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- What is ALS
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease," is a progressive
neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach
from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The
progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually lead to their death. When the motor
neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary
muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally
paralyzed. Yet, through it all, for the vast majority of people, their minds remain unaffected.
A-myo-trophic comes from the Greek language. "A" means no or negative. "Myo" refers to muscle, and
"Trophic" means nourishment---"No muscle nourishment." When a muscle has no nourishment, it
"atrophies" or wastes away. "Lateral" identifies the areas in a person's spinal cord where portions of the
nerve cells that signal and control the muscles are located. As this area degenerates it leads to scarring or
hardening ("sclerosis") in the region.
As motor neurons degenerate, they can no longer send impulses to the muscle fibers that normally result
in muscle movement. Early symptoms of ALS often include increasing muscle weakness, especially
involving the arms and legs, speech, swallowing or breathing. When muscles no longer receive the
messages from the motor neurons that they require to function, the muscles begin to atrophy (become
smaller). Limbs begin to look "thinner" as muscle tissue atrophies.
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| Thank you Don Sifford Owner, SEMO Motor Transport Service |
SEMO Motor Transport Service supports the ALS Association. Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease is now known
to have affected three consecutive generations of the Sifford family (descendants
of Luther Sifford of Stoddard County. Missouri). Presently there is no known
cure. Several members of the Sifford Family are now participating in research
programs with the objective to find a prevention, cure, or treatment for the
disease. We also support the ALS Association's research with financial
contributions and donations of our time. The family solicits your support of the
ALS Association's efforts to give hope to all those impacted by this disease. To
learn more about ALS and how you can help, please visit the ALS Association's
website by clicking on the icon below.
Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease is now known
to have affected three consecutive generations of the Sifford family (descendants
of Luther Sifford of Stoddard County. Missouri). Presently there is no known
cure. Several members of the Sifford Family are now participating in research
programs with the objective to find a prevention, cure, or treatment for the
disease. We also support the ALS Association's research with financial
contributions and donations of our time. The family solicits your support of the
ALS Association's efforts to give hope to all those impacted by this disease. To
learn more about ALS and how you can help, please visit the ALS Association's
website by clicking on the icon below.
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