How does a person get ALS?

There's no known exact cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but its symptoms are due to the progressive dysfunction and death of motor neurons. A number of ALS risk factors , including genetics, environmental exposures, and lifestyle habits, have been identified.

What are the first signs of ALS?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by progressive muscle weakness. Usually, the first symptoms include weakness in the hands or feet, causing problems with writing, gripping objects, or walking. In about one-third of patients, however, the first symptoms affect muscles around the mouth and throat, usually manifesting as issues speaking or swallowing.

Who is most likely to get ALS?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) most commonly manifests between the ages of 55 and 75, and the disease is more common in men than women. Other risk factors for ALS include a family history of the disease, smoking, excessive exercise, and exposures to toxins like pesticides.

How does ALS affect daily life?

In the early disease stages, people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) often struggle with activities that require fine hand motor skills, like writing or buttoning a shirt. As the disease progresses, muscle weakness becomes more severe and spreads throughout the body, with most patients eventually progressing to have little or no ability to move under their own power. People with ALS often experience difficulty eating and speaking , and breathing problems are common.

What is the survival rate of ALS?

The average life expectancy for someone with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is about two to five years after the initial onset of symptoms. However, it is estimated that about 20% of ALS patients live more than five years after symptom onset, and about 10% will live past 10 years.

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ALS Overview

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurological disorder that damages nerve cells and causes disability. The condition also is known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, after the famed New York Yankees baseball player who was diagnosed with the disorder in the late 1930s.

Familial ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that runs in families in about 10% of cases. When more than one person in the same biological family is affected by the disease, it is referred to as familial ALS.

Sporadic ALS

About 90% of cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the progressive neurological disorder also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, are characterized as sporadic ALS, meaning they occur spontaneously. The term sporadic in ALS means without a clear pattern, and the individuals with these cases have no known family history of the disease.

Types of ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that can be classified into different types based on factors like genetics, a patient's family history, and the disorder's early symptoms. Across all types, ALS is marked by the loss of motor neurons...

ALS diagnosis

Confirming a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is typically a complex process that involves testing for signs indicative of the progressive neurodegenerative disease, and ruling out other potential disorders that could cause similar symptoms.

Symptoms of ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder in which worsening muscle weakness leads to movement problems and other symptoms such as trouble swallowing, speaking, and breathing. Patients also can experience digestive issues, mental health problems, and changes in behavior.

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ALS Overview

Familial ALS

Sporadic ALS

Types of ALS

ALS diagnosis

Symptoms of ALS

ALS causes and risk factors

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