Product Description
This essential guide for polio survivors, their families, and their health care providers offers expert advice on all aspects of post-polio syndrome. Based on her extensive experience treating post-polio patients, Dr. Julie K. Silver discusses issues of crucial importance, including how to find the best medical care, deal with symptoms, sustain mobility, manage pain, approach insurance issues, and arrange a safe living environment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Post-Polio Syndrome: A Guide for Polio Survivors and Their Families
A lot of Polio survivors suffer from post-polio and are having problems as they age, some do not know what is happening to them and many doctors do not know how to diagnos post-polio.I havegiven this book to several of my doctors to help them help me.I also read the book often to retain the issues and solutions (if any)for my own education of my disease/

Post-Polio Syndrome
Excellent!! A must read for anyone with this diagnosis. Helpful, inspiring and her clinic can help you live your life to it's fullest.She's affilated with Mass. General and Harvard, the best in New England. This book was a life saver for me.

Excellent resource for people with who've had polio!
Dr. Julie Silver's book is the best summary I've seen of information on post-polio syndrome. Her explanations are clear, informative, and full of information that is crucial for anyone with a history of polio. I highly recommend it.

Post Polio Syndrome: A Guide for POlio Survivors & Their Families
I HIGHLY recommend this book for polio survivor and especially for every doctor that is treating a post polio person.It is a MUST! It is very easy to read & understand & not a doomsday downer in any way. I am on my second read as I am sure I missed key points and sure enough there are jewels of knowledge & necessary information WE POST POLIO survivors must do for ourselves and make sure our specialists have full grasp of our ever changing condition.PLan to mark up your copy and buy two copies or more at the beginning as you will want to make sure anyone that is trying to help you or cares about you can be fully informed.

Facts are fascinating
This book is a must for anyone who is a polio survivor, just as is TO CATCH THE SNOWFLAKES, the story of a polio winner. ... Read more

Product Description
This up-to-date and comprehensive set of two CD-ROM discs provides a superb collection of authoritative documents on the subject of polio and post-polio syndrome. Polio is an infectious disease caused by a virus. It attacks your nervous system. In rare cases, polio infection can cause paralysis. Polio vaccination will protect most people for life. The United States and most other countries eradicated polio decades ago, except for rare cases. The disease most commonly affects young children. Poliovirus spreads in human waste. People usually get it from contaminated food or water. Symptoms include fever, tiredness, vomiting, neck stiffness, and leg and arm pain. Most infected people never have symptoms. No treatment will reverse polio paralysis. Moist heat, physical therapy and medicines might ease symptoms. Some people who've had polio develop post-polio syndrome (PPS) years later. Symptoms include tiredness, new muscle weakness and muscle and joint pain. There is no way to prevent or cure PPS. For patients, practical information is provided in clearly written patient education documents. For medical professionals, doctor reference tools and texts have detailed technical information and clinical background material. There is no other reference that is as fast, convenient, and portable - everything you need to know, from the federal sources you trust. This thoroughly researched collection presents vital information from many authoritative sources: Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the relevant institute for this disease, and others.In addition to the comprehensive disease-specific coverage, this disc set also includes our Medical Encyclopedia, a $19.95 value! The Encyclopedia presents a collection of official documents about a wide range of medical topics, diseases, illnesses, health and wellness. There is vital information from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Cancer Institute, and more. Topics covered include: major diseases, including cancer, heart and vascular disease, stroke, blood diseases and disorders, lung diseases, and neurological disorders such as dementia and epilepsy * CDC Health Topics A to Z, Foodborne Illnesses, Infants and Children, Injuries, Occupational Health, Older Adults, Women * CDC Travelers' Health - Destinations, Vaccinations, Diseases, Mosquito, Tick, Food, Water, Clinics, Yellow Book, Children, Airplanes, Cruise Ships, Special Needs, Relief Workers * Dietary Guidelines * NIH A to Z from abnormalities to X-rays.Since navigating the Internet to find additional non-governmental medical information can be confusing, we've also provided our exclusive "Guide to Leading Medical Websites" with updated links to 67 of the best sites for medical information! Built-in weblinks let you quickly check for the latest clinical updates directly from the government and the best commercial portals, news sites, reference/textbook/non-commercial portals, and health organizations.This CD-ROM has tens of thousands of pages reproduced using Adobe Acrobat PDF software. Advanced search and indexing features of the current version of Adobe Reader provide a complete full-text index. This enables the user to search all the files on the disc at one time for words or phrases using just one search command! The Acrobat cataloging technology adds enormous value and uncommon functionality to this impressive collection of medical documents and material. ... Read more

