June is ALS Awareness Month
What is ALS?
With ALS, the nerve cells that control muscle movement die. The disease is neurodegenerative, which means that it gets worse over time, eventually leading to loss of mobility, speech and the ability to breathe. In Canada, 2500 to 3000 people are currently living with ALS, and about 1000 more will be diagnosed with the disease each year.
Early signs and symptoms of ALS include the following.
- tripping
- dropping things
- slurred speech
- muscle cramps
- muscle twitches
- weight loss
- pain
- weakness
- fatigue
If you are experiencing some or all of these signs and symptoms, consult your doctor.
ALS Research
ALS is a terminal disease that currently has no cure or an effective treatment. The average lifespan after a patient is diagnosed is about two to five years. ALS research is ongoing and according to the ALS Society of Canada, “ALS research has come further in the past five to seven years than in the previous century.”
The ALS Society of Canada’s website has many helpful resources to help you learn more about this disease.
For more posts like these, visit the Physical Wellness page.