Even the Iron Horse
Although first described 70 years prior to Gehrig`s diagnosis ALS is commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig`s disease. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that was first termed by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot in 1869. ALS affects the nerve cells in the brain and the spinal column. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. ALS does eventually lead to death as the progressive degenerative nature of this disease will ultimately prohibit the brain to initiate and control muscle movement. As voluntary muscle action progression is affected, many patients later in life may become completely paralyzed.
It wasn`t until 1939 thought that this disease gained worldwide attention when Lou Gehrig (aka The Iron Horse) abruptly retired from his baseball career after being diagnosed with ALS. Many famous people have had their lives cut short from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, like Hall of Fame Pitcher Jim ``Catfish`` Hunter, Senator Jacob Javits and the creator of Sesame Street Jon Stone. This disease that right now as many as 30,000 Americans are afflicted with, usually strikes people in between ages of 40 and 70.
Though there is no known cure or treatment today that will halt or reverse ALS; there is one FDA approved drug called riluzole, which modestly slows the progression of ALS. There are also several other drugs in clinical trials that hold promise, but more importantly, there are significant devices and therapies that can manage the symptoms of ALS that help people maintain as much independence as possible and prolong survival. For more information talk to your neurologist and visit:www.alsa.org/
