{"id":9876,"date":"2019-08-13T06:08:55","date_gmt":"2019-08-13T06:08:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=9876"},"modified":"2021-05-05T15:01:12","modified_gmt":"2021-05-05T15:01:12","slug":"15-causes-of-lou-gehrigs-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-causes-of-lou-gehrigs-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Causes of Lou Gehrig’s Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease is a very rare nervous system disease. When it does occur, there are less than 20,000 cases that are reported in the US during the year. Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease is when the muscles because the weak and physical function are impacted. The disease can be controlled, but it can\u2019t be cured. The sooner you get treatment for it, this allows the person to have control of their movement longer. Eventually, the person will lose mobility in their hands and legs. The good thing about having Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease is that it doesn\u2019t affect the heart. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There a number of causes for getting Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. Once you know the causes, you can talk to your doctor who can educate you on what to expect and how to go about it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are eight causes of Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease that you need to know about just in case you do happen to get it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Inheriting Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease is a cause. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It has been shown that five to 10 percent of people have inherited <\/a>it, but it still should cause concern. It is a good idea to check your family history to see if anyone has had the disease. Even if someone in your family has had the condition, you still may not get it. It may skip a few generations, but you should let your doctor know. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The doctor can conduct tests in his or her office to see if you have had any of the symptoms in the past or present. For instance, if you have had problems with your hands or legs, there is a chance you could get it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are early symptoms and shouldn\u2019t be taken lightly. When you do find out that someone has had Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease in your family, don\u2019t panic. As stated before you may not even get the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Chemical imbalance can lead to Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When there are higher than normal levels of glutamate in the brain, it can be toxic to some of the nerve cells. When you have a chemical imbalance in the brain it can lead to other problems, such as depression<\/a>, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. With Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease, it can be prevented. Even if you try to take yoga or other forms of stress-reducing exercises, it can still cause Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The chemical imbalance may have been in your body since you were a child. It cannot be reversed. That is something that a person can\u2019t control. A lot of people take antidepressants to help with their mental health disorders. This medication allows a person to see things in a different light. You can take antidepressants, but the damage has already been done and there is nothing that can be done to fix it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Gene mutation can cause Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gene mutation is when there is a permanent alteration in a person\u2019s DNA <\/a>that makes up a gene. The sequence is different than what is found in others. The size of a gene mutation varies in size. It can affect just a single building block of DNA to multiple chromosomes. When this happens, there is likely disease in the body, such as Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A doctor can conduct imaging tests to see if your chromosomes are affected. On the other hand, gene mutation can happen to healthy individuals. The only way to know if you have Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease is if you have early symptoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice that you\u2019re having issues with your body that you haven\u2019t had before and the symptoms don\u2019t go away on its own, this should cause you to become alarmed and seek medical attention right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. The disorganized immune response is a cause of Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease, the nervous system<\/a> becomes affected. With a disorganized immune response, the nerve cells can cause death. The reason for this is that the immune system starts attacking the body\u2019s normal cells. If you wait too long to get treated for Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease, you could possibly die. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whenever you feel as if there is something wrong with your body, don\u2019t be afraid to seek medical attention. For instance, if you happen to exercise really hard one day and the next day have sore muscles, this is normal. On the other hand, if the muscle soreness doesn\u2019t go away in a few days, it\u2019s likely you have Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a healthy person, stretching can alleviate the soreness, but with a disorganized immune response, stretching won\u2019t do any good. It\u2019ll just cause you more soreness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Serving in the military can cause Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The reason for this is when a person is deployed, they are in a new environment. They have to handle different things that take a toll on their bodies. For instance, in 1991, the military personnel who served in the Gulf War had a higher chance of getting Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The military