Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsStages of ALSIs There a Cure?Treatment AdvancementsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Stages of ALS
Is There a Cure?
Treatment Advancements
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no cure foramyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS). However, researchers continue to look for potential treatments and additional medications to help slow the progression of the disease. Studies are also taking place to improve understanding of the condition and to help identify risk factors that might lead to the development of ALS.
This article discusses current medications and recent advances in the treatment of ALS.
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The Stages of ALS
ALS progresses instages. Earlysymptoms of ALScan include:
As ALS progresses, individuals often begin to stumble and fall and have difficulty performing basic daily tasks such as getting dressed or writing.
In advanced stages, muscle weakness leads to an inability to speak, swallow, and walk. Individuals will require mechanical ventilation when the muscles used for breathing (diaphragm) stop working. People with this condition ultimately become wheelchair-dependent.
As ALS progresses, it will eventually lead to death.
Formal Staging of ALS
The two formal staging systems for ALS are:
Is There an ALS Cure?
There is no cure for ALS. Medications can help slow the progression of the disease, and therapies help individuals with the condition adapt to physical and emotional changes that occur.
Medications
Therapies
A variety of therapies can help individuals adapt to the physical and psychological challenges that occur with ALS.
Prognosis for ALSThe prognosis for ALS is poor. Average survival time from diagnosis is three years, but a small percentage of individuals with this condition live much longer.
Prognosis for ALS
The prognosis for ALS is poor. Average survival time from diagnosis is three years, but a small percentage of individuals with this condition live much longer.
ALS Support Groups for Patients and Caregivers
New Advancements in ALS Treatment
Areas of focus for research on ALS include:
Researchers also continue to perform clinical trials to study potential new medications that can be used to treat ALS.Individuals with ALS can join theNational Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Registryto learn more about current research and how to donate biological materials (such asdeoxyribonucleicacid (DNA), blood, or other tissues) to theNational ALS Biorepository.
Is There a Cure for ALS?
Summary
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe average survival time for people with ALS is three years. According to the ALS Association, around 20% of people with the condition live for five years, while 5% live for 20 years or more.Unfortunately, there is no cure for or way to prevent ALS from progressing, even with early diagnosis. However, medications can help slow the disease progression.Symptoms of ALS progress at different rates for individuals with this condition. However, the disease does not go into remission.
The average survival time for people with ALS is three years. According to the ALS Association, around 20% of people with the condition live for five years, while 5% live for 20 years or more.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for or way to prevent ALS from progressing, even with early diagnosis. However, medications can help slow the disease progression.
Symptoms of ALS progress at different rates for individuals with this condition. However, the disease does not go into remission.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Fang T, Al Khleifat A, Stahl DR, et al.Comparison of the king’s and MiToS staging systems for ALS.Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener. 2017;18(3-4):227-232. doi:10.1080/21678421.2016.1265565
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA approves oral form for the treatment of adults with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA approves treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associated with a mutation in the SOD1 gene.
ALS Association.Stages of ALS.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.ClinicalTrials.gov: ALS.
ALS Association.Who gets ALS?
ALS Association.Understanding ALS.
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