Symptomatic treatments in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Clavelou, P.; Guy, N.
Revue Neurologique (Paris) 162(Special Issue 2): 4s228-4s234
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-3787 PMID: 17128116 Document Number: 599500
ALS is a progressive, fatal, degenerative motor neuron disease of unknown cause. Although advances in understanding pathophysiology of ALS have stimulated the development of new therapies, most of them remain few efficient or ineffective and the main management of ALS patient, to improve quality of life by alleviating symptoms, is symptomatic treatment. This article discusses the approaches now in use to manage some of the most common symptoms of ALS including the following: spasticity, cramps, pain, laryngospasm, pseudobulbar syndrome, salivation and drooling, sleep disorders and fatigue, constipation and trophic troubles.