Fun facts about ALS
Male
This New York Yankee legend is the most famous person to have the disease, which is often named after him.
Who is Lou Gehrig?
This is the most common early sign, often making it hard to button a shirt or turn a key.
What is muscle weakness?
ALS eventually makes it very difficult to perform this basic life function, often requiring a machine to help.
What is breathing?
This type of specialized chair is often needed as the disease makes walking too difficult or unsafe.
What is a wheelchair?
Who is the person ALS is name after?
This world-famous physicist lived with a form of ALS for over 50 years while using a computerized voice to speak.
Who is Stephen Hawking
These tiny jumps or twitches under the skin are a classic sign of the disease.
What are muscle twitches or fasciculations?
These painful, "tight" muscle feelings in the legs or arms are frequent.
What are muscle cramps?
Because ALS affects the muscles used to speak, many patients eventually use these electronic devices to talk.
What are speech-generating devices (or communication aids)?
Which age group are you most likely to get ALS?
40-70
The first chairman of the People's Republic of China.
Who is Mao Zedong?
Patients often start to do this more frequently because their legs or ankles feel weak.
What is tripping or falling?
This symptom makes it hard to chew or swallow food safely
What is choking? (or difficulty of breathing?)
To help with breathing, many patients use this small, non-invasive machine at night that blows air through a mask.
What is a BiPAP machine?
What is the main cause of ALS?
Genetics
Creator of Spongebob Squarepants.
Stephen Hillenburg
If the disease starts in the face or throat, a person's speech might sound like this.
What is slurred? (or thick)
ALS usually does not affect these five "abilities," such as sight or hearing.
When swallowing becomes too dangerous, this medical tube can be placed to ensure the patient gets enough food and water.
What is a feeding tube? (or G-tube)
What is the "A" in ALS for?
Amyotrophic
Singer of Rhinstone Cowboy.
Glen Campbell
This common leg problem makes it hard to lift the front part of the foot while walking.
What is foot drop?
This term describes muscles getting smaller or "wasting away" because they aren't being used.
What is muscle shrinking (atrophy)?
This team-based approach to care involves doctors, therapists, and nurses all working together in one clinic.
What is multidisciplinary care?