ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease)
Key takeaways
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It causes a worsening loss of voluntary muscle control, which affects movements like talking, swallowing, and walking.
There is currently no cure for ALS. However, treatments are available that can reduce symptoms and may help people with ALS to live longer.
ALS eventually results in loss of life. People typically live with ALS for 2 to 5 years. Some people will live longer.
There is currently no cure for ALS. However, treatments are available that can reduce symptoms and may help people with ALS to live longer.
The famous baseball player Lou Gehrig developed symptoms of the condition in the 1930s, and that's why it's also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
What are the causes of ALS?
ALS can be classified as either sporadic or familial. Most cases are sporadic. That means no specific cause is known.
Familial ALS happens when the condition is inherited from a parent. Only about 5% to 10% of ALS cases are familial.
Other causes of ALS aren't well understood. Some factors that scientists think might contribute to ALS include:
free radical damage
imbalances in the chemical messenger glutamate
protein abnormalities, like misfolding
nerve inflammation
Military veterans are thought to be at higher risk for ALS, though the reasons for this are unclear. Some research suggests that smoking is a risk factor for ALS. Research on other possible environmental triggers is ongoing.
Demographic factors
Age: The likelihood of receiving an ALS diagnosis increases with age. The onset of symptoms in ALS usually occurs between the ages of 55 and 75, although symptoms can occur earlier.
Sex: According to statistics that group people into male and female categories, ALS is more common among males than females.
Race and ethnicity: Research suggests that white people are more likely to receive an ALS diagnosis than people of other racial or ethnic groups. According to the National Organization for Rare Diseases, more studies are needed to understand who's affected by ALS globally.
How often does ALS occur?
Every year, about 5,000 people in the United States receive an ALS diagnosis. Around 30,000 people in the U.S. are currently living with the condition. ALS affects people in all racial, social, and economic groups.
A 2016 study suggests that ALS is becoming more common. This may be because the population is aging.
What are the symptoms of ALS?
Both sporadic and familial ALS are associated with a progressive loss of motor neurons. As motor neurons become damaged, a person with ALS will start to have difficulty with voluntary movements in their limbs, mouth, or throat.
There are two main types of ALS. Each one is associated with a different set of symptoms at the time of diagnosis.
Limb onset
Around 70% of people with ALS have what's known as 'limb onset' ALS. This means that symptoms first appear in the arms or legs.
Symptoms in the arms (upper limb onset) include:
weakness in hands
stiff arms or hands
cramps in arms or hands
loss of dexterity, fumbling, or dropping objects
Symptoms in the legs (lower limb onset) include:
trouble with walking or running
tripping or stumbling
difficulty lifting the front half of the foot when walking, known as foot drop
Early symptoms are usually in either the arms or the legs, not both. Limb onset ALS usually progresses more slowly than other types.
Bulbar onset
'Bulbar onset' ALS is less common. In this type, ALS first affects a part of the brainstem known as the corticobulbar area. Symptoms include difficulty with speech and swallowing and muscle spasms in the face or throat.
There are also rare sub-types of ALS that are defined by other symptoms present at the time of diagnosis. These include respiratory onset ALS when difficulties with the breathing muscles are the earliest sign of illness.
Upper and lower motor neurons
You have two main types of motor neurons in your body: upper motor neurons and lower motor neurons. They work together to allow your brain to communicate with your muscles to make voluntary movements possible.
For example, when you decide to move your finger, your upper motor neurons first send signals from your brain to your spinal cord. Then, lower motor neurons carry signals from the spinal cord to the muscles that move your finger.
By definition, ALS affects both upper and lower motor neurons. But the condition may start by affecting one type more than the other, either the upper or the lower. Each type can result in different symptoms.
Symptoms of upper motor neuron disease include:
involuntary rhythmic muscle contractions, known as clonus
rigid muscles (spacticity)
overactive reflexes
Symptoms of lower motor neuron disease include:
limp (flaccid) muscles
muscle atrophy
spontaneous twitching
Weakness happens with both types of motor neuron disease.
Progression
The earliest symptoms of ALS may include small muscle twitches in your:
mouth
throat
face
limbs
But it's typical to notice muscle twitches from time to time. They're usually not a cause for concern. In early ALS, muscle twitches are likely to become more frequent over time.
Other early signs of ALS may include difficulty performing some everyday tasks. This could mean difficulty climbing stairs or getting up from a chair. It's also possible to have difficulty speaking or swallowing, or weakness in the arms, hands, or legs. You may also notice cramping.
Early symptoms tend to be asymmetrical, which means they only happen on one side.
As the condition progresses, the symptoms generally spread to both sides of the body. Muscle weakness, weight loss, and muscle atrophy are common. In the late stages of ALS, paralysis of the muscles occurs. Paralysis means the complete loss of voluntary movements.
