Lou Gehrig's Disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive and usually fatal disorder that attacks the nerves and muscles. ALS is a progressive, disabling, usually fatal disease. Walking, speaking, eating, swallowing, breathing, and other basic functions become more difficult with time. These problems can lead to injury, illness, and other complications.

Causes

The progressive weakness that marks ALS is due to degeneration within the brain and spinal cord of specific nerve cells that control voluntary movement. About 5% to 10% of people with ALS have an inherited form of the disease. There is a possibility that there is a connection between sporadic ALS and an overproduction of toxic molecular fragments called free radicals in the body, an autoimmune response, viral factors, environmental toxins, or premature aging.

Symptoms

The first sign of ALS is often weakness in the hands, and less frequently the feet. Over a period of months or years, ALS causes increasing muscle weakness, inability to control movement, and problems with speaking, swallowing, and breathing. Other problems may include increasing clumsiness and difficulty performing tasks that require precise movements of the fingers and hands. Frequent muscle twitching may occur.

The weakness slowly spreads to the arms and legs over a period of months or years. As the nerves continue to waste away and decrease in number, the muscle cells that would normally be stimulated by those nerves also start to waste away, and the muscles weaken.

Treatment

While there is no cure for ALS, treatment can help maintain strength and independence, manage symptoms, and avoid complications for as long as possible. Treatment also focuses on providing emotional support as disability increases.
 

Physical therapy and occupational therapy can help patients learn how to work around the weakness and functional disability caused by the disease. Speech therapy can help maintain the ability to communicate as speaking problems develop. Various medications may be used to relieve symptoms and make you more comfortable.