Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and Natural Approaches

ALS, largely brought to light by baseball legend Lou Gehrig’s diagnosis in 1939, is a neurodegenerative disorder for which the cause and cure remain elusive.

ALS causes progressive nerve cell degeneration, disrupting signals to muscles and leading to loss of muscle function. Illustration by Fei Meng

ALS causes progressive nerve cell degeneration, disrupting signals to muscles and leading to loss of muscle function. Illustration by Fei Meng

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease and, in Europe, Charcot’s disease is a serious neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive weakening and wasting of muscles. ALS slowly takes away the ability to walk, eat, and breathe.

First identified in 1869, ALS gained widespread recognition with baseball legend Lou Gehrig’s diagnosis in 1939, which led to his retirement. In 2014, the global Ice Bucket Challenge brought the disease into the social media spotlight. Today, approximately 31,000 Americans are living with ALS, with around 5,000 new cases diagnosed each year.