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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive disease that often leaves the sufferer unable to perform activities of daily living. As a disorder that complicates the quality of life for the sufferer, those diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis often face great challenges when working through the financial and medical issues that face them in the years to come.

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder believed to be attributed to a complication involving either chromosome 21, may be attributed to an autoimmune complication or may be related to a toxic effect. With so many theories about the cause and origin, ALS researches continued to be stumped by the profound impact this disease has on the life of the patient. As an "all encompassing" term, ALS is most commonly attached to complications involving both inherited and acquired motor neuron diseases.

As there is no effective treatment for ALS, the individual who suffers from Lou Gehrig's disease is often left with only those options used to slow progression, manage symptoms and complications and find ways in which to improve the quality of life.

As part of the management of the quality of life in the ALS patient, there will come a time when the use of a wheelchair may be necessary. The timing of wheelchair use, of course, will not be the same for every ALS patient. As a result, each patient will need to discuss the dynamics and impact a wheelchair can provide in restoring quality of life. For most occupational therapists, the rule of thumb lies in the loss of mobility in the patient. This is to say, if the ALS patient is losing the ability to engage in activities once enjoyed, a wheelchair may be able to restore the mobility lost.

With DME supply corners on virtually every street corner in the United States, it may seem a rather simple task to go out and purchase a wheelchair. But, finding the right wheelchair is far more important. So, before making this costly purchase, you will want to consult with your occupational therapist and outline the essential items you will need to make the wheelchair comfortable, efficient and offer the best options for improving your mobility.

Issues to be addressed before purchasing your wheelchair, as an ALS patient, will involve the frequency of use, whether you plan to use the wheelchair indoors and outdoors, what, if any, additional health complications you may be experiencing (such as skin disorders) and issues involving your weight and height as well as an assessment of the home you live in to be certain the door frames and flooring are equipped to handle wheelchair access.

Because ALS often leads to decrease range of motion, you may need a wheelchair that provides a greater flexibility in moving from manual use to power use. The tilt chair is also necessary to assist in mobility and to alleviate pressure from the buttocks, which often leads to skin disruption and breakdown.

Other issues to consider involve the wheelchair wheel size, the movement of the arm rests and even the power and charge capacity of the wheelchair battery. As you can see, simply purchasing a wheelchair at a local DME supply store may not be in your best interest.

After meeting with your occupational therapist, a description of your wheelchair specifications should be well outlined. You can use this spec form when visiting the DME supply store as this will provide the wheelchair sales staff with the best guide to providing the perfect wheelchair for your needs.

While timing of a wheelchair purchase will vary from one ALS patient to another, so will the specifications of the wheelchair purchase. Before going to a DME supply store, meet with your occupational therapist to work through the wheelchair dynamics and specifications you will find most beneficial to your needs and to your health. In doing so, you can increase your mobility and improve your quality of life as an ALS patient.

Original article by Christine Cadena, published on Jul 17, 2007.