A Positive Look into ALS Disease After Years of Research and Experience

While this condition can present challenges, there are ways to cope with it.

My journey into ALS started during my postgraduate studies, where I learned about neurodegenerative disorders. ALS became more real when my father was diagnosed. Instead of feeling down, I decided to learn as much as possible and stay optimistic.

The literature was a bit depressing, but some of them showed hope and optimism. There were even anecdotes in social media and health communities that some people cured the disease miraculously.

Hence, I maintained my optimism and assured my family members that everything would turn out well. In Marie Forleo’s words, “everything is figureoutable” as I explained in a previous story. Positivity is very important for our mental health, as advised by positive psychologists.

I recently came across an interesting perspective in the literature worth mentioning. It is a 2023 study in BMJ’s Neurology Journal highlighting a positive angle to the issue to give you an idea of my optimism in managing this condition:

“The co-occurrence of negative and positive factors influences the experiences of informal caregivers in ALS. It is important to explore and acknowledge positive aspects and how they develop and are sustained to inform supportive services. The cyclical adaptation identified in this study provides evidence for time-sensitive targeted supports.”

I took a break from my studies to focus on understanding ALS, which is a motor neuron disease, with optimism. It was worth the effort, as I learned a lot. Knowledge is power.

Even though I couldn’t find cure signs in the medical literature, I stayed hopeful. For two years, I read many papers to figure out what was happening. People like Stephen Hawking, who lived a long time with ALS, showed me that there was hope even in tough times.

ALS affects a lot of people, and it can be challenging for some. But I wanted to share some positive things I found out about it. As I mentioned and explained before, optimists live longer than pessimists.

ALS is a condition that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Maybe nature has a way of telling us something needs to be done.

The good news is ALS doesn’t mess with the thinking part of our brain, just the parts that control movement. For example, my father’s intellect was always sharp. He intelligently argued things with us, but sometimes, he got emotional and shed a few tears. But that was okay. Men can cry, too. Tears are essential for emotional mastery.

People with ALS might first notice weakness in their limbs, and later, they might trip and fall more. It can be tough, but families find ways to help, like holding onto someone’s arm to prevent falls. As we know, life is full of ups and downs. Everyone faces challenges and adversities. We need to learn to deal with difficulties and adapt to our conditions and environment.

Other things that might happen to ALS patients are muscle twitching, trouble with hand and arm movements, getting tired easily, and speech problems. While it’s a tough journey, there are ways to manage these symptoms.

ALS can affect anyone, regardless of race, age, or background. It is more common in men, and most people get diagnosed between 40 and 70 years old. While there’s no cure yet, there are some treatments available. They can lower the symptoms.

Treatment focuses on making life easier for people with ALS. Medicines are expensive, but they might help a bit. There are devices and mobility tools like wheelchairs to assist with daily activities. I made my father’s wheelchair like his secondary home. I also bought a massage bed and chair for his comfort. He was very grateful and always wanted to hug me to show his appreciation.

It’s important for families to talk about what they want for the future, too. Legal advice for a will can be helpful. The key point is to stay positive and keep patients' morale high. Love and support are the most important ingredients to cope with ALS.

Even though ALS can be expensive to manage for families, there are some positive developments. Governments might help financially struggling families. Some banks can also give loans. For example, my bank gave me a substantial loan to support my father to hire a full-time nurse to look after him when we were working.

Besides, new medicines are being tested, and research is ongoing. While waiting for more solutions, we must stay hopeful and supportive of ALS patients. Every bit of knowledge and effort brings us closer to a better future. I am optimistic that scientists and clinicians working together will find solutions soon.

Prevention is also important. To prevent neurodegenerative diseases, we need a healthy lifestyle. It depends on each person's personal goals, economic status, and environment. There might be other factors, too. So it is also essential to follow the advice of your family doctors and other professionals.

This is all I can say at this stage after researching ALS for over two decades. The key message is to stay optimistic, support your loved ones, and take some practical steps to improve your own health with support from professionals.

If you want to read a detailed version of this story, you may find it in the attached link. I added a more uplifting cover page, as advised by my mentor. I also reduced it from 12 to 6 minute read. Please note that the previous version might have triggering statements for sensitive people.

Why I Revised This Story

Given that the previous version of my story did not receive proper distribution (only getting 0.13372% visibility), I sought an independent review from one of my mentors, who is recognized for crafting engaging stories that have garnered significant visibility.

She is also a mentor to many new writers and provides paid advice to some of her clients. She kindly did this for me free of charge as we are long-term collaborators.

Seeking guidance on this specific story, I received candid feedback, hoping it could be helpful to other writers as I found this feedback honest and relevant to my situation. You may read it in the attached short story to gain insights.

Final Thoughts

I hope the revised version of my story proves to be more beneficial based on my mentor’s guidance. Your candid feedback as a reader is highly valued. I embrace negative criticism for my growth.

Could you please share whether you find the previous version or the new one more preferable and the reasons for your choice?

Your insights are crucial to me as I strive to create content that informs and inspires my readers.

I also embrace positivity and optimism, as mentioned in my recent story. I shouldn’t have the word negative in the title per my mentor’s advice, as its distribution and engagement performance so far was 0.1244%. So, her feedback looks more valid after analyzing the stats of this story.

I specifically linked this story regarding the impact of negative thoughts, which might trigger unpleasant emotions, as such emotions can significantly affect the formation of neurodegenerative diseases, as well documented in the literature. I covered the psychological and emotional aspects of neurodegenerative diseases like ALS in my previous stories.

Serendipitously, I came across a valuable story written by Sean Kernan related to his friend with ALS. I link the story here to give you a unique perspective.

Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.

To inform my new readers, I wrote numerous articles that might inform and inspire you. My topics include brain and cognitive function, significant health conditions, longevity, nutrition/food, valuable nutrients, ketogenic lifestyle, self-healing, weight management, writing/reading, and humor.

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I publish my health and wellness stories on EUPHORIA. My posts do not include professional or health advice. I only document my reviews, observations, experiences, and perspectives to provide information and create awareness. Be Your Own Therapist in 10 Steps.

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