Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a degenerative motor neuron disease. Most of us have heard of it in large part due to the awareness brought about by the “Ice Bucket Challenge” phenomenon.
Many of us know that it is a devastating disease. Unfortunately, I have seen this devastation firsthand.
While the progression of ALS is variable, the average survival time of an individual diagnosed with it is three years. However:
- 20% of individuals will live five years after diagnosis
- 10% will live 10 years after diagnosis
- 5% will live 20 years after diagnosis
The cause of it has been largely unknown. Only about 5% of cases being attributed to genetics.
Experts in the field have discovered two major risk factors for ALS:
- Age – It typically presents between 40 and 60 years of age
- Trauma – Especially is this trauma happens to the spinal cord or brain
There is much still to learn, but researchers are making progress. One physician has a theory of what possibly contributes to its development and progression. While research is needed to support his theories, Dr. Steenblock has anecdotal evidence from his practice treating ALS patients.
Dr. Steenblock believes there are a series of events that puts one at risk for ALS and contributes to it’s progression. In an interview with Dr. Steenblock, he states,
“I believe that ALS is a complicated combination of unfortunate circumstances that occur sequentially.”
Read more about Dr. Steenblock’s theory here and here. More information on Dr. Steenblock’s small retrospective study can be found here.
Although this is still a theory, Dr. Steenblock has seen improvement in his patients by individualizing treatment based on his findings. We can only hope that Dr. Steenblock is on to something.
