10+Facts+about+ALS

=10 Facts About ALS, information taken from the ALS society of Canada.=

> Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis > Sclérose latérale amyotrophique > Lou Gehrig's Disease > Maladie de Lou Gehrig > Motor Neuron Disease (MND) > Maladie de Charcot > Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis > Nerve cells degenerate > Muscles are paralyzed > Generally the intellect & senses are unimpaired > Male or female > Any ethnic origin > At any age > Some have been diagnosed as teens > Usual onset is in middle age > Some will die within a few short months > Some people live longer > Less than 10% are familial ALS > ALS is not contagious > ALS is the most common cause of neurological death > 90% of home care is shouldered by family caregivers > ALS is a costly disease - emotionally, physically and financially > Information and referrals > Support for the person with ALS and their family > Equipment programs > Advocacy > Research is our best hope > Partner with us for a cure – Call 1-800-267-4257
 * 1) **ALS is also called . . .**
 * 1) **ALS is a rapidly progressive fatal neuromuscular disease.**
 * 1) **ALS can strike anyone.**
 * 1) **80% die of ALS within two to five years of diagnosis**
 * 1) **Some cases are hereditary.**
 * 1) **Approximately 2,500-3,000 Canadians currently live with ALS.**
 * 2) **Every day two or three Canadians die of ALS.**
 * 1) **ALS strikes the whole family.**
 * 1) **Your ALS Society provides quality care**
 * 1) **The ALS Society of Canada funds excellent and relevant research into the cause of ALS**

[] March 15, 2010