What is ALS and how common is it?

Summary

Mike, a 52-year-old financial adviser, experiences shoulder soreness, a limp, and muscle twitching, eventually leading to an ALS diagnosis. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive motor neuron disease that causes muscle weakness, stiffness, and paralysis. ALS affects more men than women, and while there's no cure, clinical trials are underway for potential treatments. Currently, there are about 200,000 people worldwide living with ALS, with approximately 3,000 cases in Canada. The disease often leads to death within 2-5 years due to respiratory failure.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mike, a 52-year-old financial adviser, experienced symptoms of ALS, including shoulder pain, a limp, and muscle twitching.
• 😀 ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a motor neuron disease that causes the degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord.
• 😀 The disease progresses to paralysis, starting with muscle weakness and stiffness, and affects muscles, including the diaphragm.
• 😀 ALS can be classified into two types: sporadic (90-95% of cases) and familial (5-10% of cases).
• 😀 More than 200,000 people worldwide are living with ALS, with about 3,000 cases in Canada.
• 😀 The incidence rate of ALS is approximately 1 to 2 new cases per 100,000 people annually.
• 😀 Men are twice as likely as women to develop ALS.
• 😀 ALS often leads to death from respiratory failure within 2 to 5 years after diagnosis.
• 😀 In Canada, 2 to 3 people die from ALS every day.
• 😀 There is currently no cure for ALS, though there are ongoing clinical trials testing potential drugs.
• 😀 For more information on ALS and related content, viewers are encouraged to visit the Demystified Medicine video series.

Q & A

What symptoms did Mike experience before being diagnosed with ALS?

Mike first experienced soreness and stiffness in his shoulder, followed by a limp and muscle twitching in his arm. Initially, he attributed these symptoms to old age, but they worsened over time, leading him to seek medical attention.

What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?

ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a motor neuron disease characterized by the degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. This leads to muscle weakness, stiffness, and eventually paralysis.

How does ALS progress in the body?

ALS starts with muscle weakness and stiffness, which then spreads to other muscles, including those involved in breathing (diaphragm). As the motor neurons deteriorate, muscles weaken and die, leading to paralysis.

What are the two main forms of ALS?

The two main forms of ALS are sporadic and familial. Sporadic cases account for 90-95% of ALS diagnoses, while familial cases make up 5-10%.

How common is ALS worldwide?

More than 200,000 people worldwide are living with ALS, with approximately 3,000 cases in Canada alone.

What is the annual incidence rate of ALS?

There is an estimated one to two new cases of ALS per 100,000 people each year.

Which gender is more likely to develop ALS?

Men are twice as likely as women to develop ALS.

What is the typical prognosis for people diagnosed with ALS?

The typical prognosis for ALS patients is death from respiratory failure within two to five years of diagnosis.

How many people die of ALS daily in Canada?

In Canada, two to three people die from ALS each day.

Is there a cure for ALS?

Currently, there is no cure for ALS, but there are drugs undergoing clinical trials that may offer potential treatments in the future.