travel to different countries and have to deal with different factors, such as breathing in chemicals <\/a>and diseases that are widespread. When they come back to the US they have a higher chance of getting Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They won\u2019t be able to serve their country another term because Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease has settled in their bodies. They will have to get out of the military on an honorable discharge. On the other hand, some military personnel isn\u2019t affected. They can be in heavily diseased environments and not get sick. Their bodies are immune to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. High levels of exercise can cause Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you do high levels of exercise<\/a>, you end up affecting your muscles. They will become sore and over time, you won\u2019t be able to do any form of exercise. For instance, it has been shown that if you do high-intensity exercise on a regular basis with strength training, you can lose weight faster. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the process, your muscles are tearing with both forms of exercise. The same thing happens to a person who runs on a daily basis. One day, they will be doing their’re high-level of exercise and just stop all of a sudden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason this will happen is that the muscles have become weak. If they try to make any sudden movement, it could cause them to fall. Even resting for a few days won\u2019t help when you have this disease. Permanent damage has been done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Electrical and mechanical trauma can lead to Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anyone who handles electrical items on a regular basis are prone to Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. There is a chance you could get electrocuted. When a person is struck by lightning, they also have a chance of getting the disease. It is always important to wear protective clothing when handling electrical equipment. Sometimes a person at home can get shocked by electricity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though, it seems minor, over time it can lead to Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. As you get older, your muscles <\/a>become weak. By having many injuries that were caused by electrical and mechanical issues, you are susceptible. You will begin to get stiff even if you walk every single day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even after the walk, you will become extremely sore. That is the time to seek medical attention because that isn\u2019t normal, especially if you were healthy before this happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. High levels of agricultural chemicals can also cause Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When working on a farm or even in a grocery store, you\u2019re exposed to chemicals. Agricultural chemicals are easily spread when you have to work on a farm. The fruits and vegetables <\/a>have to be sprayed to get rid of bugs. You end up breathing in the chemicals, unless you have protective clothing on, but it can still get into the skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, if the wind is blowing and you\u2019re spraying chemicals over the vegetation, the chemicals can get on your face. Once it gets into your skin, you could get Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. After spraying the vegetation, a farmer has the tendency to put their hands on it to check it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They have no idea that they are weakening their muscles even if they are not doing any heavy lifting. It is highly unlikely a farmer is going to run and wash their hands after being exposed to chemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Exposure to Heavy Metals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People that receive excessive exposure to heavy metals are at risk of developing Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease. Heavy metals like cadmium <\/a>are present in trace amounts in our environment. The body cannot process heavy metals. As a result, they accumulate in our bloodstream and organs. People with high exposure rates to heavy metals may notice that they experience high blood levels of these toxins.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, after years of repeated exposure to heavy metals, the patient may start coming down with a host of adverse health conditions. Heavy metal accumulation in the brain may interfere with the average neuron production and functionality of the brain. As a result, the patient may start to develop signs of ALS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some medical experts warn about the dangers of eating foods that are high in heavy metals. Recent research into the heavy metals found in sardines shows that they are excessively high in levels of mercury, another heavy metal with a toxic effect on human health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Protein Inefficiency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients with Low Gehrig\u2019s disease find that they start to develop issues with the body\u2019s handling of proteins<\/a>. When nerve cells do not process proteins efficiently, it may result in the accumulation of proteins, causing death in nerve cells. Under most circumstances, nerve cells use protein to repair the damage. However, in patients with ALS, the nerve cells are unable to process the proteins effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the nerve cells die due to improper protein synthesis, it starts to show up in the patient\u2019s cognitive capacity. The patient may experience a steady decline in their mental health. The patient may also begin to develop issues with memory recall and decision-making as well. As the nerves continue to break down, it results in a loss of electrical signals sent to the limbs and extremities, resulting in the lameness and numbness associated with Low Gehrig\u2019s disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u2018Protein Degradation Pathway\u2019 is responsible for the development of ALS in affected individuals. This mechanism is the same pathway that experiences abnormalities in patients that are dealing with Parkinson\u2019s disease and Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Smoking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Smoking <\/a>has a toxic effect on the body. Cigarettes are a poisonous cocktail of more than 7,000-chemicals, most of which remain unstudied by medical science. You may be wondering how it\u2019s possible to get 7,000-chemicals into one cigarette. Manufacturers add the chemicals, along with tobacco and water into a vat, and let everything mix. The final liquid is known as the mother liquor.