Mexican sport mourns the death of Mauricio Peña

• April 28, 2024

The Mexican sport is in mourning, Mauricio Peña, former footballer of Pumas and Necaxa, died this August 31, victim of a terrible and silent degenerative disease called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (THE A).

Since the diagnosis, the former player began with the treatment of the so-called "disease of Lou Gehrig ", In memory of the American baseball player whose life was snatched by this suffering. As time passed, Mauricio's health gradually diminished.

Mauricio Peña has left a great void in those who knew him, the clear proof of this was an event held on August 18, where ex-players from the university team of the 80s and America, from the same period, played a Friendly game at the gym Juan de la Barrera, to raise funds for the benefit of this player. In this game tangible signs of affection were made by his ex-companions, friends and fans.

What is ALS and how is it diagnosed?

The ELA is the destruction progressive of the insulating sheath of the nerves of the spinal cord , which results in the gradual loss of muscle functions. This sickness it is not contagious or cancerous , but it is highly degenerative . Symptoms can be confused with neurological complications of Lyme disease. The THE A affects, mainly men over 40 years.

Unfortunately, the causes of this disease are unknown , but there are indications to think that it is an autoimmune disorder.

The diagnosis it is based on the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (the one that bathes the marrow and the brain), and electromyography (magnetic resonance can provide data on the degree of involvement and rule out other diseases).

its treatment It consists of palliative care and electrical muscle stimulation. When the patient is in an advanced stage, devices are required to facilitate the activities of daily life, while major complications are treated by medical specialists.

If the care is not adequate, new ailments may arise such as: infections respiratory and ulcers of decubitus.

It is common for patients to fall depression due to its status; but these are the cases in which family support is very important, even if it is necessary, it is valid to ask for professional help.

Today, this disease is progressive and incurable . But with proper care, patients can experience a relatively normal life until very advanced stages of the disease.