ALS doesn't affect your senses, like seeing or hearing. Bowel and bladder control can be affected in later stages of the disease.
ALS is a terminal illness, which means that it eventually results in loss of life. People typically live with ALS for 2 to 5 years. Some people will live longer. Approximately 20% of people live with ALS for over 5 years, and 10% for more than 10 years. The most common life-ending event in ALS is respiratory failure.
What body systems are affected by ALS?
While ALS specifically affects the motor neurons of the brain and spinal cord, other body systems that rely on these neurons will be impacted as the disease progresses. As the ability to control voluntary muscles declines, functions like breathing, speaking, and moving are affected.
ALS progresses differently for everyone. A doctor or neurologist who specializes in the condition can help those with ALS understand what to expect.
ALS complications
ALS can affect many aspects of daily functioning. These include:
Respiratory system and breathing
ALS causes the muscles controlling breathing to weaken over time. Breathing is likely to become more laborious. As the respiratory system weakens, the risk of pneumonia increases. Eventually, as the condition progresses, a ventilator may be required to assist breathing.
Speaking
Muscles in the mouth, jaw, and throat tend to lose strength and mobility. Because of this, it can become hard for a person with ALS to make themselves understood when speaking. In severe cases, some people lose the ability to produce speech.
Eating
ALS usually affects chewing and swallowing, making eating more difficult. Choking is a possible complication.
Weight loss and malnutrition
Because eating can become challenging and ALS may cause people to burn calories more quickly, it's common to experience rapid weight loss and undernutrition.
Moving
Standing and walking will generally become more difficult over time. Some people will have trouble moving their arms.
The changes will happen differently for each person. But in general, more muscles will be affected, and the loss of function will become more severe as ALS progresses. Pressure sores are a possible complication as moving becomes harder.
Cognition
ALS causes cognitive changes in up to 50% of cases. These changes can affect language and executive function. Dementia is possible but less common. In ALS, physical changes to the brain can also cause uncontrollable laughing and crying, known as emotional lability.
Some variants of ALS are more commonly associated with cognitive changes, like ALS-frontotemporal spectrum disorder.
Mood
It's typical to feel a range of emotions when coping with a serious illness. Managing symptoms and life changes caused by ALS can be emotionally difficult. For some people with ALS, these changes can result in anxiety and depression.
If you're living with ALS and notice changes in your daily functioning, talk with your doctor and healthcare team. Medication and support can help maintain quality of life, even as symptoms progress.
Does ALS affect thinking?
Cognitive changes are common among people with ALS, affecting between 30% and 50% of those with the disease. The changes are usually classified as mild to moderate. Difficulty with reasoning, planning, and slowed thinking are among the most common cognitive symptoms of ALS.
Behavioral changes like emotional lability (uncontrollable laughing and crying) are also possible, even if cognition is otherwise unaffected.
It's less common, but ALS-related dementia can also occur if there's cell degeneration in the frontotemporal regions of the brain.
How is ALS diagnosed?
ALS is usually diagnosed by a neurologist. There's no specific test for ALS. The process of establishing a diagnosis can take anywhere from weeks to months.
An ALS diagnosis may be considered if someone has nerve and muscle health concerns that get worse over time. A doctor will watch for increasing symptoms like:
muscle weakness
muscle atrophy
twitching
cramps
rigid tissue, known as contracture
These symptoms can also be caused by a number of other conditions. Therefore, a diagnosis requires your doctor to rule out other health concerns. This is done with a series of diagnostic tests, including:
an EMG test to evaluate the electrical activity of your muscles
nerve conduction studies to test your nerve function
an MRI scan that shows which parts of your nervous system are affected
blood tests to evaluate your general health and nutrition
Genetic tests may also be useful for people with a family history of ALS.
How is ALS treated?
Many different areas of functioning can be affected as control over voluntary movements declines. Treatments and supports are available to address most symptoms.
A team of doctors and specialists often work together to treat people with ALS. Specialists involved in the ALS team might include:
a neurologist who is skilled in the management of ALS
a doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation (physiatrist)
a dietitian
a gastroenterologist
an occupational therapist
a respiratory therapist
a speech therapist
a social worker
a psychologist
a pastoral care professional
a doctor who specializes in palliative care
Family members should talk with people with ALS about their care. As the condition progresses, some people may need support when making medical decisions.
Connecting with a local ALS society can help people with ALS and their families access resources and support.
Assistive devices
Assistive devices like braces, mattresses, and wheelchairs can reduce pain by supporting the body in a more comfortable position.
Some people may need nutritional support, like a feeding tube (enteral feeding).
As speech becomes more difficult, communication tools provide another way to express thoughts and needs. Options include communication boards and electronic assistive communication devices.