Product Description
Polio is a disease of paradoxes, the major one being that although the threat of the 'dreaded disease' ended with the Salk vaccine in 1954, many polio survivors are now experiencing the onset of 'Post-Polio Syndrome' (PPS), new but related symptoms which may include chronic fatigue, muscle weakness, intolerance to cold, and more. In his groundbreaking book, Dr. Bruno has sounded an alarming wake-up call for both doctors and PPS sufferers, including a large number who were originally misdiagnosed with something other than polio and can now pursue the medical help they need. By revealing how the treatment of polio in the past has exacerbated what we now call PPS today, THEPOLIO PARADOX provides hope and new treatment information for an entire generation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

The Polio Paradox
This book is extremely helpful in understanding Post-Polio Syndrome.Most Drs. today are just not aware of how to deal with and treat Post-Polio Syndrome.My husband had polio as a young child.He is having a lot of difficulty now with his knee and foot.This book was able to answer his many questions.Very informative and well-written book.

The Polio Paradox
Great book!Full of insightful and helpful information about the affects on polio victims about 60 years after having had polio.It helps you to understand the post polio syndrome and the symptoms that you are experiencing.

A Godsend!!!
This book should be in the hands of every PPS sufferer and every Doctor.The ignorance of the medical establishment of the treatment of PPS is absoulutely appalling.If only we had found Dr. Bruno 10 years ago...

FINALLY, QUESTIONS ANSWERED ABOUT MY SYMPTOMS
I am writing this on behalf of my husband who had Polio at the age of 7. His was non-crippling at the time and he came out of it with just a slight limp in one leg.In his early 40's he began to have unexplained symptoms, pain, muscle spasms, drawing in his legs, etc. As his ability to walk worsened, we sought help from several Neurologists as well as a Orthopedic specialist with no results~~~just tons of medicine. We told each specialist about his polio and could he possibly have Post Polio Syndrome~~~we were told there was no such thing.
While searching the internet for help, I came across Dr. Bruno's book and immediately went to Amazon to purchase it.We have since been directed to a specialist in our area for Post Polio Syndrome and feel, at last, he is going to get help.We realize there is no cure, but it is such a relief to finally be told there is such a thing as PPS and everything that can be done to make his life easier, will be done.
We highly recommend this book to anyone who may be a Polio survivor and beginning to experience symptoms.Don't wait as long as we did to find help~~~it is definitely out there!!

Polio Paradox
Excellent--well written--an easy read. This book affirms what I see clinically every day, now I can be a better support system for my patients. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Guide To Living With Post-Polio
This is probably the most comprehensive, easily understood treatise on the causes and effects of post-polio syndrome

Managing Post-Polio: A Guide to Living and Aging Well With Post-Polio Syndrome
I believe this book mostly helped in encouraging me.Sometimes I think I'm going nuts or imagening symptoms, but seeing them in print helped tremendously. ... Read more

