Difference Between ALS and MS (Multiple Sclerosis)

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease, while ALS is hereditary in 1 out of 10 people due to a mutated protein. MS has more mental impairment and ALS has more physical impairment. Late stage MS rarely is debilitating or fatal, while ALS is completely debilitating leading to paralysis and death.

1. Can MS be mistaken for ALS?
2. Is MSA similar to ALS?
3. How do you rule out ALS?
4. What is usually the first sign of ALS?
5. Where does ALS usually start?
6. Which is worse ALS or MS?
7. Is MSA a terminal illness?
8. How do MSA patients die?
9. Is MSA worse than Parkinsons?
10. What are the odds of getting ALS?
11. What can be mistaken for ALS?
12. What are the 3 types of ALS?

Can MS be mistaken for ALS?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) often is mistaken for multiple sclerosis (MS). In fact, they share similar symptoms and features, such as scarring around the nerves (sclerosis), causing muscle spasms, difficulty in walking, and fatigue.

Is MSA similar to ALS?

Similar to both ALS and Parkinson's, Looney describes MSA—multiple system atrophy—as something in between: a rare, degenerative neurological disease that affects the body's automatic functions (digestion, heart function) and ultimately leads to death.

How do you rule out ALS?

These typically include an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the neck, and sometimes of the head and lower spine, an EMG (electromyography) which tests nerve conduction, and a series of blood tests. Sometimes urine tests, genetic tests, or a lumbar puncture (also called a spinal tap) are also necessary.

What is usually the first sign of ALS?

Early symptoms of ALS usually include muscle weakness or stiffness. Gradually all muscles under voluntary control are affected, and individuals lose their strength and the ability to speak, eat, move, and even breathe.

Where does ALS usually start?

ALS often starts in the hands, feet or limbs, and then spreads to other parts of your body. As the disease advances and nerve cells are destroyed, your muscles get weaker.

Which is worse ALS or MS?

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease, while ALS is hereditary in 1 out of 10 people due to a mutated protein. MS has more mental impairment and ALS has more physical impairment. Late stage MS rarely is debilitating or fatal, while ALS is completely debilitating leading to paralysis and death.

Is MSA a terminal illness?

Because MSA is at this time a terminal disease with mean patient survival of 6 to 10 years after the onset of symptoms, patients and families should begin to make decisions regarding advanced directives, finances, hospice care, and the possibility of brain donation, if so desired.

How do MSA patients die?

People with MSA often develop pneumonia in the later stages of the disease and may suddenly die from cardiac or respiratory issues. While some of the symptoms of MSA can be treated with medications, currently there are no drugs that are able to slow disease progression and there is no cure.

Is MSA worse than Parkinsons?

A major clinical dilemma is whether a patient with parkinsonism has Parkinson disease (PD) or MSA, as the prognosis of MSA is much worse. Autonomic involvement is common in PD but is more variable in severity than MSA. Mild OH is relatively common in PD and occasionally severe OH can occur.

What are the odds of getting ALS?

It's rare, affecting about 5.2 people per 100,000 in the U.S. population, according to the National ALS Registry. Because of the seemingly random nature of the condition, it's hard for researchers to pinpoint who might have a greater chance of getting it.

What can be mistaken for ALS?

Beware: there are other diseases that mimic ALS.

• Myasthenia gravis.
• Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome.
• Lyme disease.
• Poliomyelitis and post-poliomyelitis.
• Heavy metal intoxication.
• Kennedy syndrome.
• Adult-onset Tay-Sachs disease.
• Hereditary spastic paraplegia.

What are the 3 types of ALS?

This breakdown occurs in all three forms of ALS: hereditary, which is called familial; ALS that is not hereditary, called sporadic; and ALS that targets the brain, ALS/dementia.