Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease and is named for a famous baseball player who had the disease. It is a disease that affects the nerve cells in the spine and brain and causes your neurons (which transmit impulses from your spinal cord to your muscles. When these neurons die, you are no longer able to control your muscles and they waste away.
Early symptoms of ALS include muscle weakness and difficulty with speech, swallowing or breathing.
The cause of ALS is not completely understood and their is no cure. However, there are some drugs that are currently being tested.
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- Q What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease?
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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease affecting the body's motor neurons. As the neurons begin to die, controlling the body's muscles becomes increasingly difficult. In later stages, people with ALS lose control over basic bodily functions... Full Answer
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- Q What causes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?
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Unfortunately, doctors are not sure what causes ALS (commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease). There is some indication that in families where more than one member suffers from ALS, there may be a mutation in a particular gene. However, only about 5... Full Answer
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- Q How is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosed?
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Differential diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) sometimes requires a variety of tests to distinguish it from other diseases. Several tests using electrodes help doctors determine the level of electrical activity in the body's... Full Answer
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- Q How do I care for someone with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?
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If you know someone with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), they will almost certainly benefit from your love and support. People with ALS usually maintain the same mental abilities and emotions that they had before the disease. Being treated like a... Full Answer
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- Q Can other diseases be mistaken for ALS?
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Dr. Howard LeWine, Internal MedicineAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease of nerve cells that control muscle movement. In its severest form, it can totally paralyze a person, including the inability to breathe without assistance.The symptoms of ALS can be similar to those of... Full Answer
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- Q What are the types of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?
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Doctors have identified five types of ALS (commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease): • Classical ALS - The most common form of this syndrome. The individual experiences a progressive deterioration of the nerve cells and experience... Full Answer
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- Q What are the symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?
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Early symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) involve weaknesses of peripheral motor control. People with ALS will begin to have difficulty moving their hands and feet. They may have trouble speaking and eating. They can experience muscle cramps... Full Answer
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- Q How common is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?
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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) occurs in about 0.001 percent of the human population. A tenth of these cases are genetic; if your parent has ALS, you have a chance of getting it as well. ALS occurs most often to people between the ages of 40... Full Answer
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- Q What is the link between fasciculation and Lou Gherig's disease (ALS)?
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When someone has Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), their nerve cells die and cannot send messages to their muscles. This is because of a defect in parts of the brain and spinal cord that regulate muscle movement.... Full Answer
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- Q What is the prognosis for ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)?
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Fifty percent of patients with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) live at least three or more years after diagnosis; 20 percent live five years or more; and up to 10 percent will survive more than ten years. Many ALS patients can live longer and more... Full Answer
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