What is thought to cause ALS?
The exact cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is largely unknown, but genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors are all believed to play a role. The neurodegenerative disease is characterized by the death of motor neurons, which are the nerve cells that control muscle movements.
What famous person has ALS disease?
Astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, whose ALS was diagnosed in 1963, had the disease for 55 years, the longest recorded time.
What are 5 characteristics of ALS?
Symptoms
- Difficulty walking or doing normal daily activities.
- Tripping and falling.
- Weakness in your leg, feet or ankles.
- Hand weakness or clumsiness.
- Slurred speech or trouble swallowing.
- Muscle cramps and twitching in your arms, shoulders and tongue.
- Inappropriate crying, laughing or yawning.
- Cognitive and behavioral changes.
What month is ALS Awareness Month?
May is ALS Awareness Month.
What does ALS in hands feel like?
The first sign of ALS is often weakness in one leg, one hand, the face, or the tongue. The weakness slowly spreads to both arms and both legs. This happens because as the motor neurons slowly die, they stop sending signals to the muscles. So the muscles don’t have anything telling them to move.
Can ALS be prevented?
There is no definite method to prevent ALS. However, people with ALS can participate in clinical trials, the National ALS Registry, and the National ALS Biorepository. This participation may help researchers learn about potential causes and risk factors of the disease.
What flower represents ALS?
The Blue Cornflower is the national flower of hope for ALS/MND. The Blue Cornflower plant is a very courageous plant, being able to stand up all the elements of nature (something many other plants cannot do) and the flower, with its star-like blossoms of brilliant blue, is one of our most striking wild-flowers.