ALS
Strategies for managing communication and swallowing



Like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neuromuscular disease. In ALS voluntary muscle movement becomes compromised as patients struggle with declining limb strength and experience difficulty swallowing, speaking and eventually breathing. Prior to diagnoses, patients may slur their words, experience falls, or have difficulty eating.

Although ALS is fatal, its course is unpredictable, said Amy Wright, MCD, CCC-SLP, ATP, coordinator of speech therapy at Carolinas Neuromuscular/ALS-MDA Center in Charlotte, NC. "Everybody has their own version of the disease." Instead of focusing on recovery, services for declining neuromuscular abilities strive to maintain the patient's quality of life.

ADVANCE photographer Amber Bramble traveled to North Carolina to take some shots of Wright working with patients on sustaining their communication and swallowing abilities.



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