HealthyCanada.com

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rapidly progressive and fatal neuromuscular disorder that causes the degeneration of a select group of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. As the nerve cells die, people with ALS lose control of their muscles, which makes breathing, eating, and even smiling almost impossible.

Ninety per cent of those who get ALS will die within two to five years.
Approximately 3,000 Canadians currently live with ALS. And, two to three Canadians die of ALS each day.

While about 10 per cent of cases appear to be inherited, the exact cause of ALS is not known. Researchers are looking into a number of possible causes including an overabundance of glutamate in those with the disease. Glutamate is a chemical that helps in the sending of nerve signals throughout the body.

Regardless of the part of the body first affected by the disease, muscle weakness and atrophy spread to other parts of the body as the disease progresses. Individuals have increasing problems with moving, swallowing, and speaking or forming words. Eventually people with ALS will not be able to stand or walk, get in or out of bed on their own, or use their hands and arms. In later stages of the disease, individuals have difficulty breathing as the muscles of the respiratory system weaken. Although ventilation support can ease problems with breathing and prolong survival, it does not affect the progression of ALS. Most people with ALS die from respiratory failure, usually within 3 to 5 years from the onset of symptoms. However, about 10 percent of those individuals with ALS survive for 10 or more years.

There is no cure for ALS. Consequently, treatments are aimed at slowing the progression of symptoms and making people with the disease more comfortable.