With brain diseases on the rise, it's a good time to learn more about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease. This is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The condition can also lead to oneLoss of muscle controllead. Diagnosis of the disease affects more and more people every year, and the average life expectancy is two to five years.
How Lou Gehrig's disease affects the body
Symptoms often begin in the hands, feet or limbs and then spread to other parts of the body. As the disease progresses and destroys nerve cells, muscles become weaker. Thisaffects chewing, swallowing, speaking and breathing out. Signs and symptoms of Lou Gehrig's syndrome vary greatly from person to person, depending on which neurons are affected. The most common signs and symptoms include difficulty walking or performing normal daily activities. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is inherited in 5 to 10% of people diagnosed with the disease. For most people with a family history of the disease, their children also have a 50-50 chance of developing it. Furthermore, the cause is unknown. In addition to heredity, there are other established risk factors for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The risk increases with age and occurs most commonly between the ages of 40 and mid-60s.
Before the age of 65, slightly more men than women develop amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However, this gender difference disappears after the age of 70. Some studies that examined the entire human genome found many similarities in the genetic variations of people with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However, these genetic variations could make people more susceptible to the disease. No cure or treatment can reverse the damage of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However, treatments can slow the progression of symptoms, prevent complications, and make life more comfortable and independent. These treatments may include medication, respiratory care, physical therapy, occupational and speech therapy, and nutritional support.
