Ketamine For ALS
ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a debilitating nervous system disorder that causes a wide range of symptoms, from muscle cramps and difficulty walking to weakness and the inability to perform daily activities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 5,000 patients in the United States are diagnosed with ALS each year. There is currently no cure for ALS, and the condition is fatal.
Florida Mind Health Center offers innovative therapy options for the treatment of chronic pain and other disorders through IV ketamine. Ketamine infusions have the potential to possibly increase the life expectancy of people living with ALS at any stage and slow the progressive muscle loss associated with poor outcomes of the condition.
Contact us today to learn more and schedule ALS ketamine infusion treatment.
What Is ALS?
ALS, or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a degenerative nervous system disorder. This progressive disorder affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to a loss of muscle control. The cause of ALS remains unknown, but some cases are inherited. ALS gradually deteriorates and kills motor neurons that are responsible for involuntary movements, such as walking and talking. That’s why some of the first signs of ALS are muscle twitching and slurred speech.
ALS Symptoms
ALS symptoms vary from patient to patient because the disorder can impact different neurons. ALS often begins in the hands, feet, or other limbs, then spread to the rest of the body. As the disorder progresses, your muscles get weaker and impact your ability to chew, swallow, speak, and eventually breathe. Other symptoms of ALS include the following.
- Difficulty Walking
- Inability To Perform Daily Activities
- Tripping & Falling
- Weakness In Your Legs, Feet, Or Ankles
- Hand Weakness
- Clumsiness
- Slurred Speech
- Trouble Swallowing
- Muscle Cramps
- Twitching
- Inappropriate Laughing, Crying, Or Yawning
- Cognitive & Behavioral Changes
Ketamine Treatment For ALS
ALS treatment with ketamine is promising — for patients with ALS, high levels of the chemical messenger glutamate in the brain and spinal cord produce an overwhelming activation of nerve cells that is toxic. Activation of these nerve cells by glutamate partially occurs through N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Researchers from the University of Kansas have discovered a potential link between ketamine and ALS treatment, as studies have shown ketamine indirectly blocks these receptors to potentially inhibit glutamate. ALS patients also have high levels of D-serine and low dopamine levels; ketamine could potentially decrease D-serine concentrations and partly activate dopamine receptors.
Ketamine Clinic In Gainesville, FL
The symptoms of ALS can be debilitating. At our ketamine treatment center, we treat patients with a wide range of different chronic conditions, including those suffering from ALS. If you or a loved one experiences a reduced quality of life due to chronic pain or mood conditions, please contact our clinic of experienced practitioners. Find relief from your condition today — contact Florida Mind Health Center to find out how our treatments with ketamine for ALS can help so you can reclaim control over your life.