How ALS Affects the Brain and Body

Also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis has been described as a hurricane. When it lands, it strikes with a destructive force. And once the storm hits, the damage is devastating and robs you of the life you once knew. 

ALS destroys nerve cells in your brain and spinal cord that are important for motor function. As neurons are destroyed, the body gradually loses muscle function. As a progressive neurological disorder that destroys motor neurons, ALS can also cause limited mobility, limiting your ability to perform daily activities, and also lead to shortness of breath and a poor posture.

What Does Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mean? 

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis may seem like complicated terminology, but it accurately describes what this disease does to you as far as medical jargon goes. Amyotrophic comes from the Greek language. “A” refers to no, “myo” refers to muscle, and “trophic” means feeding or nourishment. So amyotrophic means that your muscles aren’t being nourished. When your muscles don’t get the nourishment they need, they atrophy. As a result, atrophic muscles wither away in size and are no longer as functional as they once were.

“Lateral” in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis refers to the spinal cord area where neurons are destroyed, aligning with areas of the spinal cord that are responsible for controlling muscles.

“Sclerosis” means scarring. In ALS, your muscles are deprived of the nourishment they need due to scarring of neurons in the lateral part of your spinal cord. Since you can’t use your muscles, they begin to lose mass and slowly wither away until they’re unusable. “If you don’t use it, you lose it,” is true when it comes to your body’s function.

ALS leads to weak and stiff muscles, poor movement coordination, difficulty speaking and swallowing, unwanted weight loss, and shortness of breath. 

What ALS Can’t Take Away From You

As difficult as the symptoms of Lou Gehrig’s Disease are, its destructive path is limiting. ALS can’t take away your ability to think or learn. It will never destroy your memories or impact your ability to feel love. And although ALS does limit your movement, it can’t fully limit your ability to pursue your dreams. Some of the most influential people in history have had ALS. Yet, despite their diagnosis, they were able to share their gifts with the world. 

Influential People with ALS

Lou Gehrig: The Man for Which this Disease Bears its Name

Gehrig was a professional baseball first baseman who played for the New York Yankees for 17 years. Due to his durability and power-hitting, Gehrig was given the nickname “The Iron Horse.” Between 1923-1939 he set the record for the most consecutive games played (2,130), which stood for 56 years. He retired at the age of 36 due to the impact that ALS had on his body.

Although ALS was identified in 1869 by the French neurologist Jean-Martin Charco, it became more widely known after ending Lou Gehrig’s baseball career.

Stephen Hawking: Theoretical Physicist, Cosmologist, and Author

Hawking lived more than 50 years after being diagnosed with a progressive motor neuron disease. While ALS may have crippled his body, it had zero impact on Hawking’s brilliant mind.

Stephen Hawking has been awarded thirteen honorary degrees throughout his career, the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2009), the Wolf Foundation prize (1988), and a long list of other degrees and honors. In addition, he’s authored eight books, co-authored five books with colleagues, five children’s fiction books with his daughter Lucy, and has made over 14 television and media appearances. All of Hawking’s work has contributed to advancing our understanding of physics and the nature of the universe.

Hawking died at 76, occupying a body that a motor neuron disease had ravaged for decades. His mind, however, was the symbol of mind over matter.

Keeping The Mind And Body Separate

ALS is a degenerative disease that weakens muscles and cripples the body. However, as a motor neuron disease, the damage is limited only to the muscles, leaving the mind intact. So regardless if you or someone you love has ALS, a rich and fulfilled life is still possible. Whether it’s through baseball like Lou Gehrig or by focusing on expanding the mind of others, like Stephen Hawking, you can become a symbol of how even in the face of devastating adversity, opportunity exists as long as you put your mind to it.