ALS

ALS DESCRIPTION

• ALS is a Neurodegenerative disease that effects the nerve cells in the brain and spine that was discovered by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot in 1869.
• ALS stands for Amyotrophic, lateral, sclerosis
• Amyotrophic is Greek for no muscle nourishment, Lateral identifies the area of the spine were the nerves are located that control muscle movement, and This causes areas of nerves to degenerate and harden causing Sclerosis.

ALS

• ALS causes the degeneration of motor neurons that run through the brain, spine, and muscles that control motor skills.
• Once these motor neurons die, the brains ability to control muscle function is lost causing total paralysis.
• Victims loose their ability to move, speak, Eat and breath.

ALS

• There are two types of ALS, sporadic and familial
• Sporadic is the most common form of ALS, making up 90% of cases.
• Familial is genetic, creating 50% chance a person will get ALS if someone in there family has it.
• ALS can't be transmitted like a virus, it is in your genetics whether you get it or not.

SIGNS AND SYPTOMS

• Most of the signals for a person having ALS varies from person to person.
• Some patients may begin to have a difficulty grasping objects while others may have a change in pitch of their voice.
• The onset of the disease also varies from person to person but it is usually quite slow.
• Most people don't notice it till it starts to effect their motor skills.

SYMPTOMS

• Other signs are constant tripping, dropping things, slurred speech, abnormal fatigue, muscle twitches,cramps, and uncontrollable fits of crying and laughing.
• Once it begins to affect the victim must be placed on a ventilator for the remainder of their life.
• The average lifespan for those with ALS is 3 to 5 years.

DIAGNOSIS

• The diagnosis for ALS can be quite difficult due there being no test or procedure to determine if a person has ALS.
• There are also some disease that mimic ALS.

LOU GERHIG

• The disease became well known to the public when famous Yankee baseball player Lou Gehrig was diagnosed with ALS in 1939.
• During The months leading up to his diagnosis it was quit clear that Gehrig wasn't as good as he had been.
• He eventually died in 1941.

Lou Gehrig

STEPHEN HAWKING

• World famous scientist Stephen hawking was diagnosed when he was 21 and was only expected to live 2 years. He has exceeded his life expectancy by 50 years.
• He continues to give lectures and write books about the universe.

HOPE

• Scientist are continuing to research ALS and possibly finding a cure as more People become aware of ALS and support the research needed to find a cure.

Stephen hawking has not allowed his disability to dictate his life, and has become one of the greatest minds of the 21st century.