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The manufacturers than spray this liquid onto the tobacco material before sending it for processing into cigarettes. With every drag that smokers take on a cigarette, all of these chemicals enter the lungs. Some of the chemicals involved in the production of the mother liquor include ammonia and benzene, both of which have a toxic effect on the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over decades of smoking, the habit slowly wears down the telomeres at the ending of the nerves. This protective sheathing is sensitive to the presence of chemicals in the blood, and if eroded by practices such as smoking, the patient may start to develop signs of Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Exposure to Pesticides<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

All across the world, honey bees are experiencing alarming die-offs. According to reports out of Brazil, the country has lost over 40-percent of its honey bee population in 2019. The cause of these mass die-offs is due to exposure to harmful pesticides. These pesticides <\/a>create changes in the gut biomes of the bees, resulting in the death of the colonies as they feed on nectar produced by crops sprayed with pesticides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As humans, we are no safer than the bees when it comes to the effect of pesticides on our bodies. There is a multitude of private studies linking the use of pesticides in agriculture to the development of severely adverse cognitive issues in humans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farmers spray their crops with pesticides to keep the bugs off. However, in many cases, the washing procedures used by the farmers do not wash all of the pesticides off of the produce, transferring it to your dinner plate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Viruses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Viruses that cause the onset of encephalitis may also be responsible for the development of Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease in some patients. Some illnesses, such as meningitis, cause swelling <\/a>of the brain tissues, resulting in damage to the nerve endings in the brain. This damage may be permanent after the infection clears, resulting in the onset of other diseases like ALS in the patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some insect bites may also cause the onset of encephalitis in humans as well. If you get bit by an infected tick or mosquito, they could transmit diseases to you that cause swelling of the brain, such as West Nile Virus or cerebral malaria. These diseases often occur in regions of the world where it\u2019s difficult to access medical services, resulting in a severe condition that could result in adverse health complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience the onset of any disease that can cause encephalitis, you must receive treatment as soon as possible to limit the complications associated with the infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Toxin Exposure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Exposure to toxins<\/a>, such as strong solvents, may also cause the onset of degradation of the nervous system. The telomeres at the end of the nerves are a protective sheath that maintains nerve activity. Any breakdown in the telomeres may result in the onset of nervous system disorders, such as Low Gehrig\u2019s disease.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you work in an environment when you risk exposure to solvents or chemicals, you must take the necessary health precautions to avoid damage to your health. Wear personal protective equipment that shields your skin from contact with solvents. Many solvents, such as toluene, absorb readily through the skin. As these solvents accumulate in the body, it may disrupt the nervous system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wearing a respirator helps you to avoid breathing in any gas or airborne chemicals that could harm your health as well. Always ensure that your employee is offering a safe and healthy work environment, with the right PPE for the working conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Radiation Exposure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Exposure to radiation <\/a>above the normal levels is also hazardous to your health. People that fly on airlines receive a dose of radiation every time they fly on an international trip. Research suggests that flying from Los Angeles to London is the same equivalent in radiation exposure as ten chest x-rays.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, people that work in the airline industry, such as pilots and cabin crew, are at higher risk of developing radiation poisoning during their careers. Using iodine pills to mitigate the excess radiation during flights is one way to minimize the effects of the radiation on the body’s glands and organs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, continued exposure still presents a health risk. It\u2019s for this reason that all flight staff should receive an annual checkup on their bloodwork. Your doctor will be able to point out any irregularities with your bloodwork. Excessive radiation exposure also has links to the development of Lou Gehrig\u2019s disease as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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