Conventional Remedy to Lou Gehrig’s Disease - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): A Rare Clinical Entity

Abstract

Lou Gehrig’s disease, commonly known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is an incredibly rare clinical condition that affects about 5 in 100,000 people annually in India, making it one of the rarest diseases in the entire world. With an average age of 55, this disease typically impacts people between the ages of 40 and 70. Males are more prone to develop the condition. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting primarily the motor system, but in which extramotor manifestations are increasingly recognized. The loss of upper and lower motor neurons in the motor cortex, the brain stem nuclei and the anterior horn of the spinal cord gives rise to progressive muscle weakness and wasting. Typically, patients report difficulties swallowing or a shift in voice pitch while speaking due to tongue involvement. Initial ALS symptoms can resemble those of other neuromuscular illnesses and are completely non-specific. In this case report, we described a 44-year-old gentleman who has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in accordance to an MRI scan describing symptoms like unable to speak, reduced tongue movements, trouble swallowing, excessive salivation, swelling over the tongue and loss of tongue tone for the past three to four months. The present study discusses the clinical presentation, diagnosis, therapeutic regimen and prognosis. Both allopathic and ayurvedic oral medications with local therapeutic regimens like Jivha Pratisarana (Rubbing of dry powder on tongue) and Nasya (nasal drops of medicated oil) were employed in the patient which have satisfactory results enhancing for betterment of lifestyle.