ALS Frequently Asked Questions
What is ALS?
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and loss of voluntary movement.
How is ALS diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves neurological exams, electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies, and ruling out other conditions.
What are the early symptoms of ALS?
Early symptoms may include muscle twitching, weakness in the limbs, difficulty speaking, or trouble swallowing.
Is there a cure for ALS?
Currently, there is no cure for ALS, but treatments and therapies can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
What functions are usually not affected by ALS?
Involuntary muscles, such as those that move the bowel and stomach, are usually not affected. The muscles that move the eyes are not affected..
What is the target age group of ALS?
ALS affects all age groups and both sexes, but the disease usually strikes adults between 35 and 65 years old.
Is ALS hereditary?
About 10% of ALS patients have a family history of the disorder. Recently, a mutation in the SOD1 gene on chromosome 21 has been identified as a cause of this type of ALS.
Why is ALS also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease?
ALS first came to the wide public attention when the Hall of Fame career of Yankee’s first baseman, Lou Gehrig, was cut short by the disease in 1939. Gehrig died in 1941.