ALS is a disorder of motor neurons, the cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for muscle function. Sometimes called "Lou Gehrig's Disease," ALS causes progressive weakness, muscle stiffness or clumsiness, and difficulty speaking, swallowing, or breathing.
Overview
The symptoms vary among individuals, but are serious and progressive. ALS is diagnosed by neurologists, generally with the help of nerve and muscle testing and imaging tests to exclude other conditions.
Our approach
Management of ALS requires a team of specialists who are knowledgeable about the condition. The M Health Fairview ALS program is part of our Muscular Dystrophy Association-affiliated commitment to clinical care in neuromuscular disorders and is an ALS Association Certified Treatment Center of Excellence.
Our ALS team includes neurologists board-certified in Neuromuscular Medicine, a pulmonologist (physician expert in managing breathing difficulty), a nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, dietician, genetic counselor, social worker, psychologist, and a research coordinator with extensive experience in ALS research, who directs ALS research at the University of Minnesota.
