Motor Neuron Disease: Causes, Symptoms & Best Treatments
Motor Neuron Disease, or MND, is a serious neurodegenerative disease. World-renowned physicist Stephen Hawking battled it for decades. Here, we will discuss what exactly MND is. Why does it happen? And are there any treatments that can help?
First Thing First - What Exactly is Motor Neuron Disease?
Motor neurons are the wiring system of the human body. They carry signals from the brain to the spinal cord to your muscles. Based on the signals received, your body reacts - you can walk, talk, eat, or even breathe only when signals reach the right place.
Motor neuron disease is a disease in which motor neurons are damaged or die over time. Once they are damaged or die, your muscles cannot receive signals sent from your brain. It causes weakness, stiffness, and eventually paralysis.
The worst fact about Motor Neuron Disease is that it worsens with time.
Current Developments & the UAE Background of Advanced Diagnostics
The best and most experienced neurologists create individualized care plans that consider lifestyle, medical history, age and personal preferences of the patients. The tailored treatment plans are highly effective and comfortable.
Types of Motor Neuron Disease
There are different types of motor neuron diseases.
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Progressive Bulbar Palsy
- Progressive Muscular Atrophy
- Primary Lateral Sclerosis
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
It is the most common type of MND and is mentioned as a progressive neurodegenerative disease that damages motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. It causes weakness in muscles, paralysis, and difficulty speaking, swallowing, and breathing. The worst about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is that a patient suffering from it cannot fully recover, but if a patient contacts the best neurologist in Dubai, the neurologist can improve the quality of the patient.
Progressive Bulbar Palsy
It is a rare disease that harms the brainstem, which controls muscles for speech, swallowing, and chewing. Initially, the patient experiences problems in speaking and swallowing. The problem worsens over time. It is closely linked to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
Progressive Muscular Atrophy
It is also a rare disease in which lower motor neurons are damaged. A patient suffering from Progressive Muscular Atrophy may lose his mobility over time. However, initially, the patient feels weakness in the muscles. Progressive Muscular Atrophy can later develop into Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
Primary Lateral Sclerosis
It is a rare neurological disorder in which upper motor neurons are damaged in the brain; as a result, the patient experiences problems with voluntary muscle movements. In this disease, neurons degenerate with time, which causes stiffness, weakness, difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination. There is no cure for it, but it does not affect life expectancy. Visiting the best neurologist in Dubai can help improve the quality of life.
What Causes Motor Neuron Disease?
There is not one but many reasons that can cause Motor Neuron Disease. Here they are.
Genetics
Mutations in genes, such as C9orf72, SOD1, TARDBP, and FUS, increase the risk of MND. Also, people with a family history of MND are at higher risk.
Immune System
Increased activity of immune cells, such as microglia and astrocytes, in the brain and spinal cord releases inflammatory chemicals that damage motor neurons. Sometimes, the immune system attacks motor neurons and damages them.
Environmental Factors
Exposure to toxins, pesticides, and heavy metals or repeated head injuries can cause motor neuron disease
Cellular Stress and Oxidative Damage
Motor neurons are high-performance machines. They use energy, communicate across long distances, and manage muscle movements. Due to their unstoppable work, they are vulnerable to cellular stress and oxidative damage that causes motor neuron disease.
What Are the Symptoms?
You should visit the best neurologist in Dubai when you notice these symptoms for many days.
- Weakness in arms or legs.
- Muscle cramps, twitching, or stiffness.
- Slurred speech or difficulty swallowing.
- Fatigue and unintended weight loss.
What Are the Best Treatments Available?
To be honest, medical science has not succeeded yet in finding a cure for the disease. But, if you reach the best neurologist in Dubai, they can provide you with research-backed treatments that help manage symptoms and improve the quality of life.
Medications
Riluzole – It is the only widely approved drug for motor neuron disease.
Edaravone – It is a medicine that is used in some countries to reduce functional decline in ALS patients.
Symptom-specific drugs – your doctor may offer several symptom-specific drugs for stiffness, cramps, saliva control, and emotional changes.
However, you should never try any medicine on your own. You should visit the best neurologist in Dubai. They will examine your problem and, based on that, provide you with the best medication.
Supportive Therapies
Physiotherapy can also be quite useful to keep muscles flexible. It maximizes function, comfort, and independence for as long as possible.
Living with Motor Neuron Disease
Patients with motor neuron disease need emotional support and support from assistive technologies to improve their quality of life. Assistive technological tools, such as eye-tracking communication devices, voice synthesizers, and mobility aids, can bring independence to their lives.
At the end, I would say Motor Neuron Disease is undeniably challenging, but you should not allow it to overpower the patient with proper medical, emotional, and technological support.
