ALS: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Lou Gehrig’s Disease

Lou Gehrig   Played for the Yankees  “The Iron Horse”  Set many records throughout his career  Died because of ALS which was later named after him

ALS  Muscles and nerves slowly deteriorate.  Mind stays fully aware  Primarily targets cells in brain and spinal cord  No known cure available  No known cause (not contagious)  Many promising research programs  Muscles and nerves slowly deteriorate.  Mind stays fully aware  Primarily targets cells in brain and spinal cord  No known cure available  No known cause (not contagious)  Many promising research programs

Symptoms Tripping, stumbling, or falling Loss of muscle control Weakness in hands or arms Difficulty in speaking Trouble swallowing Difficult to breathe Chronic fatigue Frequent muscle twitching or cramping Tripping, stumbling, or falling Loss of muscle control Weakness in hands or arms Difficulty in speaking Trouble swallowing Difficult to breathe Chronic fatigue Frequent muscle twitching or cramping

Facts  Strikes men and women mostly age  5,000 people diagnosed a year  No boundaries: anyone can get it  Occurs all over the world  20% do not live 3 years, 50% of patients with ALS live 3 to 5 years, 20% live 5 to 10 years, and 10% survive 10 years or more.  Strikes men and women mostly age  5,000 people diagnosed a year  No boundaries: anyone can get it  Occurs all over the world  20% do not live 3 years, 50% of patients with ALS live 3 to 5 years, 20% live 5 to 10 years, and 10% survive 10 years or more.

Disease  Difficult to diagnose  The effects of ALS can be painful (muscle cramping, pressure sores, constipation, burning eyes, and swelling)  Assistance devices such as wheelchairs, etc to help people live with the disease  Support groups  Overall, not much can be done for treatment  Difficult to diagnose  The effects of ALS can be painful (muscle cramping, pressure sores, constipation, burning eyes, and swelling)  Assistance devices such as wheelchairs, etc to help people live with the disease  Support groups  Overall, not much can be done for treatment

Morrie Schwartz