Treatment Options For Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), occasionally referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a devastating and fatal neurodegenerative condition. It frequently strikes individuals in the prime of their life and causes severe dysfunction progressing to death over around three years on average, with approximately five thousand new cases diagnosed in the United States every year. ALS causes motor neurons in the spinal cord to die. Initial symptoms include difficulty using the feet and hands and slurring speech. The condition then progresses to complete paralysis, including the need for a ventilator. The most horrific aspect of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is while the body fails, the mind remains intact. While there is currently no cure, some treatment options can delay progression.