Respiratory and Nutritional Support in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an uncommon and almost invariably fatal neurodegenerative disease. There is no known cure for ALS, and only one disease-modifying therapy is currently approved. In the absence of robust pharmacologic treatment options, the value of nutritional and respiratory support in the management of the disease should not be underestimated. The primary causes of morbidity and mortality in ALS are complications from dysphagia, leading to malnutrition and respiratory insufficiency, and these require focused therapeutic attention. This article reviews the current evidence for nutritional and respiratory support in the management of ALS patients.© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014.