How to care for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis patients
What topics need to be addressed when caring for patients with ALS?
• Possible use of disease-modifying drugs (riluzole)
• Cognitive and behavioral screening
• Symptomatic treatment of pseudobulbar palsy, sialorrhea, etc.
• Pulmonary function testing, discussion/use of noninvasive ventilation (bilevel positive airway pressure [BiPAP])
• Addressing dysphagia, weight loss, and other nutrition. Considering PEG tube placement
• Considering the need for communication support
• Discussion of wishes for end-of-life care