Product Description
This sourcebook has been created for patients who have decided to make education and Internet-based research an integral part of the treatment process. Although it gives information useful to doctors, caregivers and other health professionals, it also tells patients where and how to look for information covering virtually all topics related to post-polio syndrome, from the essentials to the most advanced areas of research. The title of this book includes the word official. This reflects the fact that the sourcebook draws from public, academic, government, and peer-reviewed research. Selected readings from various agencies are reproduced to give you some of the latest official information available to date on post-polio syndrome. Following an introductory chapter, the sourcebook is organized into three parts. PART I: THE ESSENTIALS; Chapter 1. The Essentials on Post-Polio Syndrome: Guidelines; Chapter 2. Seeking Guidance; Chapter 3. Clinical Trials and Post-Polio Syndrome; PART II: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND ADVANCED MATERIAL; Chapter 4. Studies on Post-Polio Syndrome; Chapter 5. Books on Post-Polio Syndrome; Chapter 6. Multimedia on Post-Polio Syndrome; Chapter 7. Periodicals and News on Post-Polio Syndrome; PART III. APPENDICES; Appendix A. Researching Nutrition; Appendix B. Finding Medical Libraries; Appendix C. Your Rights and Insurance; ONLINE GLOSSARIES; POST-POLIO SYNDROME GLOSSARY; INDEX. Related topics include: Polio, Late Effects, Post-Polio Muscular Atrophy, Post-Polio Sequelae, Postpoliomyelitis syndrome. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Best Post Polio book to read 1st
As a post polio person I have read & bought several copies of this book & given them to my doctors & people I know that are also post polio. The key to your condition is be informed because your doctor has not got a clue what it is or what to look for. I have been diagnosed with MS, Lupus, & several other maladies even when every doctor that has ever treated me I have told I had polio as a child. Today's doctors think of polio as if you once had chicken pox, no this is far different. This book is by far the best lay person's guide to what is happening in the body & what one can do for ones self. Also, join the Internet's post polio syndrome group helps once you are well informed. ... Read more

Product Description
Dr Munsat and other physicians discuss the nature of the post-polio syndrome, its pathogenesis, treatment, and community resources. Electrophysical changes, physiology and morphology, nature of weakness, and support groups are among the issues presented. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Essential for post-polio library
I read this book in 1999 when I first began to have symptoms of new post-polio fatigue and weakness, having had my initial onset as a small child in 1951.I first researched to find the most respected experts in the field, of which there are now very few but more were available in 1999.Dr. Halstead was among the very best informed in the US.

The lifestyle tools and suggestions he recommends were invaluable in helping me to organize my life in a way that conserved energy, and additionally helped me not to feel guilty about dropping out non-essential tasks such as fully making my bed daily.I learned to save up my walking chits for more enjoyable activities, immediately started looking for a one story house (stairs take ten times the physical energy that a flat floor does!), re-organized my new house so that labor would be easier and not duplicated, started using my cane more often, even at home, took more naps and rests, and became more efficient about errand days.I also learned how to firmly but tactfully communicate with doctors, and immediately find other physicians if I was told, "we don't believe in post-polio in this office" or anything of that nature.These things I've mentioned are just a few highlights.

Dr. Halstead also has a very sane approach to exercise:Basically, Don't go for the burn, but don't just sit on the couch either (as one polio "expert" recommended at the time, "don't waste your energy with exercise," leading me to think, "OK, am I more afraid of a heart attack, diabetes, and back pain, or not being able to walk some day?"What a choice!).

This is a totally realistic - and kind - book about how to live your best life possible as a post-polio patient.

A"Tell it All' book about the problems and solutions to PP
I read this book in paperback as it was sent to me by our state PostPolio group....I was amazed that there, in one book, were the answers to some of the questions that some of the many Drs. I've consulted NEEDED in order totreat me properlyand with efficacy.It also answered many of thequestions *I* have had, but nobody ever had the answers to...a commonproblem with PPS'ers.Dr. Halstead has done us ALL a favor and a serviceby writing this.I will give the copy I just ordered to my primary carephysician, who, luckily, CARES!He in turn, will share it withothers....there is power in knowledge!Unfortunately, many of wePPS'ers, don't meet many people who DO know!

From the author of two chapters in this book:
I'd like to alert readers to a related book by one of the authors in this book. Rhoda Olkin, Ph.D., has written a book called WHAT PSYCHOTHERAPISTS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT DISABILITY that many readers of the Halstead book willfind useful and enjoyable. Do not be put off by the title: it is applicableto persons with disabilities as well as professionals.

