Motor Neuron Disease (MND) is recognized by many names, such as Lou Gehrig’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This is a progressive disease in which the motor neurons are attacked and this causes the muscles to waste away. Due to this wastage, swallowing, limb movements, talking and even breathing can become extremely difficult. The causes of MND are still unknown. According to researchers, 5 to 10% of the cases are due to hereditary factors, but most causes of the disease are still unidentified.
MND can affect both children and adults and it is more common in men than in women. The rate of progression and symptoms can vary for every patient. The average life expectancy of a patient of MND is 27 months, on average. Nearly 50% of people will display changes in their language, cognition, personality and behavior as the disease progresses. They lose their ability to speak, suffer from generalized paralysis and find it difficult to swallow. Therefore, they become dependent on others for different aspects of day-to-day living.
As the disease progresses, it is essential to hire a carer for support with motor neuron disease. The patient will require assistance for their day-to-day activities. They are going to need help with everything, from eating to mobility. As far as treatment of this disease is concerned, it is currently incurable, but some medicines have shown to be effective in prolonging survival. It is possible to manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life of the patient by hiring a professional carer for their needs.