Hi Jeremy,
Thank you for your question.
Motor Neuron Disease (MND) is the name given to the group of diseases
which affect the motor neurons that control voluntary movement,
including those controlling our breathing.
Motor Neurone Disease
http://www.cafamily.org.uk/Direct/m39.html
"People affected by MND generally experience muscle wasting and
weakness in the arms and/or legs causing difficulties with walking and
personal care. Others may develop weakness and wasting in the face and
throat muscles leading to difficulties speaking, chewing and
swallowing."
=========
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/motor_neuron_diseases/motor_neuron_diseases.htm
What is Motor Neuron Diseases?
"Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are progressive, degenerative disorders
that affect nerves in the upper or lower parts of the body. Some of
the diseases are inherited, while others may be acquired. Common MNDs
include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), progressive muscular
atrophy, and postpolio syndrome. Generally, MNDs strike in middle age.
Symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, limb weakness, slurred
speech, impaired gait, facial weakness, and muscle cramps. Respiration
may be affected in the later stages of these diseases. The cause(s) of
most MNDs are not known, but environmental, toxic, viral, or genetic
factors may be implicated."
=========
What are motor neuron diseases - ALS Information:
http://www.ucsf.edu/brain/als/diagnosis.htm
"... (ALS, commonly called Lou Gehrig's disease in the US) is the most
common motor neuron disease in adults. ALS affects both upper and
lower motor neurons throughout the brain and spinal cord. There are
other forms of motor neuron disease that affect only the upper motor
neurons, affect only the lower motor neurons or have a restricted
distribution.
What are the symptoms and signs of lower motor neuron disease?
The primary symptom of lower motor neuron disease is weakness. The
weakness usually begins in one hand, one foot, or the tongue. As
weakness becomes more severe, involved muscles become smaller, and
weakness spreads to other muscles. Cramping and twitching of muscles
are common; however, these symptoms are also common in healthy people.
Electromyography (EMG) is a test that is very sensitive in detecting
lower motor neuron disease.
What are the symptoms and signs of upper motor neuron disease?
The primary symptoms of upper motor neuron disease are stiffness,
slowness, and clumsiness of movement. The symptoms usually begin in
one limb or in the mouth or throat, later spreading to other parts of
the body. There are no standard laboratory tests for upper motor
neuron disease, but spasticity (a specific type of stiffness),
abnormally brisk tendon reflexes, Babinski's sign, and diminished fine
motor coordination are seen as diagnostic signs on examination."
========
Keywords:
motor neuron disease symptoms
MND symptoms
Best regards,
tlspiegel |
Request for Answer Clarification by
salmon-ga
on
25 Dec 2004 14:33 PST
Dear tlsp8iegel-ga,
So quick with the response, thank you, and the second question is are
there any remedies, eg acupuncture. I think this sounds rather like
the trouble he has, he had numbness in the lower leg, and hasn't eaten
anything for years except milk and alcohol, he is not alcoholic, and
the local doctor thought there was a trouble with nerves, look forward
to what you may have to say, Thank you, Jeremy M Newton from Southern
Ireland.
|
Clarification of Answer by
tlspiegel-ga
on
25 Dec 2004 15:06 PST
Hi Salmon,
I noticed in your clarification that you are requesting additional
information that was not included in your original question.
I provided the symptoms for Motor Neuron Disease which you requested
in your question.
Please keep in mind that answers are for information purposes only,
and are not intended to diagnose, treat or replace sound medical
advice from a physician or health care provider. See Important
Disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
NINDS Motor Neuron Diseases Information Page
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/motor_neuron_diseases/motor_neuron_diseases.htm#Is_there_any_treatment
Is there any treatment?
There is no cure, nor standard treatment, for MNDs. Treatment is
symptomatic and supportive. Physical therapy, drug therapy, and
assistive devices may help some individuals.
=========
Please copy and paste this link - it is a cached page -
Message Board ALS Society of Canada Acupuncture
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:WF9G2ApVgVUJ:www.als.ca/_forum/alstopic.php%3Fp%3D710+acupuncture+for+motor+neuron+diseases&hl=en
Question:
Has anyone tried acupuncture along the 'nerve pathways' to slow or
treat motor neuron disease? We know a doctor who successfully treated
a stroke patient that had been paralized, and the patient was returned
to walking again.
(See page for the postings)
=========
http://www.acu-cell.com/dis-als.html
=========
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?holding=npg&cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15217349&dopt=Abstract
=========
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/hmn/W02/feature.html
=========
http://www.users.bigpond.com/paulfran/Atkinson.htm
=========
Acupuncture, A Brief Introduction by Jeffrey A. Singer
http://www.acupuncture.com/Acup/Acupuncture.htm
(Halfway down the page)
"In the related "Motor Gate" Theory, some forms of paralysis can be
overcome by Acupuncture. This is done by reopening a "stuck" gate,
which is connected to an Anterior Horn cell. The gate, when closed by
a disease, stops motor impulses from reaching muscles. This theory was
first stated by Professor Jayasuriya in 1977. In it he goes on to say:
"...one of the factors contributing to motor recovery is almost
certainly the activation of spindle cells. They are stimulated by
Gamma motor neurons. If Acupuncture stimulates the Gamma motor
neurons, the discharge causes the contraction of Intrafusal Muscle
fibers. This activates the Spindle cells, in the same way as muscle
stretching. This will bring about muscle contraction."
=========
Scroll to middle of page for Chinese Acupuncture Formulas for Treating
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
http://www.damo-qigong.net/als.htm
=========
Motor Neuron Disease
http://www.neurology.umn.edu/neurology/clinical/als/mnd/home.html
"At this time, there is no cure for motor neuron disease. There is
currently only one medication available by prescription (Rilutek)
which has been shown in clinical trials to slow the progress of ALS a
small amount. Over the past 10 years, it appears that people with ALS
are living longer because of improved care and increased knowledge of
the disease.
There are many articles in the press and on the Internet about new
medications and home cures which may be passed on by friends. There
are many physicians and scientists carrying out research on this and
related disorders, conducting clinical trials of medications in
hospitals across the country and around the world. The Motor Neuron
Disease Center actively follows research on this disease as well as
conducting our own research. We are, therefore, in a position to offer
information as it becomes available and to answer questions.
Regular neurologic and physical evaluations are useful to assess
changes, answer questions, and address needs of the work place and
home. The Neurologist and Nurse Practitioner work closely with
physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, speech
therapists, orthotists, nutritionists, respiratory therapists,
psychologists and psychiatrists, home care and hospice."
=========
In closing, if you desire more information that was *not* included in
your original question, I suggest you post a new question asking for
this information, so that more researchers can try to help you with
the answers.
Best regards,
tlspiegel
|
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