From the causes of Lou Gehrig's disease to its treatment, the story behind Sean's nursing home and the Ice Bucket Challenge.

Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a frightening disease that gradually destroys nerves, weakening muscles and ultimately rendering a person unable to move.

 

Recent broadcaster Sean In this 'Full-time View', the process of establishing a nursing hospital for patients with Lou Gehrig's disease was introduced, and many people became interested in this disease again.

 

 

Also, it heated up the whole world Ice Bucket Challenge As it reminds us of Lou Gehrig's disease, voices are growing louder saying, "Let's not forget."

 

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1. What is Lou Gehrig's disease?

- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

- Motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord are gradually destroyed
- Gradually, movement becomes impossible because the brain's commands are not transmitted to the muscles.
- Eventually leading to paralysis of the limbs and difficulty breathing

 

 

World-renowned physicist Dr. Stephen Hawking suffered from Lou Gehrig's disease for a long time.

There is no cure yet, but medication and rehabilitation treatment are available. It can slow down the progress.

 

 

 

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2. Early symptoms of Lou Gehrig's disease

• I often drop things because my hands feel weak.
• Pronunciation becomes slurred and speech becomes increasingly short.
• Difficulty swallowing food and frequent choking
• Frequent muscle cramps and tremors
• Difficulty walking and climbing stairs

 

 

 

 

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3. Lou Gehrig's Disease Self-Diagnosis Checklist

To the question below 2 or more 'yes' If so, you definitely need to see a neurologist.

 

1. My hand has become much weaker in recent months.
2. Your pronunciation becomes slurred for no reason.
3. Frequently choking and difficulty swallowing
4. My legs feel weak and I have trouble walking.
5. Frequent muscle tremors or cramps

 

Self-diagnosis is for reference only, and an accurate diagnosis must be made through a doctor's examination.

 

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4. Causes and Genetics of Lou Gehrig's Disease

- familial Lou Gehrig's disease : Approximately 5-10% of all patients, associated with specific genetic mutations

- Sporadic Lou Gehrig's disease: most of the rest, no clear cause
- Environmental factors are also associated with the possibility of developing the disease → smoking, certain chemicals, repeated physical stress, etc.

 

 

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5. Treatment and Management of Lou Gehrig's Disease

Although a cure is difficult, the following management can improve the patient's quality of life.

 

• medication : Riluzole, edaravone → delay in nerve cell damage
• rehabilitation treatment : Maintaining muscles with physical and occupational therapy
• Respiratory care : Requires ventilator, assistive devices
• Nutrition management : Gastrostomy feeding for dysphagia
• psychological support : Both the patient and their family need counseling.

 

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6. Lou Gehrig's disease: When and where should I go to the hospital?

✅When should I go?

• When you frequently drop things due to lack of strength in your hands and feet
• When your pronunciation becomes slurred and your voice becomes weak
• When you often get choked up when swallowing food
• When muscle tremors and cramps occur repeatedly without reason
• When your legs feel weak and you feel uneasy walking

 

👉 These symptoms Lasts for several weeks or more If it persists or gets worse, you should visit a hospital without delay.

 

 

✅Where should I go?

• The first treatment is Neurology (General hospitals and university hospitals recommended)
• Differential diagnosis is possible through nerve conduction studies, electromyography, MRI, and blood tests.
• ALS specialty clinic 
• - Existence of Lou Gehrig's disease clinics in large hospitals such as Seoul National University Hospital, Severance Hospital, and Samsung Medical Center.
  - Because it is a rare and incurable disease, multidisciplinary treatment is required, including neurology, rehabilitation medicine, and respiratory medicine.

 

👉 Early diagnosis increases the effectiveness of drug treatment and buys valuable time for patients and their families to begin treatment and preparation.

 

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7. Is it possible to prevent Lou Gehrig's disease?

There is no clear preventative method yet.

but Healthy lifestyle habits may help reduce the risk of developing the disease.

 

- No smoking, no drinking
- Regular exercise
- A nutritionally balanced diet
- Minimize exposure to toxic substances
- Regular checkups 

 

Above all else Early detection This is the most important.

 

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8. Sean and Lou Gehrig's Disease Hospital

singer Sean has been donating and working for patients with Lou Gehrig's disease for a long time.

As a result, the first in the country Lou Gehrig's disease specialty hospital Construction is underway, and this is a great hope for patients and their families.

 

 

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9. The Impact of the Ice Bucket Challenge

A campaign to raise awareness of Lou Gehrig's disease in the summer of 2014, where people poured ice water over themselves.
The effect went beyond mere fad and led to real results.

 

• Raised over $200 million worldwide
• Funding for Lou Gehrig's disease research increases nearly sevenfold.
• Expanding the number of patient support clinics from 30 to over 100.
• More than 5 new related genes discovered

 

Recently, American college students have repurposed the Ice Bucket Challenge into a mental health campaign.
ALS patient groups are also raising their voices saying, "Let's not forget the original meaning of ALS."

 

 

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10. Conclusion – Tasks We Must Undertake Together

Lou Gehrig's disease is still an incurable disease with no cure.
but Sean's Nursing Home, Ice Bucket Challenge, Small Donations and Interest It's a huge help to these patients.

 

Lou Gehrig's disease is no longer 'someone else's story.'
The greatest hope for patients and their families is if we all take a little interest and find ways to help.

 

 

 

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