What causes Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

What Is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?
Subtitle: Overview of ALS

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive and neurodegenerative disorder that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to the weakening and wasting of muscles. This disorder can eventually cause complete paralysis and death due to respiratory failure. While the cause of ALS is still not fully understood, it is believed to be linked to both genetic and environmental factors.

Symptoms
Subtitle: Symptoms of ALS

The symptoms of ALS vary from person to person, but they generally start with muscle weakness and stiffness in the limbs, especially in the arms and legs. Other common symptoms include difficulty walking, speaking, and swallowing, as well as twitching and cramping of muscles. As the disease progresses, patients may experience a loss of voluntary muscle control, paralysis, and eventual death.

Risk Factors
Subtitle: Risk Factors for ALS

There are several risk factors for developing ALS, including age, genetics, and environmental factors. Age is the most significant risk factor, as the risk increases with age, with most cases occurring in people over the age of 60. Genetics play a role, as people with a family history of the disorder are at higher risk of developing ALS. Finally, certain environmental factors, such as exposure to certain toxins or infections, have been linked to an increased risk of ALS.

Diagnosis
Subtitle: Diagnosing ALS

ALS is typically diagnosed by a neurologist through a physical exam, review of medical history and symptoms, and laboratory tests, such as blood tests, MRI scans, and nerve conduction studies. A muscle biopsy may also be performed to rule out other causes of muscle weakness.

Treatment
Subtitle: Treatments for ALS

Although there is no cure for ALS, there are treatments and therapies available to manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. These treatments include medications to manage muscle spasms and pain, physical and occupational therapy to improve strength and mobility, speech and swallowing therapy, and breathing assistance.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurological disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The exact cause of ALS is still unknown, however, researchers believe that genetic and environmental factors may play a role in the development of the disease. Other potential causes may include trauma to the nerve cells, exposure to toxins, and autoimmunity.