What is ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease?

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive, neuromuscular disease. It

attacks the motor neurons that transmit electrical impulses from the brain to the voluntary
muscles in the body. When they fail to receive messages, the muscles lose strength,
atrophy and die.
ALS can strike anyone at anytime, regardless of age, gender, or ethnic origin. It does not
affect the senses, and only rarely does it affect the mind. The equipment costs for each
patient average $137,000, while nursing and home care costs can be up to 10 times this
amount.
The average life expectancy after diagnosis is 3 to 5 years.

Frequently Asked Questions about ALS

Q. Why is ALS sometimes called Lou Gehrig's Disease?
A: Many years ago, Lou Gehrig was known as professional baseball's
"Ironman." With strength, agility, and excellent health, Gehrig had everything
it took to become a baseball legend. At the peak of his career, he was diagnosed as having
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and died 2 years later, at age 39.
Q. What are the early symptoms of ALS?
A. ALS usually becomes apparent either in the legs, arms, throat or upper chest area. Some
people begin to trip and fall, some lose the use of their hands and arms, some find it hard to
swallow and some slur their speech.
Since the disease frequently takes its toll before being positively diagnosed, many patients
are debilitated before learning they have ALS. The disease wreaks a devastating effect on
patients as well as their families.
As they struggle to cope with the prospect of advancing disability and death, ALS patients
may find their financial, physical and emotional resources exhausted. It is a costly disease
in its later stages -- demanding both expensive nursing care and equipment.
Q. How do you "catch" ALS?
A. ALS cannot be "caught" - it is not contagious. In 90% of cases, ALS strikes people with
no family history of the disease. Only 10% of cases are classified as familial or inherited. It
may occur at any age, with the risk increasing as people grow older. However, many people
are struck down in the prime of life.

Q. What needs to be done to beat ALS?

A. Although recent research has resulted in significant breakthroughs, more is needed to
find a cure, but research costs money.
Q. Is there hope for people with ALS?
A. Yes, thanks to recent advances in research and drug therapies.
Q. What is the ALS Society of BC?
A. Established in 1981, the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Society of BC is a non-profit
society. It was founded by ALS patients, their family members and caregivers, and health
care professionals to meet the physical and emotional needs of those living with ALS.
Q. What does the Society do?
A. The ALS Society of BC raises funds for both research and to provide direct services and
support to those currently living with ALS.
Until a cure is found, the Society provides patient services to improve the quality of life of
those diagnosed with this disease by offering an extensive equipment loan program,
support groups, and educational materials.
Patients are referred to the Society by neurologists and other healthcare professionals,
particularly those at the ALS Centre at G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre. Working together
as partners, G.F. Strong team and the Society are dedicated to enhancing each patient's
quality of life.