“Grey’s Anatomy” star Eric Dane has died at the age of 53 after battling ALS. What you need to know about Lou Gehrig’s disease.
What is ALS? Understanding neurodegenerative diseases
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons, the nerve cells that control movement.
“Grey’s Anatomy” star Eric Dane has died at the age of 53 after battling ALS.
ALS, short for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurological disease that affects the brain and spinal cord and causes loss of muscle control, according to the Mayo Clinic.
“ALS is a nasty disease,” Dane said in an interview with The Washington Post in October. After taking a fall in the kitchen, he was “in the hospital for stitches in his head during the Emmy Awards ceremony.”
“ALS is a progressive disease in which the connection between a person’s brain and muscles is lost, gradually leading to a loss of the ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe,” the ALS Association website states.
Here’s what you need to know about this disease.
ALS symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, ALS typically begins with muscle weakness that spreads and worsens over time. Symptoms vary from person to person depending on which nerve cells are affected, but may include the following:
- Difficulty walking, stumbling, and falling
- Muscle weakness in the hands, legs, feet, and ankles
- Slurred speech or difficulty swallowing
- muscle spasms or spasms
- Unexpected crying, laughing, or yawning
- Changes in thinking and behavior
In December, Dane announced his determination to continue working despite his symptoms.
“As an actor, I’m quite limited in what I can do physically, but I still have a brain and I can speak, so I’m willing to take on any role,” he said. “I am grateful to still be able to work in any capacity.”
What is the cause of ALS?
ALS affects nerve cells called motor neurons, which control voluntary muscle movements such as walking and talking, the Mayo Clinic explains.
“ALS causes both groups of motor neurons to gradually deteriorate and then die. When motor neurons are damaged, they stop sending messages to the muscles, and as a result, the muscles are unable to function,” the clinic points out.
In about 10% of ALS patients, a genetic cause can be identified, the clinic added. However, for the rest, the cause is unknown.
Who is at risk for ALS?
In addition to genetics as an established risk factor for ALS, age and gender are also factors to consider.
The risk of ALS increases with age, and is most common between the ages of 60 and mid-80s, according to the Mayo Clinic. The clinic also points out that men are slightly more likely to develop ALS than women before age 65, but after age 70, the gender difference disappears.
Other factors, such as smoking, exposure to toxins, and military service, are also associated with an increased risk of ALS.
ALS treatment
The ALS Association points out that while there is no cure or cure to stop the progression of ALS, certain treatments may slow or reduce symptoms.
Treatment options include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, respiratory therapy, psychological therapy and certain medications, the association said.
