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Health Line
2 days ago
- Health
- Health Line
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.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The ALS Association Teams Up with MLB Pitcher Aaron Nola to #StrikeOutALS and Recognize 5th Annual Lou Gehrig Day
Philadelphia Phillies Pitcher Continues Support of Fight Against ALS in Honor of Late Uncle ARLINGTON, Va., May 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The ALS Association is recognizing the 5th annual Lou Gehrig Day, taking place June 2nd at baseball parks across the country. Lou Gehrig Day honors the legacy of the legendary first baseman, who was diagnosed with ALS at the height of his playing career. He died on June 2, 1941, just two years after his diagnosis. Sadly, ALS is still 100% fatal and can strike anyone at any time. As part of the nationwide effort, the ALS Association will be partnering with baseball teams across the country to host events commemorating Lou Gehrig Day. These events may include pre-game ceremonies, special on-field presentations, guest speakers and fundraising initiatives. "Lou Gehrig Day is an important opportunity to remind baseball fans around the country about the urgent need for a cure for ALS," said Brian Frederick, chief marketing and communications officer for the ALS Association. "Lou was an incredible player who inspired millions but could not beat this fatal disease. With the public's help, we can turn ALS from fatal to livable and then cure it. We have an amazing community of people living with ALS and their loved ones and they need our support." For the second consecutive season, the ALS Association is teaming up with Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola to raise awareness of ALS and support research and care through the the Big League Impact campaign. Nola is donating $1,500 for every strikeout he records to the ALS Association, a $500 increase from last season's $1,000 per strikeout commitment. The cause remains deeply personal to him after losing his uncle, Alan Andries, to ALS in 2021. In recognition of his ongoing advocacy, Nola was recently named a 2025 Philanthropy Award Winner by the Major League Baseball Players Trust, which awarded a $10,000 grant in his honor to the ALS Association. Nola was recognized for his dedication to ALS research and his charitable efforts supporting veterans. "We are grateful to Aaron and everyone in baseball who supports the fight against ALS," said Larry Falivena, a person living with ALS who serves on the ALS Association Board of Trustees. "We may support different teams on the field, but off the field, we are all dedicated to making ALS livable and then curing it. We have made great strides in ALS research and care since Lou Gehrig was diagnosed and we have to keep the momentum going." The ALS Association encourages fans, players, and organizations to join the fight against ALS by finding a Lou Gehrig Day game in their community by visiting or by joining Aaron and his campaign to Strike Out ALS at Together, we can honor Lou Gehrig's legacy, cheer for our beloved teams and make ALS History. About ALS ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Eventually, people with ALS lose the ability to initiate and control muscle movement, which often leads to total paralysis and death within two to five years of diagnosis. For unknown reasons, veterans are more likely to develop ALS than the general population. About the ALS Association The ALS Association is the largest philanthropic funder of ALS research in the world. The Association funds global research collaborations, assists people with ALS and their families through its nationwide network of care and certified clinical care centers, and advocates for better public policies for people with ALS. The ALS Association is working to make ALS a livable disease while urgently searching for new treatments and a cure. For more information about the ALS Association, visit our website at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The ALS Association Melden Sie sich an, um Ihr Portfolio aufzurufen.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Roanoke man living with ALS is on a mission to help others
ROANOKE, VA (WFXR) — A Roanoke man living with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is working to spread awareness and understanding about the disease, and make it livable for everyone until a cure can be found. 'I don't think you can ever be ready for a medical change that totally alters your trajectory in life,' said Mark Kary, who is living with ALS. ALS is a neurotmesuclar disease where the brain stops communicating with the muscles. For some, a person might lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, breathe, and it can sometimes be fatal. 'If I want to go into my emails, I can scroll down with my nose,' shared Kary. Mark Kary is 75 years old and is living with ALS. He said that right around the time of his retirement, he started to notice some weakness in his left arm. 'My brother, who was a doctor, found it, and that was about 12 years ago, which is a real anomaly time-wise. And I wasn't diagnosed until about five years ago,' said Kary. Mark's version of ALS is extremely rare. 'Only affected thus far my arms, hands, and shoulders, which have atrophied or, as I like to say, my arms are for decoration only,' shared Kary. Even with the diagnosis, the disease hasn't taken away his appetite for life. Every day the sun comes up is a beautiful day. One of the things I say is, how I get things done is with the hands of others.' Mark Kary His arms, hands, and shoulders might not work as well as they used to, but that doesn't stop him; he said he just had to adapt. 'Think about personal hygiene, anything you can do with your hands. I can't do,' shared Kary. 'I can still brush my teeth with an electric toothbrush, but that does take, you know, a four-step process.' I think you have to have a mission in life, no matter how brief.' Mark Kary 'For most people who have ALS, they don't have the timeframe that I have been blessed with,' shared Kary. And with the time Mark does have, he has created the ALS Red Ball Express. It's a visual and digital aid that you may have spotted on the back of cars. 'I want people to walk over and point their phone at it and get a connection to information,' said Kary. Whether it's connecting people with information or raising funds for the ALS Association, Mark is on a mission to ensure there is a visual representation of ALS on the roads in Roanoke every day of the year. Mark's story doesn't end, He's also been busy advocting for disabled people with adaptive access in Roanoke. A few years ago, he spoke with the City Manager, and helped put in place the Star City's first 'open access barrier-free parking' in downtown. Those are parking spaces specially set aside for disabled drivers, so they can park in timed spaces, for up to 10 hours. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
May declared as ALS Awareness Month in Kingsport
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL)—At Tuesday's meeting, the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen presented a proclamation declaring May as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month in the city. Ron Codispoti, whose father passed away from ALS in January of 2024, received an email from the ALS Association regarding the awareness month. 'There was an email that we had gotten that reached out to multiple people in the ALS community,' he said. '[It said to] reach out to your local board of mayors, representatives in any way. And so I did.' Codispoti received a response from the city, stating the proclamation would be made at the May 20 Board Meeting. Kingsport Mayor Paul Montgomery presented the proclamation to Codispoti, alongside family and friends. 'It's great to have it, to be more aware around not only this community, but hopefully more communities around the area, especially the Tri-Cities,' Codispoti said. Codispoti said the proclamation is about bringing awareness to the disease. 'I want everybody to know that ALS is a disease that is very hard on families,' he said. 'Not only on the person who receives this [diagnosis]. And I want everybody to know that if we band together, we can find a way to either find a cure or some way of not making this a last chance.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Remember the Ice Bucket Challenge? It's back.
