Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease)

What is the reason it’s referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease? “

Henry Louis “Lou” Gehrig was an American MLB first baseman who played for 17 years in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees (1923-1939). He established various record-breaking records in the major leagues, such as having the highest number of ever grand slams (23) and the most consecutively played games (2,130). Gehrig is best known for his skill as a hitter and his endurance. This earned him the nickname “The Iron Horse” and the pity of saying goodbye to baseball at 36. He was diagnosed with the amyotrophic lateral disease (ALS).

Causes

The root cause of ALS is not known, despite decades of research. Certain clues are available and could provide a more excellent knowledge of this disease and eventually lead to better treatments and cures. The clues are:

• About two percent of cases are considered to be familial (hereditary). Most instances are linked with a defect in the 21st chromosome, which codes for a defense enzyme called superoxide dismutase (SOD).
• SOD is an antioxidant that protects your body from being damaged by certain waste products in mitochondria found in every cell. These waste products can result in cell death within the nervous system and consequent muscle loss due to insufficient stimulation. Additionally, the accumulation of mutant SOD could result in the death of neuronal cells.
• No matter their location or the type of work their duties were, military personnel face higher risk than civilians.
• Clusters of ALS were reported surprisingly with three of the individual professional soccer team (the San Francisco 49ers).

The modern theories of causality are an intricate interplay between genetic and environmental factors that cause premature cell death of the nervous system, which is the leading cause of ALS.

Symptoms

Around 75% of those who suffer from the disease have “limb onset” ALS, meaning that the initial symptoms manifest on the legs or arms. About 25% of patients suffer from “bulbar onset” ALS, meaning that the first symptoms are difficulty eating or speaking with clarity.

The symptoms include:

• Atrophic muscle and apparent weakness
• Muscles moving
• Muscle cramps
• A weakening of the muscles in the leg or arm
• Nasal and slurred speech
• Problems talking clearly or swallowing

Treatments

Unfortunately, there aren’t cure-all therapies, and only a few treatments have a positive influence on the duration of life. One medication is approved (rilutek); however, it can only prolong several months, on average. Respiratory support is also a way to extend time – by using nocturnal breathing masks or, if you wish, a tracheostomy (surgically placed tube inside the windpipe near the bottom of the neck) to provide long-term mechanical ventilation. Many patients do not require a tracheostomy; however, it could result in a much longer lifespan even if the effects of ALS persist.

At Marcare Clinic, we review, maintain, and offer a quality health service in Hamilton, Ontario.

If you need to visit your doctor for a general medical review or receive advice on improving your quality of life, do not hesitate to contact us.