In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, there is progressive degeneration of motor nerves (nerves that control movement) in the spinal cord.
The disorder also affects muscles: as the motor nerves lose the ability to stimulate muscle activity, the muscles weaken and waste away. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis usually begins after the age of about 50, although rarely it may occur in childhood or adolescence.
The cause is unknown, although in a few people there is a genetic susceptibility. Initially, symptoms develop over a few months, with weakness and wasting in the hands, arms, and legs. Other early symptoms of ALS may include twitching, stiffness, muscle cramps, and sometimes speech problems.
As the disease progresses, symptoms worsen and cause problems with everyday activities, such as holding objects, climbing stairs, and walking. Mental abilities are usually not impaired, although control of emotions may be affected and some people become depressed. Eventually, the muscles that control breathing are affected and become weakened, and the person dies.
There is no cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, although treatment may relieve some of the symptoms and slow progression of the disease

Othere related diseases

HEAD INJURY
Many bumps and bruises to the head are minor, but a severe injury carries the risk of brain damage and may even be fatal. A blow to the head may shake or bruise...

HEADACHE
Medication-overuse headache Tension-type headache A very common type of pain, a headache is rarely a symptom of a serious underlying disorder. Most headaches ar...

HUNTINGTONS DISEASE
Huntington’s disease (also known as Huntington’s chorea) is an inherited brain disorder that causes involuntary, rapid, jerky movements and dementia (opposi...

MENINGITIS
In meningitis, the meninges (membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord) become inflamed. It is most commonly the result of a viral or bacterial infectio...

MERALGIA PARESTHETICA
In meralgia paresthetica, there are abnormal sensations, such as burning pain, numbness, and tingling in the outer thigh. Symptoms are often made worse by stand...

MIGRAINE
A migraine is a recurrent, often severe headache that usually occurs on one side of the head and may be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and visual distur...

MORTONS NEUROMA
In this condition, a nerve between the toe bones becomes irritated and thickened. Usually, the nerve affected is between the third and fourth toes, but sometime...

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
In multiple sclerosis (MS), nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord become progressively damaged, causing problems with a wide range of body functions.
El...