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Motor Neurone Disease

Medical Questions » Motor Neurone Disease
Name: Motor Neurone Disease
Also known as:
Insidious disease that affects the nerves that supply the muscles of the body.
Causes of Motor Neurone Disease
Absolute cause unknown. Nerves are divided into two main groups sensory nerves that feel heat, cold, touch and pain; and motor nerves that take the signals from the brain to the muscles and instruct the muscles to contract or relax. Motor neurone (neurone means nerve) disease is a steadily progressive degeneration of the motor nerves in the body, or the areas in the brain that control motor nerves. Normally affects adults between 35 and 70 years of age.
Symptoms of Motor Neurone Disease
Muscles in various parts of the body become steadily weaker until complete paralysis results, but the muscles affected, and therefore the symptoms, vary between patients. Common symptoms include difficulty in swallowing and talking, drooling of saliva, inability to cough effectively, reduced tongue movement, and weakness of the arms and legs. As the disease progresses, weakness of the muscles required for breathing cause severe shortness of breath Some muscles may go into spasms that cause jerking movements and speech.
Tests for Motor Neurone Disease
Electrical tests of the motor nerves to determine how well they are functioning, and a nerve biopsy. There are no blood tests to make the diagnosis.
Treatment for Motor Neurone Disease
No cure available, and treatment is aimed at relieving muscle spasm, assisting feeding, preventing infections, aiding breathing and making the patient as comfortable as possible. Physiotherapy on a very regular basis is essential.
Complications of Motor Neurone Disease of its treatment
Lung infections such as pneumonia develop, and often lead to death.
Likely Outcome of Motor Neurone Disease
Steadily progressive to death within three to five years.
       
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