Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ALS leads to muscle weakness and atrophy, eventually resulting in paralysis. The disease is fatal and there is no cure, but there are treatments that can slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life.

Approximately 5,600 people in the United States are diagnosed with ALS each year, and the average life expectancy after diagnosis is three to five years. However, some people with ALS live for many years. The cause of ALS is unknown, but there are a number of risk factors, including age, family history, and certain genetic mutations.

Although there is no cure for ALS, there are treatments that can slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life. These include medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Researchers are also working on new treatments, including gene therapy and stem cell therapy. There is hope that these treatments will one day lead to a cure for ALS.