Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

by Robert G. Miller, M.D., Deborah Gelinas, M.D., and Patricia O'Connor, RN

• ISBN13: 9781932603064
• ISBN10: 1932603069
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2004-11-10
• Publisher: Demos Health

Summary

ALS is not a curable disease but it is a treatable one. Although theiagnosis of ALS can initially be devastating, the vast majority of peopleiscover new courage from within to battle this disease. The information inhis book will prove useful to people with ALS and their families, both inanaging the disease and living with it.

Author Biography

Dr. Robert G. Miller is Director of the Forbes Norris MDA/ALS Research Center at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco and Clinical Professor of Neurology in the Department of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco Dr. Deborah Gelinas is Clinical Director of the Forbes Norris MDA/ALS Research Center Patricia O'Connor, RN is the nurse case manager and coordinator of the Multidisciplinary Clinic at the Forbes Norris MDA/ALS Research Center in San Francisco, CA

Table of Contents

Foreword	v
Lewis P. Rowland, MD
Acknowledgments	vi
Preface	vii
Authors	ix
Section 1:Introduction
1. What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?	3	(12)
2. The Diagnosis of ALS	15	(18)
3. Clinical Trials and Finding New Drugs for ALS	33	(34)
Section 2: Managing the Symptom of ALS
4. A Multidisciplinary Approach to Care	67	(14)
5. Quality of Life and Psychosocial Issues	81	(10)
6. Treating the Symptoms of ALS	91	(12)
7. Nutrition and Swallowing	103	(16)
Alycia Chu, MS, RD
8. Speech, Communication, and Computer Access	119	(18)
Amy Roman, MS, CCC-SLP
9. Staying Mobile	137	(12)
10. Breathing and Sleeping	149	(8)
11. Thinking and Behavioral Changes	157	(10)
Susan Woolley Levine, PhD
12. Palliative Care	167	(12)
Section 3: Resources
13. Finding a Cure and Improving Living with ALS: How the ALS Association Helps Patients and Families	179	(18)
Mary Lyon
14. The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), ALS Division	197	(14)
Ronald J. Schenkenberger
15. Negotiating the Insurance Maze	211
With Dorothy E. Northrop, MSW, ACSW
Section 4: Appendix
Resources	231	(4)
Index	235