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ALS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a degenerative disease that affects the nervous system: brain, spinal cord, motor neurons. People affected by ALS will become paralyzed, and about 80% of them will die within 5 years of being diagnosed. Death occurs because the person can not breath or swallow because of the paralysis.
In Canada there are approximately 3,000 people diagnosed with ALS. There is no known cure. There is no effective treatment. There are some new medicines that prolong life.
About 5%-10% of ALS is caused by genetic factors. The remaining 90%-95% have no known cause. Some theories point towards virus, exposure to neurotoxins, exposure to metals, and enzyme abnormalities.
Symptoms include:
- Muscle twitching or stiffness.
- Muscle atrophy.
- Difficulty walking.
- Loss of manual dexterity.
- Trouble talking clearly.
- Trouble swallowing.
- Can not stand or walk.
Cognitive function is not affected. So the person is fully aware of what is happening to them.
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