Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)

Symptoms
• Weakness
• Problems walking
• Trouble swallowing

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),  also called Lou Gehrig’s disease after the famous baseball player who died from it, slowly kills the nerve cells that tell the muscles to move. This makes it impossible for the brain to communicate with the muscles. When the nerve that stimulates and directs a muscle dies, the muscle becomes weaker and smaller, them atrophies, or waste away. As more nerve cell dies, more muscle power is lost and more functions, such as walking, standing, sitting, swallowing and breathing, are damaged.
The cause of this disease is still unknown. It usually affect adults. The bad news is no cure is available to ALS, and nothing seems to prevent it. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and improving the general condition of the person