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The individual progression of ALS in the ALS app: “My progression form”
The course of ALS is very different and individual. The development of the disease is determined by the specific form of progression and the first symptoms of ALS. The spread of motor symptoms from one affected body region to a subsequent region (topical progression) and the involvement of the first and second motor neuron (systemic progression) are of particular importance for the individual assessment of the course of the disease. The development of ALS can be assessed on the basis of the topical and systemic progression as well as the initial symptoms.
The initial symptoms and progression forms are displayed in the “My progression form” function in the ALS app. The data on the initial symptoms and progression forms are transferred to the ALS app from the two studies “NfL (neurofilament light chain) in ALS” and “id-ALS – identification of genetic changes in people with ALS”.
My progression form
Your initial symptoms as well as the topical and systemic progression are displayed in the My progression area.
If you have any questions about the progression form, you can call us via the Contact page or send us an e-mail.
The initial symptoms describe where the first symptoms occurred. The individual symptoms depend on which motor neuron and which muscle group is more severely affected. The following symptoms are recorded and displayed as initial symptoms in the ALS app:
Dysarthria is a disorder of speech in its motor function. The pronunciation of words and sounds is limited, although there is no difficulty in finding the right words
Dysphagia is a restriction of swallowing due to weakness or stiffness of the tongue and pharynx. The swallowing process is impaired so that liquids or solid food components are only transported with restrictions.
Arm paresis is incomplete paralysis of the arms. A one-sided fine motor disorder of the hand is a common initial symptom that becomes noticeable during everyday movements.
Leg paresis is incomplete paralysis of the legs. Unilateral foot drop is a common initial symptom that becomes noticeable when walking. The foot can no longer be lifted effortlessly.
Hypoventilation is a reduced respiratory capacity caused by muscle weakness in the respiratory muscles. This results in a reduction in the work of breathing with the consequence of reduced air exchange in the lungs.
Speech and swallowing disorders occur simultaneously as initial symptoms.
This form describes the pattern of spread of the symptoms. The spread and development of the symptoms varies greatly from person to person. The following topical progressions are recorded and displayed in the ALS app:
In this form, the first and second motor neurons are affected with different symptoms. The damage to the first and second motor neurons spreads to the arms, legs, bulbar region and respiratory muscles.
Flail arm syndrome is a special form of ALS in which muscle weakness and muscle atrophy develop in the shoulders, arms and hands and progress slowly. The spread of motor symptoms to the lower extremities can be very delayed.
Flail leg syndrome is a special form of ALS in which the motor symptoms begin and progress in the legs. The symptoms can remain limited to the legs over a longer period of time (up to several years).
Progressive bulbar paralysis is a special form of ALS in which the motor symptoms occur in the tongue and pharyngeal region (bulbar region) and remain limited to this region for long periods of time (up to several years).
The brachial atrophic-paraspastic type is a special form of ALS in which muscle weakness and muscle atrophy of the arms and muscle stiffness of both legs occur and remain limited to these regions for long periods of time.
Axial ALS is a special form of ALS in which muscle weakness and muscle atrophy dominate in the trunk area. Affection of the trunk is noticeable through trunk instability and a restriction of respiratory function.
This form of progression describes the extent of damage to the first and second motor neurons and the resulting motor symptoms. The following systemic progression forms are recorded and displayed in the ALS app:
In classic ALS, progressive paralysis (paresis), muscle stiffness (spasticity) and muscle wasting (myatrophy) occur together. The muscle weakness and muscle atrophy are caused by a breakdown of the second motor neuron. Spasticity is caused by the destruction of the first motor neuron.
Spastic ALS is a form of the disease in which muscle stiffness (spasticity) of the extremities and trunk as well as the tongue and pharynx is in the foreground. Muscle weakness is barely detectable. In this variant, there is degeneration of the first motor neuron, while the second motor neuron is largely preserved.
Primary lateral sclerosis is a special form of ALS in which only muscle stiffness (spasticity) is detectable. Muscle atrophy (myatrophy) does not occur. Primary lateral sclerosis is caused by degeneration of the first motor neuron, while the second motor neuron remains largely intact.
Progressive muscle atrophy is a variant of ALS in which the nerve damage is limited to the second motor neuron. In this variant, progressive muscle atrophy and muscle weakness (paresis) occur. There is no damage to the first motor neuron.