If you're considering assistive devices, it's best to consult with your healthcare team to find the right options for you.
Medications
Two medications — riluzole (Rilutek, Tiglutik, Exservan) and edaravone (Radicava) — are approved for the treatment of ALS.
Riluzole appears to reduce a particular kind of nerve damage called glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. It can slow the progression of respiratory symptoms and prolong life by several months.
Edaravone (Radicava) appears to help with ALS symptoms by reducing oxidative stress. It can slow the progression of ALS, especially for those in the early stages of the condition.
Other medications may be used to treat the symptoms of ALS. Some of these medications include:
mexiletine and baclofen, for muscle cramps and spasms
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and morphine, for pain management
dextromethorphan/quinidine (Nuedexta), for emotional lability
As of 2020, more than 40 potential new medications for ALS are being studied. Clinical trials for stem cell therapy are also underway. But stem cell therapy hasn't yet been proven to be an effective treatment for ALS.
Nonmedical treatments
Your doctor may recommend therapies like heat treatments, exercise, and physical therapy to reduce ALS symptoms. These should only be undertaken as directed by your healthcare team.
Massage, meditation, and other complementary and alternative therapies may also help with relaxation and comfort. Before starting any nonmedical treatment, it's important to discuss it with your doctor.
What is the long-term outlook for people with ALS?
There's currently no cure for ALS. But medication and supportive care can improve quality of life. Make it a priority to discuss new or changing symptoms with your healthcare team. Proper treatment and support can help those with ALS live happily and comfortably for as long as possible.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
19 minutes ago
- New York Times
People With Severe Diabetes Are Cured in Small Trial of New Drug
A single infusion of a stem cell-based treatment may have cured 10 out of 12 people with the most severe form of type 1 diabetes. One year later, these 10 patients no longer need insulin. The other two patients need much lower doses. The experimental treatment, called zimislecel and made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals of Boston, involves stem cells that scientists prodded to turn into pancreatic islet cells, which regulate blood glucose levels. The new islet cells were infused and reached the pancreas, where they took up residence. The study was presented Friday evening at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association and published online by The New England Journal of Medicine. 'It's trailblazing work,' said Dr. Mark Anderson, professor and director of the diabetes center at the University of California in San Francisco. 'Being free of insulin is life changing,' added Dr. Anderson, who was not involved in the study. Vertex, like other drug companies, declined to announce the treatment's cost before the Food and Drug Administration approves it. The treatment, said Vertex spokeswoman Dee Smith, could potentially help all patients with type 1 diabetes, although they would need to weigh the risks against the benefits of possibly not needing insulin. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Associated Press
19 minutes ago
- Associated Press
NthJEN Announces the Launch of Revolutionary Smart Bed Technology to Prevent Bedsores and Patient Falls
06/20/2025, Overland Park, Kansas // PRODIGY: Feature Story // After nearly a decade of development, testing, and clinical feedback, NthJEN LLC announces the launch of its breakthrough multi-sensor smart bed technology into the healthcare market. Designed to monitor immobility, alert clinicians of risk, and help prevent injuries, the solution stands at the intersection of compassion, precision, and innovation. Founder and CEO Naveen Gogumalla calls it 'a just-in-time, technology-based solution for one of the most overlooked problems in healthcare.' NthJEN's smart bed system, powered by a thin, pressure-sensitive membrane layered over any standard bed, uses over a thousand sensors to continuously map the patient's pressure distribution and activity. Unlike traditional methods that rely on visual checks or outdated alarms, the system detects early signs of immobility or unsafe patterns that can lead to pressure ulcers or dangerous falls. It can even detect if a patient has gotten out of bed and failed to return within a safe timeframe, alerting staff in real-time. 'It's not just about alarms, it's about precision alerts that matter,' says Gogumalla. 'We have designed this system to reduce alarm fatigue by only alerting caregivers when necessary. If the patient is out of bed too long or has not moved in a high-risk position, that's when the system speaks up.' The journey to market began in 2017, when Gogumalla, whose background spans IT and healthcare, was approached by a wound care nurse desperate for a real solution. 'She said everyone was trying to help us with these wounds, but no one was solving the core issue,' he recalls. Motivated by that challenge, and deeply affected by the untimely passing of his sister due to a cardiac event, Gogumalla redirected his efforts to build something that could truly make a difference. 'I kept thinking, how can we use technology to keep people safe? That's what drove this,' he says. What emerged was a durable medical device that could be prescribed by physicians, used in homes or care facilities, and integrated into existing hospital infrastructure. The product is durable, waterproof, and reusable. It straps securely to the bed, reads pressure changes through advanced sensors, and communicates data to clinicians and caregivers via a web-based dashboard. In the future, NthJEN aims to consolidate even more clinical monitoring into the device, vitals, telemetry, and ambient sensors, all in one discreet system. 