Disease: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Common Name: Lou Gehrig's Disease
Age of Onset: generally between 40 and 70 years old, but it can also occur at younger ages
Duration: Throughout the patient's lifetime
Males/Females/Equal: The disease affects both males and females, but is more prevalent in males.
Cause: There is no known cause for ALS, but it can occur randomly or be inherited. Possible causes being researched include autoimmune response, a mutation to a gene on the 21st chromosome, and high levels of glutamate.
Symptoms:
- muscle twitching, cramping, and stiffness
- loss of motor control in hands and arms, loss of normal dexterity
- impaired use of arms and legs
- slurred or slowed speech
- difficulty chewing or swallowing
- difficulty walking/running, increased tendency to stumble
- fatigue
- difficulty breathing
Prognosis: The disease preogressively worsens until death. As muscles weaken and atrophy, patients eventually lose ability to stand, walk, or use their hands or arms. Because of difficulty eating, maintenance of weight becomes difficult. Anxiety or depression problems may develop. Muscles in the diaphragm and chest wall eventually fail, making a ventilator necessary for breathing. Patients usually die within 3-5 years of the beginning of symptoms, while some live over 10 years.
Treatment Options:
- physical, occupational, nutritional, speech, and respiratory therapies
- There is no proven treatment, but drugs such as Rilutek have been approved by the FDA and prolong the survival of people living with ALS.
