From Dr.Nancy Blake, a family physician, with Village Medical of CNY in Liverpool....
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a scary, progressive, neurological disease that causes muscle weakness, twitching and eventually paralysis. It can be painful as well. It usually affects adults between 40-60 years old, but younger people have had it. Males are only slightly more affected than females.
Because there is no specific test for ALS, it's diagnosis can be delayed. The symptoms are often vague and subtle. Unfortunately, it is usually fatal. There is no cure. Medications only treat the symptoms, they do not cure ALS.
ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, after the famous NY Yankees player who suffered and died from the disease. There is progressive damage in the spinal cord as well as the nerves in the rest of the body. The usual progression is weakness of the lower extremities and moves its way up. Paralysis of the diaphragm, or breathing muscles can cause respiratory failure.
Survival can be a year or two or up to many, many years such as in the case of the famous physicist Steven Hawking. Those most likely to have the nonprogressive disease are young men whose symptoms start in their arms.
University Hospital is starting a Lithium clinical drug trial for ALS patients, attempting to slow the progression of the disease and is looking for people to participate. If you would like to apply for this clinical drug trial, call University Hospital at 464-5004
If you have health questions for Doctor Nancy...or would like to suggest a topic, get in touch. You can phone or email us at 477-9400 or news@cnycentral.com
