Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neurone disease (MND), or Lou Gehrig's
disease, is a specific disease that causes the death of neurons that control voluntary muscles.
Some also use the term motor neuron disease for a group of conditions where ALS is the most common.
ALS is characterized by stiff muscles, twitching of the muscles, and the muscles gradually diminish in
size so that it can cause difficulty speaking, swallowing, and finally breathing.
the cause is largely unknown and between 5-10% of cases are inherited from one's parents. half of these
genetic cases are caused by one of two specific genes. Research and testing is still done in depth
there is no cure for ALS. Only a drug called riluzole can extend the life of about two to three months.
This disease can affect people of all ages, but usually begins around the age of 60 years and in inherited
cases it is estimated to start around the age of 50 years and the average survival from sufferers to death
is two to four years. About 10% survive more than 10 years. Most die from respiratory failure. In most
parts of the world, the level of ALS is unknown. In Europe and the United States, this disease attacks
around two to three people per 100,000 per year.
Disease described in 1824 by Charles Bellyang in 1874 began to be known as amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis. It became famous in the United States in the 20th century when in 1939 baseball player
Lou Gehrig had been exposed to ALS and then knew many people in the world
ALS is a motor neuron disease, also spelled "motor neuron disease", which is a group of neurological
disorders that selectively affect motor neurons
about 1% of all cases begin before age 25 and sufferers tend to be male,
Signs and symptoms This disorder causes muscle weakness, atrophy, and muscle spasms throughout
the body due to upper motor degeneration and lower motor neurons then Individuals affected by this
disorder eventually lose the ability to start and control all motor movements and functions of the
bladder and intestines and extraocular muscles (muscles for move the eyesCognitive or behavioral
dysfunction occurs in 30-50% of patients with ALS.