A Must Read For All Polio Suvivors
I'm 52 years old and it has been 50 years this year since I became involved with poliomyelitis, I am in the 1-2% who suffered paralytic polio. Not knowing any better, and because my parents never treated me anydifferent than my brothers or sister. I lived what I thought was a normallife growing up. I've worked six days a week for the past 35 years, andraised two childern with the help of my wife of 32 years. In the early 80'sI began to notice that things that I used to be able to do like play catchwith my son, were becoming more difficullt. Not all at once but a littlebit at time I began to notice I was not able to reach my left arm across mybody. Now I cannot step up on the curb like I could 15 months ago. Here Iwas thinking that I had overcame this challange, but I began to notice thatmy old enemy had returned. Dr. Halstead has written the bible for all of uswho have or are receiving a return visit by polio. Thank-you Dr. Halstead Iwould like to have your e mail address so I could tell you how much yourefforts have meant to me. Listen all of my polio brothers and sisters trustme you won't regret purchasing this book.

Priceless PPS Information
Iagree with the thorough review of this book by Jack Trombadore and the other person from Baltimore: 5 stars!This book has so much good information on Post Polio Syndrome.We, Polio survivors now experiencingthese late effects, have so few resources and this book fulfills the needfor information and support so beautifully! ... Read more

Product Description
This up-to-date and comprehensive set of two CD-ROM discs provides a superb collection of authoritative documents on the subject of polio and post-polio syndrome. Polio is an infectious disease caused by a virus. It attacks your nervous system. In rare cases, polio infection can cause paralysis. Polio vaccination will protect most people for life. The United States and most other countries eradicated polio decades ago, except for rare cases. The disease most commonly affects young children. Poliovirus spreads in human waste. People usually get it from contaminated food or water. Symptoms include fever, tiredness, vomiting, neck stiffness, and leg and arm pain. Most infected people never have symptoms. No treatment will reverse polio paralysis. Moist heat, physical therapy and medicines might ease symptoms. Some people who've had polio develop post-polio syndrome (PPS) years later. Symptoms include tiredness, new muscle weakness and muscle and joint pain. There is no way to prevent or cure PPS. For patients, practical information is provided in clearly written patient education documents. For medical professionals, doctor reference tools and texts have detailed technical information and clinical background material. There is no other reference that is as fast, convenient, and portable - everything you need to know, from the federal sources you trust. This thoroughly researched collection presents vital information from many authoritative sources: Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the relevant institute for this disease, and others.In addition to the comprehensive disease-specific coverage, this disc set also includes our Medical Encyclopedia, a $19.95 value! The Encyclopedia presents a collection of official documents about a wide range of medical topics, diseases, illnesses, health and wellness. There is vital information from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Cancer Institute, and more. Topics covered include: major diseases, including cancer, heart and vascular disease, stroke, blood diseases and disorders, lung diseases, and neurological disorders such as dementia and epilepsy * CDC Health Topics A to Z, Foodborne Illnesses, Infants and Children, Injuries, Occupational Health, Older Adults, Women * CDC Travelers' Health - Destinations, Vaccinations, Diseases, Mosquito, Tick, Food, Water, Clinics, Yellow Book, Children, Airplanes, Cruise Ships, Special Needs, Relief Workers * Dietary Guidelines * NIH A to Z from abnormalities to X-rays.Since navigating the Internet to find additional non-governmental medical information can be confusing, we've also provided our exclusive "Guide to Leading Medical Websites" with updated links to 67 of the best sites for medical information! Built-in weblinks let you quickly check for the latest clinical updates directly from the government and the best commercial portals, news sites, reference/textbook/non-commercial portals, and health organizations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

This is an extremely misleading product.To have an Adobe pdf file of over 8000 pages is unbelievable.
This is a collection of pdf that has a "home-made" thin paper CD cover with all diseases in it.It is not a post-polio "toolkit".
On the CD cover it says it is "privately compiled and published by Progressive Management Not the federal government"
The information on this is extremely difficult to get out of the CD as much is URL links with no actual info on the CD.
All these CD's appear the same: just search on "toolkit medical encyclopedia". http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=toolkit+medical+encyclopedia&x=0&y=0
Please do not be duped as I was.
... Read more

