Symptomatic care of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Until a definitive treatment is found for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, there will continue to be a need to provide symptomatic care. Experience with caring for a large number of patients has proved that symptomatic therapy can be based on rational principles. Treatment should be limited to procedures that are simple and low-cost, with low risk of serious morbidity. When all remedies fail, the physician can still provide a comforting presence and foster a dignified death.