Were you looking for information about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis? Amytrophic lateral sclerosis is a common misspelling of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. This neurological disease causes muscle weakness and atrophy. Individuals with ALS lose their strength and the ability to move their arms, legs, and body. In the United States, approximately 20,000 people have ALS, and an estimated 5,000 are diagnosed with it each year.
In most cases, ALS does not impair a person's mind, memory, or senses. However, a small percentage of people may experience problems with memory or decision making, and there is growing evidence that some people may develop a form of dementia.
Although there is no cure, the FDA has approved a drug for treating ALS. This drug, Riluzole (Rilutek®), is believed to reduce damage to motor neurons and prolong survival by several months (mainly in those with difficulty swallowing).
(Click Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis for more information about this neurological disease. You can also click on any of the links in the box to the right for more specific information.)
