
Symptoms may start in the arms, and legs, or with speech and swallowing issues.
Because the muscles that assist with breathing are also affected, patients need assistance with a ventilator.
A small percentage of individuals with ALS develop a form ofdementiaover time.
Causes
Genetic mutations cause familial ALS.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing familial ALS may require several different types of diagnostic tests.
Providers involved in treatment include physicians, nutritionists, clinical psychologists, and home care and hospice nurses.
Additionally, physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory therapists are also very involved in treating ALS patients.
About 10% of ALS patients live for 10 years or longer.
Coping
Coping with an ALS diagnosis can be very challenging.
Some people may have feelings of anxiety or sadness, which are normal.
Theirsupport group locateris a great place to start.
Familial ALS means that a family has more than one ALS occurrence.
Only about 5%10% of people diagnosed with ALS have familial ALS.
People with familial ALS often start showing symptoms at an earlier age than those with sporadic ALS.
A Word From Verywell
A diagnosis of familial ALS can be overwhelming.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The National ALS Registry.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
ALS Association.FYI: Familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) and genetic testing.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
University of Pittsburgh MDA-ALS Center.Coping with ALS.