Product Description
This up-to-date and comprehensive set of two CD-ROM discs provides a superb collection of authoritative documents on the subject of polio and post-polio syndrome. Polio is an infectious disease caused by a virus. It attacks your nervous system. In rare cases, polio infection can cause paralysis. Polio vaccination will protect most people for life. The United States and most other countries eradicated polio decades ago, except for rare cases. The disease most commonly affects young children. Poliovirus spreads in human waste. People usually get it from contaminated food or water. Symptoms include fever, tiredness, vomiting, neck stiffness, and leg and arm pain. Most infected people never have symptoms. No treatment will reverse polio paralysis. Moist heat, physical therapy and medicines might ease symptoms. Some people who've had polio develop post-polio syndrome (PPS) years later. Symptoms include tiredness, new muscle weakness and muscle and joint pain. There is no way to prevent or cure PPS. For patients, practical information is provided in clearly written patient education documents. For medical professionals, doctor reference tools and texts have detailed technical information and clinical background material. There is no other reference that is as fast, convenient, and portable - everything you need to know, from the federal sources you trust. This thoroughly researched collection presents vital information from many authoritative sources: Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the relevant institute for this disease, and others.In addition to the comprehensive disease-specific coverage, this disc set also includes our Medical Encyclopedia, a $19.95 value! The Encyclopedia presents a collection of official documents about a wide range of medical topics, diseases, illnesses, health and wellness. There is vital information from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Cancer Institute, and more. Topics covered include: major diseases, including cancer, heart and vascular disease, stroke, blood diseases and disorders, lung diseases, and neurological disorders such as dementia and epilepsy * CDC Health Topics A to Z, Foodborne Illnesses, Infants and Children, Injuries, Occupational Health, Older Adults, Women * CDC Travelers' Health - Destinations, Vaccinations, Diseases, Mosquito, Tick, Food, Water, Clinics, Yellow Book, Children, Airplanes, Cruise Ships, Special Needs, Relief Workers * Dietary Guidelines * NIH A to Z from abnormalities to X-rays.Since navigating the Internet to find additional non-governmental medical information can be confusing, we've also provided our exclusive "Guide to Leading Medical Websites" with updated links to 67 of the best sites for medical information! Built-in weblinks let you quickly check for the latest clinical updates directly from the government and the best commercial portals, news sites, reference/textbook/non-commercial portals, and health organizations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

not professional information
These contain the same info you can find on the internet - only on the cd it is harder to find ... Read more

Product Description
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. Reference for clinician in neurology and rehabilitation medicine on post-polio syndrome, its manifestations, diagnosis, and management. 16 contributors, 10 U.S. DNLM: Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Post Polio Syndrome
Good and easy understanding information book, Lauto S. Halstead writes and describes in practial way what is Post polio

Still essential for professionals
In the shortage of professional literature on post polio syndrome, this is probably the best book existed. It gives a plane view to a reader who would like to be more familiar with that not-completely-researched entity. Since the post polio is the field of my professional interest, I can see some minuses in the book (eg. the problem of cold intolerance is only mentioned, but not discussed). However, every book when it comes out of print, allready misses the latest findings, the same is true for Halstead`s work.

Great Information!
As far as I am concerned, it is the best book on Post Polio Syndrome.It should be must reading for all doctors...wish I could get mine to read it.Halstead's book is a gem, and full of the best information presentlyavailble abou PPS.I highly recommend it to all Polio survivors who haveor need information about PPS. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is a journal article from Social Science & Medicine, published by Elsevier in 2005. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Description:
Although previous studies have examined selected factors influencing health promoting behaviors or quality of life, the complex interplay of these variables in persons with different chronic disabling conditions has not been investigated. This study tested an explanatory model of variables influencing health promotion and quality of life originally developed with a sample of persons with multiple sclerosis in a new sample of persons living with post-polio syndrome (PPS) in the USA. The sample of 1603 persons with PPS (1123 females, 478 males and 2 unknown) completed a battery of instruments including measures of severity of polio-related impairment, barriers to health promoting behaviors, resources, self-efficacy, acceptance, health promoting behaviors and perceived quality of life. A model originally developed in a sample of 786 persons with multiple sclerosis was assessed and modified using the weighted least squares procedure (WLS) which is implemented by LISREL8. The structural equation analyses resulted in a proper solution that exhibited adequate fit: @g^2 (8, N=1549)=84.22, p<0.05; GFI=0.96, IFI=0.90, CFI=0.90. The antecedent variables accounted for 65% of the variance in the frequency of health promoting behaviors and 53% of the variance in perceived quality of life. The model test supports the hypothesis that quality of life is the outcome of a complex interplay between contextual factors (severity of impairment), antecedent variables, and health promoting behaviors. It also suggests that the relationships among these variables are similar in samples of persons with two different chronic conditions. Further research using a qualitative approach is needed to clarify other contributors to quality of life in persons with post-polio syndrome. ... Read more

