What is ALS and how does it affect the body?

ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing progressive loss of muscle control and eventual paralysis, impacting mobility, speech, swallowing, and breathing.

What causes Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?

The exact cause of ALS is unknown, although a small number of cases are understood to be inherited.

Is there a cure for ALS, and what treatments are available?

There is currently no cure for ALS, but the drug riluzole is approved and may extend survival. Other medications help control symptoms, and assistive devices are used for daily functions.

Home / Health / ALS: Loss of Muscle Control, No Known Cure

ALS: Loss of Muscle Control, No Known Cure

20 Feb

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Summary

ALS affects nerve cells, causing progressive loss of muscle control.
The exact cause is unknown; a small number of cases are inherited.
Currently, there is no cure, but a drug may extend survival.

ALS: Loss of Muscle Control, No Known Cure

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease impacting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. This condition leads to a gradual loss of muscle control, eventually resulting in paralysis. Individuals with ALS may experience increasing difficulties with mobility, speaking, swallowing, and breathing.

The precise etiology of ALS is not fully understood, although medical experts note that a small fraction of cases have a genetic basis. The disease typically manifests in midlife, affecting individuals between 40 and 60 years old, and is slightly more prevalent in men.