Facts About Lou Gehrig's Disease

Lou Gehrig's disease is a more common name for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, which means the nerves in the spine that control muscle movement slowly deteriorate until the person becomes paralyzed.

Cause

• There is no known cause of Lou Gehrig's disease. No link to infection, environment, chemicals or lifestyle have been found. It does tend to run in families, so it appears to be hereditary.

Prevention

• Because Lou Gehrig's disease has no known cause, there is no way to prevent it.

Symptoms

• Early symptoms include muscle weakness in arms or legs, fatigue, slurred speech, clumsiness and muscle twitching.

Treatment

• There is no cure. The only approved treatment is riluzole (Rilutek), which is used to slow disease progression. Riluzole can extend life up to 3 months and delay the need for a tracheostomy (the insertion of a breathing tube in the throat). Possible side effects include nausea, dizziness and decreased lung function.

Prognosis

• The symptoms of Lou Gehrig's disease gradually worsen as the disease progresses. People with Lou Gehrig's disease generally live 3 to 5 years after diagnosis although some may live for decades. The disease only affects voluntary muscle movement, not breathing or heart rate, but it leaves patients susceptible to respiratory infections such as pneumonia.