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