Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS, affects the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movements. This progressive condition can ultimately affect an individual’s ability to walk, talk, breathe and chew. While there is no cure for ALS, there are ways for an individual to live comfortably and independently, ensuring the best quality of life. Complex rehab wheelchairs, such as the Edge 3 Stretto®, provide mobility, support and positioning for a person affected by ALS. Read on to learn more about the Stretto, the perfect ALS wheelchair choice!
Benefits of a 20 Inch Wide Wheelchair
The Edge 3 Stretto is the narrowest, most maneuverable power case in America. This 20 inch wide wheelchair can navigate small spaces and tight corners in the home. With an overall width of just 20.47 inches when 12.5-inch drive wheels are selected, the Stretto offers a narrower footprint. This ALS wheelchair is compatible with TRU-Balance® 3 Power Positioning Systems, which can be fully customized to meet the ever changing need of a person living with ALS. The Stretto comes standard with great features, such as LED front and rear fender lights and a USB charger. The Stretto is also equipped with independent SRS (Smooth Ride Suspension), to deliver a comfortable ride to ALS patients.
The ALS Community
When faced with an ALS diagnosis, it’s important to have the facts about the condition. Be sure to have detailed discussions with your doctor and ask as many questions as you can. If you want to do more research, make sure you are obtaining factual information. There are a lot of misconceptions about ALS. Jay Smith, the founder of Every 90 Minutes, has ALS and uses a complex rehab wheelchair to maintain a better quality of life while living with the disease. You can also get involved with the ALS Association and other organizations that are working hard to assist those affected by ALS.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Caused by Sports?
There is a common myth that ALS is caused by playing sports. There is data suggesting that football players are at a higher risk in developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis but more research needs to be done to determine how widespread the risk is for other contact sports. Incomplete research indicates that careers in professional sports may increase an individual’s risk of getting ALS due to the trauma athlete may experience to their nervous systems. Again, this research is incomplete. Also, most people who get ALS are relatively inactive. Some consider whether exercising makes ALS worse but neurologists believe that muscle activity will not worsen the condition. While exercising may make an individual with ALS tired quickly, there is no evidence suggesting that exercise speeds up the disease.
Companies Do Not Care About Finding a Cure?
Because there are so few drugs available that slow the progression of ALS, people believe that companies don’t care about finding a cure. This is a misconception. Currently, only two FDA-approved drugs exist for ALS. These drugs can only moderately control the disease. There have been many clinical trials of medications that are designed to slow ALS but none have worked. There is so much of the disease that we don’t understand. Even with these setbacks, more and more pharmaceutical companies are interested in ALS and are equipped to conduct research and clinical trials. Research in ALS is mostly funded by the National Institutes of Health and other nonprofit organizations.
Read our previous blog for more facts on ALS.
