Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a degenerative neurological disorder that affects the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. It’s a disease that can neither be cured nor stopped in its tracks, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun talking about it!

ALS gets its name from the Latin words “amyotrophia,” meaning “muscle atrophy,” and “lateralis,” meaning “affecting the sides.” It is a disease that pretty much likes to tear your muscles apart like a hungry toddler on a chocolate bar.

The symptoms of ALS are no joke, though. Muscle weakness and atrophy begin in the hands, feet, or limbs and can eventually spread to the rest of the body, including the muscles that control breathing. That’s the serious part, but let’s get back to the funny stuff.

Despite the grim prognosis for individuals diagnosed with ALS, we still have some pretty great treatment options that can help manage the symptoms of the disease. These include speech therapy, medication, and assistive devices like wheelchairs and communication gadgets. A little bit of humor can also go a long way towards managing the sadness that comes with a diagnosis.

In conclusion, while ALS is definitely no laughing matter, it doesn’t hurt to try and find humor in the darkest of situations. And even if you can’t find something funny to laugh at, a smile or a positive outlook can go a long way towards making the world a brighter place. So if you or someone you know is battling with ALS, don’t forget to crack a smile every once in a while - it’s good for the soul!