Lou Gherig's Disease (ALS)

Also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.   It is a fatal, rapidly debilitating motor neuron disease in which the nerve cells that control muscular movement die, leading to weakness, wasting, and rigidity of muscles and paralysis.  In early stages of the disease, a person experiences fatigue, muscle twitching, weakness of limb muscles, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, or uncontrolled laughing or crying.  Later symptoms include increased weakness, rigidity and wasting of muscles, followed by paralysis.  Breathing difficulties occur when muscles that control respiration are affected.  The patient is then put on a respirator.  It does not usually affect the senses or mental faculties.  Respiratory arrest or pneumonia are often the cause of death.  There is currently no cure. Rilutek may slow progression of the disease.

5-10% of cases are genetic.  It is 1 ½ times more common in men than women.