ALS
ALS stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. It is also called Lou Gehrig's disease.
Our body has muscles that we use to move our arms, legs and do other things. These muscles get messages from our brain telling them what to do.
In ALS, something goes wrong with the nerve cells in our brain and spinal cord that send these messages to our muscles. The nerve cells begin to die off and with time, we lose the ability to control the muscles we use to walk, talk, eat, and breathe.
ALS starts quietly and slowly, maybe with some weakness in an arm or leg, or difficulty swallowing. Eventually though, some people with ALS become completely paralyzed, meaning they can't move at all.
There is no cure for ALS, but doctors can sometimes help manage the symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease.
Our body has muscles that we use to move our arms, legs and do other things. These muscles get messages from our brain telling them what to do.
In ALS, something goes wrong with the nerve cells in our brain and spinal cord that send these messages to our muscles. The nerve cells begin to die off and with time, we lose the ability to control the muscles we use to walk, talk, eat, and breathe.
ALS starts quietly and slowly, maybe with some weakness in an arm or leg, or difficulty swallowing. Eventually though, some people with ALS become completely paralyzed, meaning they can't move at all.
There is no cure for ALS, but doctors can sometimes help manage the symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease.