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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffAs the disease progresses, people with ALS experience one or more of the following complications:
Breathing problems
ALS eventually paralyzes the muscles needed to breathe. Some devices to assist your breathing are worn only at night and are similar to devices used by people who have sleep apnea. In the latter stages of ALS, some people choose to have a tracheostomy and use the full-time help of a respirator that inflates and deflates their lungs.
The most common cause of death for people with ALS is respiratory failure, usually within three to five years after symptoms begin.
Eating problems
When the muscles that control swallowing are affected, people with ALS can develop malnutrition and dehydration. They are also at higher risk of aspirating food, liquids or secretions into the lungs, which can cause pneumonia. A feeding tube can reduce these risks.
Dementia
People with ALS are at higher risk of developing:
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Alzheimer's disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/amyotrophiclateralsclerosis/detail_amyotrophiclateralsclerosis.htm. Accessed Sept. 18, 2008.
- Elman LB, et al. Clinical features of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 18, 2008.
- Maragakis NJ, et al. Epidemiology and pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 18, 2008.
- McCluskey L. Familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 18, 2008.
- Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Sept. 19, 2008.
- ALS in the military: Unexpected consequences of military service. ALS Association. http://www.alsa.org/files/pdf/als_military_paper.pdf. Accessed Sept. 19, 2008.
- Elman LB, et al. Diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 19, 2008.
- Galvez-Jimenez N, et al. Symptom-based management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 19, 2008.
- Choudry RB, et al. Pharmacologic treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 19, 2008.
- Why is exercise important? In: Everyday Life With ALS: A Practical Guide. Muscular Dystrophy Association. http://www.als-mda.org/publications/everydaylifeals/ch8/. Accessed Sept. 19, 2008.
- Radunovic A, et al. Clinical care of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Lancet Neurology. 2007;6(10):913-925.
- Lyon M. Reasons for living with ALS. ALS Association. http://www.alsa.org/patient/living.cfm?CFID=1025297&CFTOKEN=f8c064e9dbbd397-7B4C955C-188B-2E62-8049290070F4DFA9. Accessed Sept. 19, 2008.
- Good practice in the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Clinical guidelines. An evidence-based review with good practice points. Umea, Sweden: EALSC Working Group. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. 2007;8:195-213.
- Crum BA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 21, 2008.
