Motor Neurone Disease

Question: Is there a cure for Motor Neurone Disease in Ayurveda? My uncle has been diagnosed with Bulbar Onset of Motor Neurone Disease - is there a cure for this disease in Ayurveda? Do you know of anyone who has taken Ayurvedic or any other alternative therapy treatment for this disease?

Answer: This pranayam therapy will help with the motor Neurone disease.It works very gradually, so keep doing it everyday.Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy,stop and resume later.Once you feel the benefits, tell others. Anulom Vilom – Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril then -keeping the left nostril closed deep breath-in through right nostril then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril. This is one cycle of anulom vilom. Repeat this cycle for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day(maximum 60 minutes in one day). You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed. Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day.(Max 60 min/day) Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.

Question: How has Stephen Hawkin survived Motor Neurone disease? after having it 40 years, whereas Don Revie died after having it for 2 years. Didn't they both have the same disease?

Answer: there are different strains of motor neurone disease, affecting patients differently. Stephen Hawkings has, to the best of my knowledge, lived the longest but I also knew a man who had had it for atleast 10 years. most of my regular patients died within a couple of years from aspiration pneumonia because of the bulbar paralysis (inability to speak, swallow and breathe effectively)

Question: Which famous footballers have suffered Motor neurone disease? I know its been reckoned that its become more common in ex-footballers.

Answer: Jimmy Jinky Johnstone died of mnd. Voted by the fans the Greatest ever Celtic player

Question: How has Stephen Hawkings managed to live all these years with that awful illness, Motor Neurone Disease? My relation only lived 15 months from diagnosis to death. It is a living hell.

Answer: I believe he's set a record with the survival rate with Motor Neurone Disease. Having an iron determination and first class care helps I suppose, the survival rate - About 7 in 10 people with ALS-MND die within 3-5 years of the onset of symptoms. About 2 in 10 survive 5 years, and about 1 in 10 survive 10 years or more. I wonder if everyone gets this... Many different problems can develop in ALS-MND. It is beyond the scope of this leaflet to list all possible situations. Most people with ALS-MND are cared for by a professional team which include neurologists, specialist nurses, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, dieticians, counsellors, etc.

Question: Who has so far survived the longest with motor neurone disease? And for how long? I heard Stephen Hawking has so far lived for 4 decades with it and hopefully will be around for a long time to come. Its a shame that hes ill but hopefully he will survive. It would be a shame to lose such a wonderful person. I doubt if anyone has survived much longer than 4 decades. thanx

Answer: im pretty sure stephen hawking is the longest living person with ALS and he has had it for 40 years.

Question: How does Motor Neurone Disease progress? I know it depends in each individual, but what symptoms happen when does anyone know? Thankyou x

Answer: Motor neuron disorders are characterized by steady, relentless, progressive degeneration of corticospinal tracts, anterior horn cells, bulbar motor nuclei, or a combination. Symptoms vary in severity and may include muscle weakness and atrophy, fasciculations, emotional lability, and respiratory muscle weakness. Diagnosis involves nerve conduction velocity studies, electromyography, and exclusion of other disorders via MRI and laboratory tests. Treatment is supportive.

Question: Struggling to deal with the death of my father, Motor Neurone Disease!? I recently lost my dad to Motor Neurone Disease, and im struggling to cope with it, he was ill for a very long time, and i was heartbreaking seeingomeone i loved so much have to go through that! i was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on what to do from now on, or could just give me some advice if they have been through it too, would be much appreciated, thanks x

Answer: First, please accept my sincere condolences. Your pain reaches out where others can feel it, too, so that your burden may be shared and lessened. I have two suggestions for coping. You could volunteer with, contribute to, or otherwise work for any groups who do research or help with programs dedicated to neurological diseases such as the Motor Neurone (or Motor Neuron) Diseases. In doing this you will help others, a thing that surely your father would have admired. Here is an address to start with: Office of Communications and Public Liaison National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institutes of Health Bethesda, MD 20892 The second suggestion stems from my own experience in my mother's death. She didn't suffer in the same ways your father undoubtedly did, but there were some things I wanted to do for her to make her proud of me and to have a richer life. Some such promises made both to her and to myself were fulfilled, but some others were not. In fact, I am still working on some of them. For her funeral I wrote a short piece that was read by the minister. I offer here only the last five words. The gist of the item was to describe a woman of tough skin but warm, soft heart--a woman whom we loved but for whom recognition seemed insufficient for her subtle greatness. Thinking of how to honor her the best way possible, I chose to live my life better. In living life better "...so doing you pay tribute." ====================== Carry on, friend. Make the world better in your father's memory, and you will be and feel better yourself.

