The Ice Bucket Challenge, a viral fundraising campaign for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is making a return in support of former NFL and East Carolina University running back Chris Johnson. Johnson recently shared he was diagnosed with sporadic ALS at age 39 after initially noticing weakness in his right hand.
Johnson hopes his diagnosis and the revival of the Ice Bucket Challenge, which involves filming yourself getting ice-cold water dumped onto your head and nominating someone to go next, will raise awareness and drive research for the currently uncurable condition, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
What is sporadic ALS?
ALS is considered sporadic when it occurs without a known family history. Sporadic ALS makes up over 85% of ALS cases, making it the more common type of ALS.
“There isn’t a clearly known cause of sporadic ALS, but there may be environmental, genetic and lifestyle factors at play,” explained Dr. Leo McCluskey, a neurologist at Atrium Health Neurology Specialty Care. “Another differentiator between familial and sporadic ALS is the onset of the disease. Familial can sometimes have an earlier onset; however, that was not the case for Chris Johnson.”
What are common ALS symptoms?
ALS symptoms are usually painless and involve progressive muscle weakness. How the ALS symptoms present are unique to every person. For example, some people first experience limb-onset symptoms while
- Limb-onset symptoms: Symptoms first present as arm and leg muscle weakness. This presentation makes up 80% of cases. You may notice you’re stumbling more, dropping objects or feeling your muscle twitch.
- Bulbar-onset symptoms: Symptoms first present as weakness in the muscles used for swallowing, speaking and eating. Researchers have noticed that bulbar-onset ALS can progress faster than limb-onset ALS, but it’s important to remember that every ALS experience is unique.
Despite the type of onset, ALS symptoms will eventually affect the entire body.
How is ALS diagnosed?
ALS doesn’t have a direct diagnostic test. A lot of the diagnostic process involves ruling out other conditions that have overlapping symptoms.
The diagnostic process can include:
- Physical exams
- Review of family medical history
- Review of personal medical history
- Comprehensive review of symptom onset and progression
- Electromyography (EMG), determines if your muscles respond to nerve stimulation
- MRI
- Blood tests
- Genetic testing, even if sporadic ALS
How is ALS treated?
There isn’t a known cure for ALS. Rather, Dr. McCluskey said ALS treatment involves alleviating symptoms and maximizing quality of life.
“There are also many clinical trials underway that hopefully will unveil new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent ALS for future generations,” Dr. McCluskey said.
Learn more about ALS research at Atrium Health
