Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis A guide for Patients and Families [Paperback]

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, cannot be cured but it can be treated. A great deal can be done to treat the symptoms of ALS, to improve an individual's quality of life, and to help families, caregivers, and loved ones to cope with the disease. This extensively revised and rewritten new edition of the bestsellingAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Guide For Patients and Familiesaddresses all of those needs, and brings up-to-date important information to those living with the reality of ALS.

The book is completely revised throughout and contains NEW information on:

• Recently developed approaches to treating ALS symptoms
  
• Use of non-invasive ventilators
  
• Multidisciplinary team care
  
• New guidelines being developed by the American Academy of Neurology for patients with ALS
  
• The use of riluzole (Rilutek) to treat ALS
  

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosiscovers every aspect of the management of ALS, from clinical features of the disease, to diagnosis, to an overview of symptom management. Major sections deal with medical and rehabilitative management, living with ALS, managing advanced disease, end-of-life issues, and resources that can provide support and assistance in this time of need.

What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?
The Clinical Features and Prognosis of ALS
The Diagnosis of ALS
Treating the Symptoms of ALS
A Comprehensive Approach to Managing ALS
Rehabilitation Issues
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Wheelchair Selection
Managing Communication and Swallowing Difficulties
Nutrition Intervention
Pulmonary Management
Life Support: Realities and Dilemmas
Alternative and Complementary Therapies
Clinical Therapeutic Trials for ALS
The Design of Clinical Trials
The ALS Patient Care Database
Sharing the Experience of ALS: Patient and Family Support Groups
Meditation and ALS
Living with ALS: Quality of Life Issues
Familial Relationshipsl³›