ALS
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
ALS is often called Lou Gehrig’s Disease after Lou Gehrig, a Hall of Fame baseball player for the New York Yankees, who was diagnosed with ALS in the 1930’s. ALS is a nervous system disease that weakens muscles and can affect physical functions such as speaking, eating and moving.
Important facts
- Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease
- Two different type of ALS, sporadic and familial
- Everyday, an average of 15 people are newly diagnosed with ALS
- Approximately 30,000 people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with ALS.
- Approximately 6,400 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year.
- Half of all people affected with ALS live at least three or more years after diagnosis. Twenty percent live five years or more. Ten percent will live ten years or more.
- Most people are diagnosed between 40-70.
- 20 percent more common in men then women.
- Not contagious
- Occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic or socioeconomic boundaries.
How to maintain your health if you have ALS
- Good nutrition is important
- Maintain your weight
- Get a feeding tube before you lose weight
- Keep a positive attitude
- Find the nearest ALS Center and Clinic. They will be very helpful at every stage of the disease
References
"Tips for Newly-Diagnosed ALS Patients from Will Hubben." ALSA.org. ALS Association, n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2015.