Question: Have you ever had a family member (or someone you know) suffer from Motor Neurone Disease? I have, it was my auntie, sadly she passed away last year from the horrible condition... :-( Also,I was thinking about doing some fund-raising for the MND Association, any ideas for what I could do?

Answer: I didn't knew what "Motor Neurone Disease" was until I looked it up just now. I can't imagine someone living with this condition, I would feel terrible, but no. No one in my family or anyone I know has ever had this condition. You also mentioned about helping people with this condition, as for what can help you. Basically you need to raise money and give your profits to the organization itself, but the hard part is how will you actually collect this money without destroying yourself financially? I guess you can try to sell chocolate, or even better, you can work FOR the organization for free, providing service as help instead of cash? Pretty cool huh?

Question: what causes motor neurone disease? Even theories would be appreciated. I know a lovely woman with motor neurone disease, she can't even feed herself or go to the bathroom by herself. If you feel like saying a little prayer to ease her suffering, I would be very grateful.(Her name is Ronda) Thanks Peter

Answer: Motoneurons of both the somatic and autonomic nervous system (ANS) originate in the ventral gray column of the spinal cord. Somatic fibers innervate skeletal muscle while autonomic fibers innervate cardiac muscle of the heart and smooth muscle of the visceral organs and glands. In the somatic nervous system, the pathway of a motoneuron from the spinal cord to the skeletal muscle fiber is composed of a single motoneuron. By contrast, the analogous pathway in the ANS is composed of two motoneurons that synapse in an autonomic ganglion. Motoneurons of the ANS are thus called preganglionic and postganglionic depending on their position relative to their ganglion. Motoneurons are further classified depending on the neurotransmitter they release. Those that release noradrenaline (norepinephrine) are called adrenergic, while those that release acetylcholine are dubbed cholinergic. All motoneurons are cholinergic except for most postganglionic fibers of the sympathetic nervous system, which are adrenergic. An exception is made for sympathetic postganglionic fibers that innervate sweat glands and certain blood vessels; these fibers are cholinergic. Function The interface between a motoneuron and muscle fiber is a specialized synapse called the neuromuscular junction. Upon adequate stimulation, the motoneuron releases a flood of neurotransmitters that bind to postsynaptic receptors and triggers a response in the muscle fiber. In invertebrates, depending on the neurotransmitter released and the type of receptor it binds, the response in the muscle fiber could either be excitatory or inhibitory. For vertebrates, however, the response of a muscle fiber to a neurotransmitter can only be excitatory, in other words, contractile. Muscle relaxation and inhibition of muscle contraction in verterbrates is obtained only by inhibition of the motoneuron itself. This is why muscle relaxants work by acting on the nerves that innervate muscles (by decreasing their electrophysiological activity) or on cholinergic neuromuscular junctions, rather than on the muscles themselves. Somatic motoneurons There are two types of somatic motoneurons: alpha efferent neurons and gamma efferent neurons. (Both types are called efferent to indicate the flow of information from the central nervous system (CNS) to the periphery.) Alpha motoneurons innervate extrafusal muscle fibers (typically referred to simply as muscle fibers) located throughout the muscle. Gamma motoneurons innervate intrafusal muscle fibers found within the muscle spindle. In addition to voluntary skeletal muscle contraction, alpha motoneurons also contribute to muscle tone, the continuous force generated by noncontracting muscle to oppose stretching. When a muscle is stretched, sensory neurons within the muscle spindle detect the degree of stretch and send a signal to the CNS. The CNS activates alpha motoneurons in the spinal cord which cause extrafusal muscle fibers to contract and thereby resist further stretching. This process is also called the stretch reflex. Gamma motoneurons regulate the sensitivity of the spindle to muscle stretching. With activation of gamma neurons, intrafusal muscle fibers contract so that only a small stretch is required to activate spindle sensory neurons and the stretch reflex.

Question: Has anyone heard of any causes of Motor Neurone disease? Thank you!

