{"id":1905,"date":"2026-03-02T03:15:48","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T03:15:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shifstrong.org\/?page_id=1905"},"modified":"2026-05-17T20:44:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T20:44:15","slug":"what-is-als","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/shifstrong.org\/en\/home\/what-is-als\/","title":{"rendered":"What is ALS?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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UNDERSTANDING ALS<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t

What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It breaks the connection between the brain and muscles \u2014 and together, we're fighting to change that.<\/p>\n\t\t

\n \t\t\t\n\t\tALS Families: Contact us, and share your story!\n\t<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\tSupporters: How You Can Help!\n\t<\/a>\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n
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30,000+<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Americans currently living with ALS<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n

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5,000+<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

New cases diagnosed each year in the U.S.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n

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2\u20135 Years<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Average life expectancy after diagnosis<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n

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90%<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Of cases occur without family history (sporadic ALS)<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n

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How ALS Affects the Body<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t

When motor neurons \u2014 the messengers between your brain and muscles \u2014 begin to die, the body gradually loses the ability to move, speak, eat, and eventually breathe.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n

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\ud83e\udde0<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Motor Neurons<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t

ALS attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement, disrupting signals from brain to body.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n

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\u26a1<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Signal Disruption<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t

As neurons degenerate, the electrical signals that tell muscles to move become weaker and eventually stop entirely.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n

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\ud83d\udcaa<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Muscle Weakness<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Without nerve stimulation, muscles weaken and atrophy. Early signs include difficulty gripping, tripping, or dropping things.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n

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\ud83d\udcc8<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Progressive Spread<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t

ALS typically starts in one area \u2014 a hand, foot, or tongue \u2014 and gradually spreads to other muscle groups throughout the body.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n

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\ud83d\udde3\ufe0f<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Speech & Swallowing<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Many people with ALS experience slurred speech and difficulty swallowing as the muscles of the mouth and throat weaken.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n

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\ud83e\udec1<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Breathing Difficulty<\/h4>\n\t\t\t\t\t

As respiratory muscles weaken, breathing support becomes necessary. This is the most critical challenge for those living with ALS.<\/p>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n

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Our Shifstrong Family: Voices in the Fight Against ALS<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShare Your Story<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet Involved Today!<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Behind every diagnosis is a story, a fight, and a community. At Shifstrong, we believe in the power of shared experiences. Hear from those affected by ALS. We value every perspective, whether you are a patient, caregiver, a family member, or a friend, your story natters! You all offer unique insights into this battle, and your vulnerability will help the next generation of ALS patients and their families navigate this journey. Thank you for all you do for our community, together we will fight ALS.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

UNDERSTANDING ALS What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis? Also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It breaks the connection between the brain and muscles \u2014 and together, we’re fighting to change that. ALS Families: Contact us, and share your story! Supporters: […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2054,"parent":10,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_angie_page":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1905","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat is ALS? - Shifstrong ALS Foundation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Shifstrong is a nonprofit organization committed to raising awareness, funds, and providing critical resources for ALS families. At Shifstrong, we believe that while ALS is a journey of many challenges, no one should have to walk it in isolation. We are a nonprofit organization built on the foundation of community engagement and belief. Our mission is to provide critical resources, equipment assistance, and a supportive network for families battling ALS, all while raising the awareness needed to find a cure.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/shifstrong.org\/en\/home\/what-is-als\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What is ALS? - Shifstrong ALS Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Shifstrong is a nonprofit organization committed to raising awareness, funds, and providing critical resources for ALS families. 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