Actor Eric Dane has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
“I have been diagnosed with ALS,” he told People magazine. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
The “Euphoria” and “Grey’s Anatomy” star added, “I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week … I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.”
Here’s a breakdown of the disease.
What is ALS?
It’s a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain. French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot discovered the disease in 1869.
Individuals are normally diagnosed in their late 50s, but it can also occur in young adults.
What happens?
In patients with ALS, neurons degenerate and die, meaning that the brain loses the ability to start and control muscle movement. Individuals might lose the ability to eat, speak, move and breathe.
Muscles become smaller, weaker and softer. In some instances, they can become stiff and tight. Patients often experience muscle twitches and cramps. Eventually, paralysis develops, because the brain is no longer able to communicate with the body’s muscles.
Involuntary muscles, such as those controlling the heartbeat, sexual functions, bladder and gastrointestinal tract, are not directly affected.
Is there a cure?
There is no cure for ALS. People normally live three to five years after the diagnosis. Some can live for decades, however.
Why does it happen?
The causes of most cases of ALS are unknown. It can affect anyone, anywhere.
In 90 per cent of cases, the patient has no known family history of the disease. In five to 10 per cent of cases, however, there is a known family history.
Some individuals might be genetically predisposed to ALS but will develop the disease after an environmental trigger, scientists theorize.
Who else has been diagnosed?
There are 4,000 Canadians currently living with ALS, with 1,000 diagnosed each year.
Other stars who have been diagnosed with ALS include Canadian actor Kenneth Mitchell, physicist Stephen Hawking, musician John Driskell Hopkins, singer Joe Bonsall, singer Roberta Flack and football player Eric Stevens.
