HealthyCanada.com

Overview

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 3000 Canadians currently live with ALS. And two to three Canadians die of ALS each day.

Causes

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.

Symptoms

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.

Treatment

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