About ALS

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Motor Neuron Disease (MND) or Lou Gehrig's Disease, no matter what you call it, it is the most common cause of neurological death in Canada. It is a progressive and ultimately fatal neuromuscular disease. ALS causes nerve cells to degenerate, the voluntary muscles weaken and the individual with ALS becomes increasingly immobile. Unlike other causes of paralysis though, ALS leaves the senses unimpaired. Also important is the fact that the intellect is often unaffected. Approximately 3,000 Canadians live with ALS and, at any given time, about 60 reside in Nova Scotia. The numbers fluctuate, as about 20 people with ALS in NS die each year, while an equal number will be diagnosed. Ninety percent of care is shouldered by family caregivers making ALS a costly disease - emotionally, physically and financially - and affects the whole family.

ALS can strike anyone, male or female, any ethnic origin and at any age, occasionally even some in their teens have been diagnosed. The usual onset is in middle age and though some will die within a few short months and some will live longer than five years, 90% die within three to five years of diagnosis. Some cases are hereditary though less than 10% are familial ALS.

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