Product Description
Poliomyelitis. Poliovirus, Post- polio syndrome, Poliomyelitis eradication, History of poliomyelitis, List of poliomyelitis, survivors, Franklin D. Roosevelt's paralytic illness, March of Dimes ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A MUST Read for anyone that has had polio at one time!
Here is THE book that is a MUST read for the person faced with post polio syndrome, their families and certainly every doctor attempting to properly treat a PPS person.If you had polio as a child and don't think you have any problems now 40 yrs. later, you may be very surprised what you read & learn about yourself.Some lights may go on and connections relate to medical issues you have been dealing with but never dreamed it could be connected to having polio as a child.This is THE problem, doctors have little to no information about PPS and therefore misdiagnose or certainly don't recognize the true cause & correct treatment.Persons live for years with unanswered questions and truly suffer with no help in sight.First inform yourself if you had polio, then alert the doctors that have or are treating you. This is not just a note on your medical records that you had polio as a child, to be ignored as a past issue. If you need to find specialists, be your own advocate, because most everything the medical community says is misinformed about PPS.The general attitude is that polio was eradicated but there are still people getting polio from the vaccine.No one ever imagined that residual effects 40 yrs. later could put you in a wheelchair and live with chronic debilitating pain. You may be surprised to find out how PPS has affected your brain, & what comes with that now. Do this for yourself, read this book if you relate to any of this review. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Nursing Homes, published by Thomson Gale on November 1, 2007. The length of the article is 1860 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Polio: managing its late effects in the nursing home; Are you capturing the rehabilitative minutes you earn for post-polio syndrome?(featurearticle)
Author: Susan Schoenbeck
Publication: Nursing Homes (Magazine/Journal)
Date: November 1, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 56Issue: 11Page: 32(3)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Motor Neurone Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Post-Polio Syndrome, Survival Motor Neuron Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Split Hand Syndrome, Primary Lateral Sclerosis, Monomelic Amyotrophy. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 68. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (abbreviated ALS, also referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease) is a form of motor neuron disease. ALS is a progressive, fatal, neurodegenerative disease caused by the degeneration of motor neurons, the nerve cells in the central nervous system that control voluntary muscle movement. The condition is often called Lou Gehrig's Disease in North America, after the famous New York Yankees baseball player who was diagnosed with the disease in 1939 and died from it in 1941, at age thirty-seven. Today, renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, British historian Tony Judt, guitar virtuoso Jason Becker, former NFL player O.J. Brigance, and bass virtuoso Mike Porcaro are among the best-known living ALS patients. The disorder causes muscle weakness and atrophy throughout the body as both the upper and lower motor neurons degenerate, ceasing to send messages to muscles. Unable to function, the muscles gradually weaken, develop fasciculations (twitches) because of denervation, and eventually atrophy because of that denervation. The patient may ultimately lose the ability to initiate and control all voluntary movement; bladder and bowel sphincters and the muscles responsible for eye movement are usually (but not always) spared. Cognitive function is generally spared except in certain situations such as when ALS is associated with frontotemporal dementia. However, there are reports of more subtle cognitive changes of the frontotemporal type in many patients when detailed neuropsychological testing is employe...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=19375577 ... Read more