Patient Issues
What is ALS?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a type of motor neuron disease that affects 20,000 to 30,000 Americans
Where Do I Go From Here?
ALS is a challenging disease. We will be here to guide you in treatment and in supportive care and pointing you in the right direction
Are There Treatments?
So far, there are no treatments that arrest or reverse the disease, but there are treatments for symptoms and for prolonging life and maximizing function.
Is Stem Cell Therapy Ready?
There has been great enthusiasm for using stem cells to treat ALS and many other diseases
Improving Nutrition / Swallowing
Maintaining a good nutrition status can be difficult when living with ALS. Decreased appetite, stress and trouble chewing or swallowing can affect your food intake.
Breathing Better / Communication
As the muscles that expand the lungs begin to weaken, respiratory failure becomes a concern for people with ALS.
Occupational and Physical Therapy
Occupational therapy evaluates how a person with ALS performs daily functional tasks that include personal care, mobility and work activities.
Coping with ALS
Coping with a chronic illness, such as ALS, can become quite emotionally draining for patients and their families.
Guiding Treatment in ALS
The American Academy of Neurology published guidelines for treatment of ALS in October 2009.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about ALS
Make a Clinic Appointment
Make an appointment with the University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurology