What You Need to Know about ALS

This book offers an accessibly written introduction to ALS, focusing on the topics that matter most to anyone whose life has been affected--directly or indirectly--by this condition.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the motor neurons that drive voluntary movement. Those diagnosed with ALS experience difficulty moving and speaking and, as the condition worsens, difficulty swallowing and breathing. Beyond this definition, however, what do those affected by ALS need to know?

What You Need to Know about ALS is a part of Greenwood’s Inside Diseases and Disorders series. This series profiles a variety of physical and psychological conditions, and distills vast collections of scientific knowledge into concise, readable volumes. A list of ＂Top 10＂ essential questions begins each book, providing quick-access answers to readers’ concerns. The text follows a standardized structure, with each chapter exploring a particular facet of the topic. In addition to covering causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options, books in this series delve into issues that are less commonly addressed but still critical to understand, such as effects on loved ones and caregivers. Case illustrations highlight key themes discussed in the book and are accompanied by insightful analyses and recommendations.

Harry LeVine III, PhD, is associate professor in the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging at the University of Kentucky.