Answer: Muscular dystrophy, polio (poliomyelitis), and primary lateral sclerosis are all motor neuron diseases. Although a universal direct cause has not been found, your brain sends signals to your spinal cord through motor tracts (the" anterolateral system," among others) which go out through nerves through the "ventral horn" to nerves that reach your muscles. A disease that affects motor neurons can be from a defect in your primary motor cortex (brain), any one of the motor tracts in your spinal cord, or in one of the nerves that reaches to your muscles.

Question: Are there any alternative treatments for motor neurone disease? My mother has just been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, are there any new treatments, or alternative treatments that can help slow down the disease?

Answer: Neurobiology is improving in leaps and bounds. Stay away from the "alternative" treatments, please, as they may only make the condition worse. I suffer from benign familial tremor and hypnogogic seizures. No "alternative" treatment has ever worked. Newer and medications arrive monthly. Trust in your neurologist or find one you do trust.

Question: My grandad died of Motor Neurone Disease 5 yrs ago and i still don't understand it? 5yrs ago my beloved grandad died of Motor Neurone Disease and i m still not sure what it is or why it affects ppl. does anyone know what this is or can make me understand why this may of hapened to him. then maybe i might be able to get mty life in order. as i feel his death is troubling me in some way in my day to day life. yeah the loss of a person close to you is terrible but to have bad depression and a health anxiety disorder scares me. does anyone have advice or can anyone answer my question to what is Motor Neurone Disease.

Answer: The motor neurone diseases (or motor neuron diseases) (MND) are a group of progressive neurological disorders that destroy motor neurones, the cells that control voluntary muscle activity such as speaking, walking, breathing, and swallowing.Neurological examination presents specific signs associated with upper and lower motor neurone degeneration. Signs of upper motor neurone damage include spasticity, brisk reflexes and the Babinski sign. Signs of lower motor neurone damage include weakness and muscle atrophy. Note that every muscle group in the body requires both upper and lower motor neurones to function. It is a common misconception that "upper" motor neurones control the arms, whilst "lower" motor neurones control the legs. The signs described above can occur in any muscle group, including the arms, legs, torso, and bulbar region. Symptoms usually present between the ages of 50-70, and include progressive weakness, muscle wasting, and muscle fasciculations; spasticity or stiffness in the arms and legs; and overactive tendon reflexes. Patients may present with symptoms as diverse as a dragging foot, unilateral muscle wasting in the hands, or slurred speech. The symptoms described above may resemble a number of other rare diseases, known as "MND Mimic Disorders". These include, but are not limited to multifocal motor neuropathy, Kennedy's disease, hereditary spastic paraplegia, spinal muscular atrophy and monomelic amyotrophy. A small subset of familial MND cases occur in children, such as "juvenile ALS", Madras syndrome, and individuals who have inherited the ALS2 gene. However, these are not typically referred to as MND, but by their specific names.The diagnosis of MND is a clinical one, established by a neurologist on the basis of history and neurological examination. There is no diagnostic test for MND. Investigations such as blood tests, electromyography (EMG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and sometimes genetic testing are useful to rule out other disorders that may mimic MND. However, the diagnosis of MND remains a clinical one. Having excluded other diseases, a relatively rapid progression of symptoms is a strong diagnostic factor. Although an individual's progression may sometimes "plateau", it will not recover or slow down. A set of diagnostic criteria called the El Escorial criteria have been defined by the World Federation of Neurologists for use in research, particularly as inclusion/exclusion criteria for clinical trials. Due to a lack of clinical diagnostic criteria, some neurologists use the El Escorial criteria during the diagnostic process, although strictly speaking this is functionality creep. MND in the presence of both upper and lower motor neurone degeneration is ALS. Where the illness affects only the upper motor neurones it is PLS, and where it affects only the lower motor neurones it is PMA. Progressive bulbar palsy is degeneration of the lower motor neurones innervating the bulbar region (mouth, face, and throat), whilst pseudobulbar palsy refers to degeneration of the upper motor neurones to the same region. It it possible that Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation can be used to diagnose MND. [1]Most cases of MND progress quite quickly, with noticeable decline occurring over the course of months. Although symptoms may present in one region, they will typically spread. If restricted to one side of the body they are more likely to progress to the same region on the other side of the body before progressing to a new region. After several years, most patients require help to carry out activities of daily living such as self care, feeding, and transportation. MND is typically fatal within 2-5 years. Around 50% die within 14 months of diagnosis. The remaining 50% will not necessarily die within the next 14 months as the distribution is significantly skewed. As a rough estimate, 1 in 5 patients survive for 5 years, and 1 in 10 patients survive 10 years. Stephen Hawking is a well-known example of a person with MND, and has lived for more than 40 years with the disease. Mortality results when the muscles that control breathing are no longer able to expel carbon dioxide. One exception is PLS, which may last for upwards of 25 years. Given the typical age of onset, this effectively leaves most PLS patients with a normal life span. PLS can progress to ALS, decades later.In this article, MND refers to a group of diseases which affect the motor neurones. In the United States, the term ALS is more commonly used, where it is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, after the baseball player. Although previously described by other neurologists of the 19th century, it was Jean-Martin Charcot, a French neurologist, who suggested grouping together a number of disparate conditions all affecting the lateral horn of the spinal cord in 1869. In France the disease is sometimes known as Maladie de Charcot (Charcot's disease), although it may also be referred to by the direct translation of ALS, Sclerose Laterale Amyotrophique (SLA). To help prevent confusion, the annual scientific research conference dedicated to the study of MND is called the International ALS/MND Symposium.

