Obtaining Proper ALS Head And Neck Support
When you have problems with your back or your neck, it is important that you are able to get the support that you need. Someone dealing with ALS or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, will often go through a variety of stages of discomfort and even pain. Understanding how this progressive disease takes its course and getting the right amount of ALS head and neck support can make a world of difference for any patient.
Often known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that works by attacking the nerve cells of both the spinal cord and the brain. This disease makes it so that the brain loses the ability to initiate and/or control muscle movement. Without having this voluntary muscle action, many patients will start to notice in the later stages of the disease that they will become completely paralyzed.
ALS generally develops within ages of 40 to 70, averaging 55 at diagnosis. It is about 20 percent more commonly seen in men than women. As age increases, the incidence of is more equally distributed. According to the It is known that military veterans, especially those who were deployed during the Gulf War, have about twice the risk of developing ALS according to the American Academy of Neurology.
About half of those affected with live at least 3 or more years post diagnosis. Approximately 20% live for 5 years or more and up to 10% live more than ten years. There is some evidence that living longer can be affected by clinical management interventions.
Patients working towards an improved lifestyle while dealing with this disease often look towards proper head and neck support. Instead of finding it difficult to try and keep the head in an upright position and constantly putting a strain on neck muscles that are already weakening, proper ALS head and neck support can give any patient the relief that they are looking for. It may be a support is needed for feeding as well.
Types Of ALS Head & Neck Support
One consequence is dropped head syndrome. Depending on individual needs and condition, there are support devices that can give the stability with the least amount of compromise regarding comfort. When you need comfortable support, you may find that a collar type ALS head and neck support device will give you what you are looking for. The collar that has proven to be the best in head and neck support is the Headmaster, that divides support between the chin and chest. There have been some who find better support with the head support system. The Savant wheelchair headrest provides unique support for the head using a headband and 3 side extensions for head and neck support. It is the wheelchair headrest for the best head control.
Inflatable collars, while designed to provide traction, offer some unique properties. Single air inflated units provide a uniform height control and support, while the dual side units afford control of right & left sides. Comfortable cloth and secure fastening allows support from the base of the shoulders to the head and chin with a custom level of control.
Often, different methods of support are used in various situations and, ultimately, it is the decision of those involved in therapy and/or care taking to individualize the method(s) of support devices. A good head control solution will be entirely dependent upon a better seating solution. If the body can be better supported and positioned, the head control issues will likely be much easier to address.
Combining Supports
Using combinations of als head and neck supports can help provide a better quality of life for the user. While better devices will certainly be available in the future, dictated by compassionate creativity and necessity, there are a number of devices making support reasonably achievable. While there are always biomechanical and circumstantial challenges, pressure concerns can be alleviated, however, a good foundation is essential in more challenging cases regarding wheelchair supports; backrest height, angling and/or rotation; thus translating this advantage directly to the ALS head and neck support.
We also have head support devices that may fit a wide range of needs for those who suffer from ALS as well as other diseases and conditions that cause lack of head control.
As indicated in a 2019 review in Clinical Spine Surgery drop head syndrome is a condition displaying weakness of the neck muscles resulting in flexion of the cervical spine, altering head posture. Patients have neck pain, difficulty eating, and impaired horizontal gaze. Treatment for starts with accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause and is often associated with neuromuscular disease.