Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gherig's Disease)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a deadly disease of the nervous system.
Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS at this time affects 25,000 people in
the U.S. today. One in 50,000 people will be affected in any one year. The
average age for diagnosis of ALS is between 30 and 70, although there have been
cases of teenagers contracting it.The average life span after diagnosis are
three to 10 years, although 20 percent of those affected will outlive their
prognosis by a number of years. ALS affects more men than women. Approximately
60 percent of those affected are male, 40 percent are female.
Little is known about the exact cause of ALS at this time, although it
can be traced back to chromosome 21. The defect is inherited as an autosmal
dominant trait. Other theories such as metal poisons, viral infections, even
aging have been considered. ALS attacks the motor neurons in your nervous
system that control your muscles. Your......
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