Signs and Symptoms of ALS Carbon Dioxide Poisoning

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease or ALS) is a motor neuron disease that attacks the nerve cells of the brain that are responsible for voluntary muscle function. When a person has ALS, the nerve cells of the brain gradually cease sending signals to muscles. This eventually causes the muscles to stop all function. As the muscles remain unused they begin to atrophy (die). As ALS progresses, muscle function fades away in the legs, arms and body until, finally, the chest and diaphragm muscles stop working. At this point the patient is unable to breathe without mechanical aid. Eventually, most ALS patients succumb to respiratory failure, most notably carbon dioxide poisoning.

Shortness of Breath

• Shortness of breath is one of the main symptoms of carbon dioxide poisoning in ALS patients. In healthy patients with normal lung function, people take a breath into their lungs using diaphragm and rib muscles. The diaphragm expands, allowing air into the lungs. Small air sacs, called alveoli, within the lungs carry the oxygen to the blood, which carries it throughout the body. Following this, carbon dioxide (CO2) is exhaled. Carbon dioxide is a natural waste by-product of the respiratory process. However, if an individual is unable to breathe effectively due to ALS, carbon dioxide may build up in the blood. This prevents adequate oxygen flow, which can be fatal. This buildup can especially occur during sleep, when nerve and muscle function further relaxes. Carbon dioxide poisoning, also known as hypercapnia or hypercarbia, results.

Fatigue

• Fatigue is another major symptom of carbon dioxide poisoning in ALS patients. A BiPAP (Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure) may be worn to help fight this fatigue by staving off carbon dioxide poisioning for as long as possible. The BiPAP machine contains a mask worn over the mouth and nose. The BiPAP helps patients breathe more comfortably by using pressure to aid in inhalation as well as exhalation. The use of a BiPAP machine can help keep an ALS patient healthier, less tired and more comfortable as the disease progresses.

Other Symptoms

• Other symptoms of ALS-related carbon dioxide poisoning include headache, poor sleep and decreased appetite. Severe poisoning can result in irregular heartbeat, unconsciousness and eventually death. If a patient with ALS is displaying these symptoms, it is imperative that medical assistance be obtained quickly.