What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells (neurons) called motor neurons. It belongs to a group of disorders known as motor neuron diseases, which all involve the gradual weakening and death of motor neurons. Motor neurons are nerve cells located in the brain, brain stem, and spinal chord; they are responsible for making a communication between the muscles and the brain. ALS only effects the motor neurons that provide voluntary movements and muscle power. These actions are ones you make a conscious effort to do (reaching for the phone), these actions are controlled by the muscles in the arms and legs. The heart and digestive system are not involved in ALS because they deal with automatic or involuntary movements. While breathing may seem involuntary you can hold your breath so ALS can effect breathing as well.
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