ALS Fast Facts

What is ALS?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rapidly progressive disease that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. Eventually, patients lose their strength and ability to move their arms, legs and body. When muscles in the diaphragm and chest wall fail, patients cannot breathe without ventilatory support. Most people with ALS die from respiratory failure, usually within three to five years. About 10 percent of patients survive for 10 years or more.

Who gets ALS?
As many as 30,000 Americans have ALS, and an estimated 5,000 Americans are diagnosed every year. ALS most commonly strikes people ages 40 to 60, men more often than women.

What are the symptoms?
The earliest symptoms may include twitching, cramping or stiffness of muscles; weakness of arm or leg muscles; slurred and nasal speech; or difficulty chewing or swallowing.

What causes ALS?
The cause is not known. Research suggests mutations in a particular gene are associated with some cases of inherited ALS.

How is ALS treated?
No cure has been found. However, the Food and Drug Administration has approved riluzole, a drug that is believed to reduce damage to motor neurons of ALS patients. Clinical trials show riluzole prolongs survival by several months and extends the time before a patient needs ventilation support.

Source: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

ALS Facts

• ALS is incurable and always fatal
• ALS causes increasing paralysis and results in death from respiratory failure
• Approximately 30, 000 Americans have ALS in America
• About every 90 minutes someone dies from ALS and usually within 2-3 years of diagnosis
• ALS effects both sexes, all races and most commonly strikes in middle age
• ALS is diagnosed about as often as MS and more frequently than Muscular Dystrophy

For more information about ALS we highly recommend the following websites:

• ALS Association
• Muscular Dystrophy Association
• ALS Survival Guide

Free ALS Manual

The ALS Society of Canada has created an ALS Manual which covers almost every aspect of living and coping with ALS. It is available as a free download. Click here to get it now.

Knowledge is power!
By learning all you can about the disease you will be better able to cope with ALS and manage its symptoms.

Join a support group or ALS clinic. You don't have to face ALS alone.

Ride for Life is here to assist you. Please feel free to contact us at email@rideforlife.com.