Lou Gehrig's disease

What is a Lou Gehrig's disease?

Lou Gehrig's disease, usually called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a chronic and progressive neurological disease that is often fatal.

Lou Gehrig's disease affects both upper and lower motor neurons, causing them to degenerate and die. As the disease progresses movement becomes increasingly difficult and ultimately swallowing and breathing are severely impaired.

Most often, the individual affected retains full control of their mind and personality, although communication becomes extremely difficult. Patients are trapped in a body that no longer responds.

Approximately a quarter of cases are bulbar onset whereby the individual has difficult speaking or swallowing. Three quarters of Lou Gehrig's disease are limb onset and the person has trouble walking, or will notice problems in balance, tripping or falling.

What are the major categories of Lou Gehrig's disease?

 

  • amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
  • progressive muscular atrophy (PMA)
  • spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)
  • progressive bulbar palsy (PBP)
  • primary lateral sclerosis (PLS)

 

What are the signs and symptoms of Lou Gehrig's disease?

Affects of ALS can be seen in any of the following: legs, arms, torso (limb onset) and/or areas above the neck (bulbar onset).

Signs of motor neuron disease include difficulty swallowing, loss of balance, inability to control legs or arms, spasticity, brisk reflexes, muscle weakness or muscle atropy.

Feel you may be affected?

Join our Lou Gehrig's disease support group

Our support groups online help individuals affected with Lou Gehrig's disease by putting you in touch with people affected by this deadly disease.

Our forum has over a thousand members that can help you through diagnosis, provide valuable insight into living with ALS, offer friendly advice and much needed support.

The task of learning about Lou Gehrig's disease and finding resources can be daunting. Let others, people that understand the complications of this disease help you along the way.

Join the forums and speak with others that are on a simliar journey with ALS.

Comments

thato amelia's picture

thato amelia

Fri, 05/26/2023 - 19:21

My first symptoms of ALS occurred in 2014, but was diagnosed in 2016. I had severe symptoms ranging from shortness of breath, balance problems, couldn't walk without a walker or a power chair, i had difficulty swallowing and fatigue. I was given medications which helped but only for a short burst of time, then I decided to try alternative measures and began on ALS Formula treatment from Tree of Life Health clinic. It has made a tremendous difference for me (Visit w w w. healthcareherbalcentre .com I had improved walking balance, increased appetite, muscle strength, improved eyesight and others. ]
thato amelia's picture

thato amelia

Sat, 07/22/2023 - 13:00

My first symptoms of ALS occurred in 2014, but were diagnosed in 2016. I had severe symptoms ranging from shortness of breath, balance problems, couldn't walk without a walker or a power chair, i had difficulty swallowing and fatigue. I was given medications which helped but only for a short burst of time, then I decided to try alternative measures and began on ALS Formula treatment from Tree of Life Health clinic. It has made a tremendous difference for me (Visit w w w. healthcareherbalcentre .com I had improved walking balance, increased appetite, muscle strength, improved eyesight and others. ]