What is ALS?

Recently, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has taken the nation by storm due to social media.  It begins by an individual or a group pouring a bucket of ice on their head and then calling out 3 others to do the same.  They then hashtag it with #alsicebucketchallenge or #icebucketchallenge.  With this raised awareness, the ALS Association has received over 22 million dollars in donations.  The challenge is fun to watch as your favorite celebrities and athletes take part, along with your neighbor next door.  Everyone knows about the ice bucket challenge, but very few know about the disease itself.  Here is a brief rundown:

What is ALS?

ALS stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.  It is a disease that affects the motor neurons in our body.  Motor neurons control muscle function, whereas sensory neurons allow you to feel things.  In ALS, motor neurons slowly begin to die and patients begin to have muscle weakness and eventually loss of muscle function.

What are the symptoms of ALS?

The symptoms of ALS are not simple like the symptoms of a cold or flu.  Each person can have very different symptoms.  Some may have severe symptoms, other will start with very minor changes.  These can include, weakness in one limb, trouble swallowing or breathing, slurred speech, or twitching or cramping of muscles.  As the disease progresses, patients will have significant trouble breathing, chewing, swallowing, or speaking.  These symptoms are very broad and can be caused by various other diseases, making the diagnosis of ALS a very tough one early on.

Who gets ALS?

• Higher incidence in men by about 20%
• Most commonly found in ages 40 to 50
• Only about 5% report a family history.  Most cases are random.
• 5,600 people diagnosed annually with ALS in the United States
• Unclear who will get ALS and why.  Research studies are ongoing.

Is there a cure for ALS?

There is no cure for ALS.  There is a medication called riluzole which can help slow down the progression of ALS, but it is eventually a fatal disease.

How can you help?

Spreading the word is important, but donating to the cause at the same time is invaluable.  You can donate to the ALS Association at http://www.alsa.org/.  Your contributions will contribute to ALS research and hope to one day treat this debilitating disease.

In the end, I wanted to post a very funny Charlie Sheen #alsicebucketchallenge and also one by the Ohio State Buckeyes football team.  Both are unique and entertaining.

Now it's your turn to take the challenge and make a donation!