ALS Lou Gehrig’s disease

By Sarah Ankeny

What is ALS?

ALS is neurodegenerative disease

Degeneration of motor neurons through out the entire brain and spinal cord

Facts about ALS

ALS stands for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease

ALS affects about 30,000 Americans.

ALS usually affects adults between the ages of 40 and 70 years old.

• ALS is not contagious

Who is Lou Gehrig?

Lou Gehrig played baseball for the New York Yankees. He was the first person who was nationally recognized to have the disease. In 1939 he was forced to retire from baseball. He died in 1941 at age 38 from ALS.

Signs and Symptoms

Muscle weakness in extremitiesCramping or twitching of musclesLoss of use of arms and legsDifficulty in speechDifficulty in breathing and swallowing(in

advanced stages)

How do you get ALS?

Scientist don’t fully understand how one develops the disease.

There are some cases that has resulted from heredity. Only a small percentage of cases are accounted for.

Treatment

Unfortunately treatment for ALS is very limited. Treatments available to day are:◦ Oxygen and breathing treatments◦ Good Nutrition ◦ A drug called riluzole that is used to slow the process of

ALS.◦ Stem cell and gene therapy are on the rise and are

hopeful areas of study.

There are three forms of ALS

Sporadic- Affects most cases

• Familial- Only affects 5-10% of cases• Guamanian- During the 1950’s in Guam a tremendously high occurrence surfaced

Life Expectancy

About half live at least three or more years

• About 20% live five years or more

• About 10% live ten years or more

In Conclusion

Many people suffer and die from ALS every year. ALS is a very devastating disease. Become apart of the fight against ALS. You can help many families just by doing your part. Get the awareness out there.

STRIKE IT OUT!

Walk for ALShttp://www.alsa.org/

Be apart of the fight against ALS

The ALS Association, Kentucky Chapter

2807 Amsterdam RoadVilla Hills, KY 41017

Toll Free: 800-406-7702Local: 859-331-1824Fax: 859-331-1384

Mari Bacon - Executive DirectorPatricia Peak - Patient Services

CoordinatorJennifer Lepa - Administrative

Coordinator

In Loving Memory

Vera Camp 1930-2007