'One of the core advantages is remote access,' says Gogumalla. 'Family members can receive email alerts or log in to view the bed status. In an age where loved ones are spread across cities or countries, this level of connection provides peace of mind.' Over five years of testing have proven the product's resilience in both clinical and home environments. The system's data logging capabilities can even aid litigation defense by documenting caregiver responses to alarms. According to Gogumalla, the solution helps not just the patient, but the entire ecosystem of care. 'This makes the caregiver more efficient. You don't need to walk in and check unless the alert tells you something's wrong. That changes everything,' he states. The market demand is clear. In the U.S. alone, pressure ulcers and falls account for over $50 billion in treatment and liability costs annually. With the smart bed's ability to detect inactivity or absence before harm occurs, NthJEN offers prevention, not just response. And while some competitors use in-room cameras or rudimentary pressure sensors, NthJEN stands apart. 'We are not trying to map wounds. We are trying to prevent them,' Gogumalla clarifies. 'And we don't believe in turning bedrooms into surveillance zones. This system respects patient dignity while still improving care.' Gogumalla and his team are already working with experienced physical therapists, home care networks, and hospitals to bring the solution into more hands. 'Our vision goes beyond the bed,' he adds. 'We are working toward a future where the hospital room is less cluttered, more integrated, and remotely accessible. Imagine a doctor standing on a beach and checking your vitals remotely from the same system.' For Gogumalla, though, the focus remains grounded. 'This is not about me,' he says. 'It's about solving a real problem and getting it into the hands of people who need it: nurses, patients, caregivers, families. That's who we built it for.' Media Contact Name: Naveen Gogumalla Email: [email protected] The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, treatment, or care. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article. Source published by Submit Press Release >> NthJEN Announces the Launch of Revolutionary Smart Bed Technology to Prevent Bedsores and Patient Falls
Associated Press
19 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Ibogaine by David Dardashti Forges Strategic Partnership with Psychedelic University to Cultivate Next-Generation Leaders in Psychedelic Healthcare
MIAMI, FL - June 20, 2025 - Ibogaine by David Dardashti, a pioneering leader in ibogaine-assisted therapy and led by visionary David Dardashti, today announced a groundbreaking collaboration with a Psychedelic University. This strategic partnership aims to establish robust internship opportunities for students passionate about contributing to the rapidly evolving psychedelic field, with initial networking prospects to be explored at the highly anticipated Psychedelic Conference 2025. The initiative is further amplified by the recent opening of Ibogaine by David Dardashti's second state-of-the-art treatment facility, significantly expanding the scope for student involvement. This innovative alliance is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical application, providing students with invaluable hands-on experience in a clinical setting dedicated to transformative healing. The expansion into a second facility dramatically increases Ibogaine by David Dardashti's capacity, creating a diverse array of potential roles for aspiring professionals. 'We are incredibly excited to partner with Psychedelic University to nurture the next generation of leaders in psychedelic medicine,' said David Dardashti, founder of Ibogaine by David Dardashti. 'The opening of our second clinic is not just about expanding our treatment capabilities; it's about building a robust ecosystem where ambitious students can gain real-world experience and help accelerate the growth and acceptance of ibogaine therapy. We believe this collaboration will foster innovation and ethical practices crucial for the future of this field.' The internship program will offer multifaceted opportunities for students from various disciplines. Beyond direct clinical exposure, students can expect to engage in critical areas such as: Meetings will be held in the months following a patient's treatment, creating a unique longitudinal learning environment where interns can observe the full spectrum of patient journeys and recovery. This comprehensive approach ensures that students gain a holistic understanding of patient care, from initial intake to long-term integration support. Representatives from both Ibogaine by David Dardashti and Psychedelic University will be actively engaging with students at the Psychedelic Conference 2025, providing a premier platform for aspiring interns to learn more about these opportunities and network with pioneers in the field. This direct interaction will allow students to present their aspirations and demonstrate their commitment to this burgeoning area of healthcare. The ultimate goal of Ibogaine by David Dardashti is to expand its new clinic with the support of ambitious, dedicated students who are eager to contribute to accelerating the growth and responsible application of ibogaine treatment. This partnership underscores a shared commitment to innovation, education, and the widespread, ethical integration of psychedelic therapies into mainstream healthcare. Media Contact Company Name: Ibogaine By David Dardashti Contact Person: Cole Barressi Email: Send Email Country: United States Website: Press Release Distributed by To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: Ibogaine by David Dardashti Forges Strategic Partnership with Psychedelic University to Cultivate Next-Generation Leaders in Psychedelic Healthcare
