Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Soccer: Is there a Connection?
NetofCare E-Newsletter - October 2003Early this year, there was a media report of a suspected cluster of ALS among Italian soccer players. This important scientific observation requires scientific study although, at this time, it is not clear exactly what the possible association between ALS and soccer playing may be. The Miami Herald and the National Italian American Foundation have announced and published story updates.
Related QuestionsWhat is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?
Quality Health | Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive wasting away of certain nerve cells of the brain and spinal column called motor neurons. The motor neurons control the voluntary muscles, which are the muscles that allow movement. ALS is a progressive, disabling, usually fatal disease. Walking, speaking, eating, swallowing, breathing, and other basic functions become more difficult with time.
Related QuestionsDiagnosed with ALS: Frequently Asked Questions >> Medical Qu...Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rapidly progressive, invariably fatal neurological disease. ALS get name of Lou Gehrig's disease after the Yankees baseball player who died of it in 1941. In Britain and elsewhere in the world, ALS refers to a motor neuron disease, in reference to the cells that are lost in this disorder. The word amyotrophic means without muscle nourishment. It refers to the loss of signals the nerves normally send to the muscles.Related Questions
What Does "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis" Mean?
Frequently Asked QuestionsA-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 nourish the muscles are located.
Related QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions About ALSquot;A-myo-trophic" comes from the Greek. "A" means no or negative, "Myo" refers to muscle and "Trophic" means nourishment: thus "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 nourish the muscles are located.Related Questions
What is Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis - Frequently Asked Questions FAQMultiple Sclerosis is a neurological condition brought about by the degradation of the protective sheath around the nerves of the central nervous system (CNS). This protective sheath known as myelin is attacked by the body's immune system causing areas of damage called plaques or lesions in a process known as demyelination.
Related QuestionsMSAA - FAQMultiple Sclerosis, also referred to as "MS," is a neurological disorder affecting the nerves of the brain and spinal cord. MS is thought to be an "autoimmune" disease, which means that a person's own immune system is attacking his or her body. This attack damages the protective covering to the nerves (myelin) and eventually the nerves (axons) as well.Related Questions
National Multiple Sclerosis Society - National Capital Chapt...MS is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that affects approximately 400,000 Americans. Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe enough to cause blindness or paralysis. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are giving hope to those affected by the disease.Related Questions
Multiple Sclerosis FAQMultiple Sclerosis is a chronic often disabling disease of the central nervous system. In young adults, it is one of the most common central nervous system diseases. Sclerosis are "scars" such as plaques or lesions in the brain and spinal cord. Multiple Sclerosis is a progressive disease in which scattered patches of the protective myelin sheath covering of the nerve fibers in the brain and spine (the central nervous system) are damaged or destroyed.Related Questions
MS Society of Australia - MS information - FAQsMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that randomly attacks the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). The progress, severity and specific symptoms of the disease cannot be predicted; symptoms may range from tingling and numbness to paralysis and blindness. MS is a devastating disease because people live with its unpredictable physical and emotional effects for the rest of their lives.Related Questions
What about lateral (side) impacts?
Isaac - FAQStandard lateral impact tests have not yet been developed for racing, but they are in the works. Computer simulations indicate that Isaac® will reduce head loads caused by lateral impacts by 50%. This makes sense. Isaac® should offer some lateral support because one shock will be in tension and the other in compression. Tether-based "head restraints" only work in tension — you can't push on a rope.
Related QuestionsWhat causes Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis - Frequently Asked Questions FAQThere isn't a definitive answer to this. It is thought that there may be a genetic or hereditary element giving rise to a predisposition to the condition. It is also believed that diet and virus' may play a part. A less popular theory is that mercury poisoning could be a major contributor in some patients.
Related QuestionsHow is Multiple Sclerosis diagnosed?
Multiple Sclerosis - Frequently Asked Questions FAQUsually with difficulty. The symptoms of MS can vary greatly especially in the early stages. It is very difficult for a GP, even one familiar with MS, to associate the early symptoms specifically with multiple sclerosis as these symptoms could have many other possible causes. Once MS is suspected you will be referred to a Neurologist who will conduct a number of tests designed to test reflexes and other sensory reactions.
Related QuestionsWhat is the cure for Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis - Frequently Asked Questions FAQThere is NO known cure, although there are a number of treatments which may reduce the severity of the symptoms.
Related QuestionsWhat are the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis?
Multiple Sclerosis - Frequently Asked Questions FAQThere is no straight-forward answer to this. Every multiple sclerosis sufferer will experience different symptoms to differing degrees. Common symptoms are impaired vision, loss of hearing, tiredness, loss of motor control in the arms and/or legs (spasticity) and muscle spasm or cramps and pains.
Related QuestionsFAQMS is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). For reasons that are not fully understood, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks portions of the CNS. The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord and contains millions of nerves. Nerve cells, or neurons, are made up of axons, which are long output fibers that transmit electrical impulses to dendrites, or input fibers in another neuron.Related Questions
MS Society of the ACT - Frequently Asked QuestionsMultiple Sclerosis (MS) is a condition of the central nervous system; the nerves of the brain and spinal cord. MS is not contagious. Incidence is greatest amongst people in the 20 to 40 year age group. It is called Multiple because many parts of the brain and spinal cord are affected. It is called Sclerosis which is a Greek word meaning 'hardened tissue', that interrupts signals travelling through the central nervous system.Related Questions
What is the National Multiple Sclerosis Society?
National Multiple Sclerosis Society - National Capital Chapt...Founded in 1946, the National MS Society is the largest private supporter of MS research in the world. It also provides critical programs to thousands of local families faced with MS, including education, equipment, emotional support, exercise classes, family programs, and financial assistance and hope for a cure.
Related QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions About Multiple Sclerosis (MS) -- ...MS is an autoimmune disease, whereby the body's own immune system, which normally targets and destroys substances foreign to the body such as bacteria, mistakenly attacks normal tissues. In MS, the immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system).Related Questions
MS Society of Canada - Frequently Asked QuestionsMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system — the brain and spinal cord. The disease attacks the protective myelin covering of the central nervous system, causing inflammation and often destroying the myelin in patches. In its most common form, MS has well defined attacks followed by complete or partial recovery. The severity of MS, progression and specific symptoms cannot be predicted at the time of diagnosis.Related Questions
How Is Multiple Sclerosis Treated?
Multiple Sclerosis FAQThe most common therapy for an attack, also called an exacerbation, is the use of steroids. Steroids reduce the swelling and permit more rapid healing. Long term symptoms (e.g., fatigue, bladder and sexual dysfunction, depression) can be addressed with medications and therapies, many of which are not specific to Multiple Sclerosis. Research continues on drugs that might be effective in slowing the progress of the disease.
Related QuestionsHow many people have multiple sclerosis?
MS Society of Australia - MS information - FAQsestimated 2,500,000 people in the world have the disease MS. The National Health Survey of 2001 indicated that there are approximately 15.000 Australians with MS.
Related QuestionsNational MS Society : FAQs of Multiple SclerosisApproximately 400,000 Americans have MS, and every week about 200 people are diagnosed. World-wide, MS affects about 2.5 million people. Because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not require U.S. physicians to report new cases, and because symptoms can be completely invisible, the numbers can only be estimated.Related Questions
