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Functional Medicine
Approach To
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a rare degenerative condition of the nervous system with about 20,000 new cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year. ALS is also commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This condition particularly impacts the motor neurons, which are responsible for voluntary movement, and can be extremely serious and devastating in most cases. Often, the initial presentation of ALS includes difficulty swallowing or speaking, and sometimes shows up on primarily one side of the body. Some of the common symptoms of ALS include muscle atrophy, stiffness, twitching, and loss of strength, and these symptoms typically worsen over time leading to greater levels of disability and often death. Sharlin Health & Neurology is a functional medicine doctor in St. Louis that provides ALS diagnosis and treatment for residents in the area.

DEVELOPMENT OF ALS

Only a minority of ALS cases, about 5 to 10%, are thought to be genetic, while the other 90 to 95% are considered sporadic cases. These cases may arise from a host of interacting factors, including genes and environmental stressors. Exposure to toxins like heavy metals and pesticides, smoking, brain injuries, and persistent or untreated infections are some of the risk factors for developing ALS.

OUR FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO ALS

For our St. Louis ALS treatment patients, we provide a wide range of functional medicine services. Our neurology clinic is known throughout the nation for our holistic approach to ALS, and we believe in treating the whole person, not just the symptoms. We work closely with patients and their families, addressing things like detoxification, dietary support, and lifestyle changes. Under the direction of Dr. Ken Sharlin, you’ll receive a customized treatment plan that suits your unique needs.

Here at Sharlin Health & Neurology, we adhere to the principles of functional medicine in everything we do. The Functional Medicine Matrix creates the foundation of our work, using systems biology to explore cellular imbalances and uncover root causes of conditions like ALS. Our ALS treatment offered near St. Louis includes all of the Therapeutic Lifestyle Factors: movement and exercise, nutrition, stress management, sleep and relaxation, and healthy relationships.

Whether you’ve already been diagnosed with ALS or you’re currently experiencing concerning neurological symptoms, we invite you to get in touch with us right away. Ask for your free 15-minute phone consultation with our functional medicine doctor in St. Louis, and let’s see if our program would be a good fit for you!

Read Neurologist Dr. Ken Sharlin’s Blog