Surge in ALS Cases

[rcharlton]

Had a check up my Dr. Strong, my ALS specialist the other day.

He was mentioning that just through informal discussions with his colleagues in many parts of the world (Europe, Australia...) it appears that he and his colleagues have had a surge in ALS patients since the summer of 2006.

I believe that epidemiological studies are just underway to see if there has been an actual increase in the incidence of ALS.

It could simply be that the diagnostic process has improved - and that there has not been an increase in the number of patients - but that more patients are getting properly diagnosed.

I was even checking out the ALS Canada web site stats for this site - and there has been a huge increase in visits to the site since May 2005 - That may simply be word of mouth increases and more search engines picking up on the site - but it could also be that more people are being affected by ALS.

I was trying to think what might possibly have led to an increase in the incidence of ALS. If there has been an increase - it would be attributable to some environmental factors - but factors common across the global. Maybe it's related to the thinning of the ozone layer? How about GE foods?

Any thoughts?

[Al]

Hi Richard. I think the increase is a factor of two things you mentioned. I think diagnostics are getting slightly better and if you go to the top of the page and check the members list and see the number of people joining this forum from other countries. I have commented before on the number of Americans jioning but there are people from Australia and Greece as well and these are from only about 20 percent that put in their home country.

[Jerry Story]

I was trying to think what might possibly have led to an increase in the incidence of ALS. If there has been an increase - it would be attributable to some environmental factors - but factors common across the global. Maybe it's related to the thinning of the ozone layer? How about GE foods?

Any thoughts?[/quote:bf5bf3cb7d]
Perhaps the increase in rate of ALS is related to the increase in amount of MSG in foods.
[from http://www.nomsg.com/faqpf.html]
[quote]
Current levels added to food are fifty times higher than amounts used forty years ago—and the quantity continues to grow every year.

[Jerry Story]

Perhaps also the increased use of organophosphate insecticides.
http://science.howstuffworks.com/question440.htm

Perhaps also other agricultural chemicals.
From: http://www.rideforlife.com/archives/001350.html
"Soccer players are six and a half times more likely to get the disease than the rest of the population, according to a Turin University survey."
Perhaps because they come into contact with the grass, with weedkillers.

[marlo]

[quote:bf5bf3cb7d="rcharlton"]I was trying to think what might possibly have led to an increase in the incidence of ALS. If there has been an increase - it would be attributable to some environmental factors - but factors common across the global. Maybe it's related to the thinning of the ozone layer? How about GE foods?

Any thoughts?[/quote:bf5bf3cb7d]
Perhaps the increase in rate of ALS is related to the increase in amount of MSG in foods.
[from http://www.nomsg.com/faqpf.html]

Hello everyone, my name is Marlo and i am new to this site. I too have been diagnost with ALS. I'm not sure what the answer to your question is, however before i was diagnost i worked for a pharmaceutical company that formulated and manufactured health products. Theres a doctor over in the Lansing area that believes exposure to the raw ingredients is the culprit. Of course you could never prove it so i am left wonder what caused it too. I do have a question though. I do have some muscle weakness and lots of twitching ,burning, tingling and numbness in my legs and feet. I sound like i have down syndrome 80/90% of the time ,, but i don't have. However , when i can't talk right , i also can't breath real good. My question is , has anyone ever died from ALS, without lossing their motor skills first? I appreciate your time and opionon to this question. Thanks in advance.
Sincerely, Marlo