Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. According to the ALS Association, more than 5,600 Americans are diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease each year and have a life expectancy of two to five years.
Causes
The exact cause for Lou Gehrig's disease remains unknown. This disease attacks the motor neurons (nerve cells) that control the body's voluntary muscles. The motor neurons are prevented from sending messages to the muscles, which causes the muscles to weaken and waste over time. Ultimately, individuals end up becoming paralyzed and needing a ventilator for assistance with breathing.
Symptoms
The symptoms for Lou Gehrig's disease are progressive and differ for each individual. Muscle weakness and twitching are prevalent symptoms that mostly occur in the hands and feet during the initial stages of this disease. Eventually, individuals experience slurred speech, muscular impairment in the arms and legs and difficulties breathing. In the final stages, individuals can experience paralysis.
Diagnosis
There is no singular test or procedure used to diagnose Lou Gehrig's disease. To properly diagnose this disease and to eliminate other conditions, a series of tests and procedures are done. The followings tests and procedures are used to diagnose ALS: electomyography test, which examines the nerve signals; nerve conduction velocity test, which also examines nerve impulses but can distinguish between muscular disorders and ALS; blood tests for creatine kinase levels; urine tests for hormone levels and heavy metals; spinal tap; X-rays; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); muscle biopsies; nerve biopsies; and a complete neurological examination.
Treatment
There is no cure for Lou Gehrig's disease. However, the FDA has approved the drug Riluzole to help reduce the damage to motor neurons. Other treatments are designed to treat symptoms like sleep disruptions, depression, muscle pains and constipation.
Life Expectancy
Most individuals live three to five years after being initially diagnosed with this disease. According to the ALS Association, about 20 percent of people with ALS live longer than five years, 10 percent live up to 10 years or more and about 5 percent will live longer than 20 years. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, most individuals with this disease succumb to respiratory failure.