More than a decade after the viral trend first got its start, thousands of people are dusting off their buckets and dumping ice water on their heads all over again—but this time, for mental health. The viral 2014 Ice Bucket Challenge raised $115 million in six weeks for what was, at the time, a severely neglected disease—amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which degrades nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord over time, leading to loss of muscle control and, ultimately, the ability to talk, move, eat, and breathe. But the global social media phenomenon did more than that. It forever changed the trajectory of ALS, leading to the discovery of disease-specific genes and treatments, greater scientific collaborations, and technology that improved patients' quality of life. (A decade later: How the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge made a lasting impact.) But how did those close to the original challenge feel about the revamped version—and what progress has been made since? We spoke with Patrick Quinn, father of the late Pat Quinn, one of the original Ice Bucket Challenge's three co-founders, as well as Brian Frederick, chief marketing and communications officer for the ALS Association (ALSA), to find out. After losing friends to suicide, Wade Jefferson, a student at the University of South Carolina, wanted to work towards squashing stigmas around mental health. He started the college's Mental Illness Needs Discussion (MIND) club, and thought a reimagined ice bucket challenge could breathe new life into mental health advocacy. Thus, the recent #SpeakYourMIND Challenge was born. The campaign, which launched March 31, has raised nearly $420,000 for Active Minds—the largest nonprofit in the United States that's working to change mental health norms among teens and young adults. It has even attracted some high-profile attention, including from former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and TODAY show host Jenna Bush Hager. While the campaign began to pick up some steam, some feared the revamped social media trend might take away from spotlighting the challenges associated with ALS. At the same time, people on social media were tagging the ALSA in their videos, connecting the original driving factor behind the trend with mental health. Shortly after, the ALSA and Active Minds joined forces to raise awareness for both causes, using the challenge to bring attention to the fact that ALS doesn't just affect people physically, but emotionally as well—a reality that isn't often discussed. 'Even in ALS support groups, mental health is something that was never brought up,' says Quinn. 'It was always physical. But when you really peel back each of one of those negatives, how much mental impact does that have?' Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS affects roughly 30,000 people in the U.S., and most live only two to five years after symptoms develop. Because much more progress is needed to address patients' debilitating loss of function, Quinn feels like the mental health of these patients has been put on the back burner. Even though ALS was first identified more than 150 years ago, few studies have analyzed how the disease impacts mental health and vice versa. At least one questionnaire found that as physical impairment worsens among those with ALS, so does depression. Other self-reported surveys show that up to 64 percent of ALS patients feel depressed and 88 percent feel anxious. A 2019 study even found that poorer emotional well-being was associated with faster disease progression. Quinn, who watched his son battle ALS for seven-and-a-half years, said it can be difficult to recognize how people with the disease feel, especially once they lose the ability to speak, and even more so 'because they have a funny way of hiding it to avoid being a burden on their families.' (9 simple ways to boost your mental health, according to science.) But hope is on the horizon for ALS patients and their families. A study published in January found that Qalsody—the first gene-based therapy for ALS approved by the FDA in 2023—not only slows the progression of a rare form of the disease, but also helps restore patients' function. Companies are also leveraging AI tools to search through massive datasets to pinpoint biological targets that can help accelerate drug discovery and development, says Frederick. And advancements in technology are continuing to help ALS patients who have lost the ability to speak to communicate with others. 'There are many more things now that make it easier for them to not just give up,' says Quinn, adding that he's grateful that the #SpeakYourMIND Challenge has opened his and others' eyes to the importance of mental health for ALS patients. 'ALS doesn't have a face until it comes into your house' he says. 'One of Pat's big things before he passed is, no matter how bad things get, find a reason to find your smile—and just keep going.'