Question: has anyone found a cure for motor neurone disease yet? I've heard that noni juice may work and also Q10 might help. Has anyone sufferred from this terrible affliction. In the USA I believe its called LOU GEHRIGS DISEASE. Any advice would be very welcome.

Answer: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is the technical term. although there is no perfect cure, i know for a fact that there are several ways to slow down the process,

Question: Motor Neurone Disease - anyone with condition out there?? Motor Neurone Disease my mom has just been diagnosed with this, any one out there that has someone with disease or is actually living with the disease!! that i can talk to!! kee6565@yahoo.co.uk thanks xx

Answer: I am really sorry to hear of your news. My Nan died from motor neurone disease 8 years ago when she was only 64. There are different ways the disease develops - she had a very aggressive form and fortunately for her she did not have to suffer for long. Some people have it and keep going for years - look at Stephen Hawking. I am really sorry again that you have this news. I hope she gets all the care she needs xx

Question: My partner left me just when i needed her most- Motor Neurone Disease? My partner silently left me after i was referred to a Neurologist with suspected Motor Neurone Disease. She just stopped contacting me and faded away. I have been there for her through her tough times, funded remodling her house, took her on holidays and generally loved her to bits. The last contact she had with me was in the car following the visit to the Neurologist where he told me i would have to be admitted for tests. While waiting for the appointment For the Neurologist my Dr contacted me to say my blood results were in and i may also have Early renal failure. In the car she asked me to tell her of my fears - i broke down - i am terrified - She said WE would get through this - I didnt know how much she loved me - Not to worry as my worst fears might not be true. She felt everything would be be all right. That was three weeks ago. I have'nt seen her or heard from her. I know she is getting on with her life. I went to see her but could not go in - i wanted her to tell me WHY? Help

Answer: It sounds like she is having a difficult time dealing with this. Not that this is even harder on you. I think you should try to call her and talk this out. It may be she still loves you, but does not know how to help you through this. Comunication is a key ellement. Some people can't deal with pain and loss. Instead of facing it they run away. As hard as it might be for you to do this in your time of need, you need to think about the type of person she is. Ask yourself: Does she face her problems or hide? Did she take the time to listen to my bad days? Was she there for any of her own friends? How does she deal with stress in her life? How does she deal with loss in her life? The answers you get from these questions should help you answer your question of why. If she has always ran away from her own stresses, losses, and problems than that is what she is doing to now. If she never seem to really be there for anyone else, than she is selfish and does not want to deal with your issues. Be open minded and think about her fears too. She may be fearing for you too. Many people who love each other deeply don't make it through the stresses an illness can cause. It is not because they don't love each other it is due to the fact they don't know what to do for each other. Remember that while being there for you she will also have to deal with her own issues from this disease. She will have her own fears and pains to deal with and try to help you through yours. It takes a strong emotional and mental person to do this and not break down. Maybe she is just not that strong and her own fears have broken her. Try to contact her, be open, calm, and caring. You both may be going through your own hell right now. You both need to remember each others feelings. Good luck and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Question: can someone tell me about motor neurone disease? General information about it. What are the results of it? what are the effects of it? just want to know really i dont have it,but i want to know about it. do you know anyone who has it? x

Answer: The motor neurone diseases (or motor neuron diseases) (MND) are a group of progressive neurological disorders that destroy motor neurones, the cells that control voluntary muscle activity such as speaking, walking, breathing, and swallowing