Alzheimer’s affects the older generation with a gradual increase of symptoms, while ALS (Lou Gehrings Disease) usually affects adults between the ages of 40-60. In this paper you will learn information regarding the statistics, treatments, and survival rates of each of these chronic diseases.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis better known as ALS, I a serious neurological disease that causes muscle weakness, disability, and eventually death. Worldwide ALS occurs in 1 to 3 people per 100,000. In the vast majority of cases -90 to 95 percent- doctors don’t know yet why ALS occurs. About 5 to 10 percent of all ALS cases are inherited. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions. It is the most common cause of dementia –a group of brain disorders that result in the loss of intellectual and social skills. These changes are sever enough to interfere with day to day life. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer’s are both neurological diseases that affect different parts of the body. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis affects the limbs, while Alzheimer’s affects are in the brain.
Initial symptoms of ALS are obvious muscle weakness usually in the foot, leg, or arm, slurred speech, or trouble swallowing. These symptoms can be seen at the onset of ALS, whereas symptoms of Alzheimer’s often go unrecognized and undiagnosed in the early stages, because the first symptoms are often view as normal parts of aging.
There are many more symptoms to watch for if you believe you or a family member is suffering from the onset of Alzheimer’s. Some of these symptoms are memory loss, problems with familiar task, poor judgment, loss of initiative, and changes in personality. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health
Over time both of these diseases will eventually affect the ability to walk, talk, and eventually swallow.
Diagnosing ALS is done by electromyogram, this is where a fine wire is inserted into the muscle that your doctor wants to study. Nerve conduction study is where a small shock is sent to the nerve or muscle your doctor is looking at. MRI, detailed images of the brain, blood and urine test, or a muscle biopsy. A muscle biopsy is done if doctors believe you may have another muscle disease other than ALS.
Alzheimer’s is diagnosed a lot differently since there is no definite test to determine or diagnosis the disease. Some of these test are the clock drawing test, mini mental stage examination, medical and family history, a neuropsychological evaluation, and interviews with family and friends. Doctors have yet to learn exactly how to diagnose Alzheimer’s in the early stages.
Treatment of ALS is done with a medication called Riluzole, this is the only approved medication by the Food and Drug Administration. There is also physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
Treatment for Alzheimer’s include medications such as Aricept and Namenda. Namenda is the only drug to be approved to treat severe Alzheimer’s. These medications have been approved to use in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, but may soon be pull off the shelf due to the research and testing being done now on the effects that it has in the treatment. If these drugs fail the test then scientist will be back at square one, trying to find new treatments and medication to slow down the progression of the disease.
Survival rates of ALS is usually 3 to 5 years once diagnosed with the disease, with treatment you can usually add 3 months to that time. With Alzheimer’s you are looking at survival rates that average 8 years after symptoms become noticeable, but can range up to 20 years.
Both of these diseases can because by gene mutation and the body mishandling the proteins.
If you are thinking about treatment and the quality of life you should know that the medications that are approved for ALS or Alzheimer’s are medications that only manage symptoms. As of right now there is no cure for either of the diseases, but with the ongoing research and recent break through there is still hope for each patient that is diagnosed with either ALS or Alzheimer’s. Treatment is solely you to what you decide. Medications are there for you to manage symptoms and you can still live a long life if you are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. There have been recent break through with ALS, with these the survival rates will gradually begin to increase.
If you are a family member are diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Alzheimer’s, there are many support groups that are available to you. Not only you but your family may need to join to talk and understand the effects that these 2 diseases will have on you and your family. Both of these diseases can be very scary to be diagnosed with but with proper care and compassion the quality of life for the patient can be great. Remember when we are faced with an unexpected disease getting and having a support system in place while making decisions for ourselves or family members will be a helpful tool to have.

We need more research for these 2 diseases so that we can have a better quality of life, and hopefully one day be able to totally wipe out the diseases such as ALS and Alzheimer’s. ALS is being diagnosed in adults between the ages of 40 and 60, while Alzheimer’s is being unrecognized due to it being seen as the normal aging process.