Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and loss of voluntary movement.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a rare but serious disease of the nervous system characterized by the gradual degeneration and death of upper and lower motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. These neurons control voluntary muscle movements such as walking, speaking, swallowing, and breathing. As motor neurons deteriorate, muscles become weak, stiff, and eventually waste away (atrophy). Early symptoms may include muscle twitching, weakness in the arms or legs, difficulty speaking, or problems with coordination. Over time, ALS progresses to widespread paralysis while cognitive function is often preserved, although some individuals may develop frontotemporal dementia. The exact cause is unknown in most cases, though genetic mutations account for a proportion of inherited cases. There is currently no cure, but medications, supportive therapies, and assistive devices can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a disease that gradually damages the nerve cells responsible for controlling muscles. As these nerve cells stop working, muscles become weaker and harder to use, affecting movement, speech, swallowing, and eventually breathing.
• Also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease • Progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord • Causes muscle weakness, muscle wasting (atrophy), stiffness, and paralysis • Common early symptoms include muscle twitching, limb weakness, difficulty speaking, and problems with coordination • Affects voluntary activities such as walking, speaking, swallowing, and breathing • Most cases occur sporadically, though some are linked to inherited genetic mutations • Cognitive function is often preserved, but some patients may develop frontotemporal dementia • Diagnosis involves neurological examination, electromyography (EMG), imaging studies, and other tests • No cure currently exists, but medications, respiratory support, physical therapy, and assistive technologies can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life • The disease is typically progressive and can become life-threatening due to respiratory muscle involvement
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a nervous system disease that attacks nerve cells called neurons in your brain and spinal cord. These neurons transmit messages from your brain and spinal cord to your voluntary muscles - the ones you can control, like in your arms and legs. At first, this causes mild muscle problems. Some people notice:
- Trouble walking or running
- Trouble writing
- Speech problems
Eventually, you lose your strength and cannot move. When muscles in your chest fail, you cannot breathe. A breathing machine can help, but most people with ALS die from respiratory failure.
The disease usually strikes between age 40 and 60. More men than women get it. No one knows what causes ALS. It can run in families, but usually it strikes at random. There is no cure. Medicines can relieve symptoms and, sometimes, prolong survival.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis