Why is ALS becoming more common? Why is ALS more common in males?

The risk of developing ALS increases with age and is higher for men than women. ALS is 20% more common in men than women. ALS is a complex neurodegenerative disease, and the gender ratio is not fully understood.

The increase in reported cases of ALS could be due to several factors, including improved awareness, earlier diagnosis, changes in reporting practices, or environmental and genetic factors that are not yet fully identified.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a rare progressive neurological disease that affects the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement.

ALS primarily targets motor neurons, the nerve cells responsible for transmitting signals from the brain to muscles throughout the body. As these motor neurons degenerate and die, the muscles they innervate weaken and waste away.

However, as the disease progresses, patients may experience difficulty speaking, swallowing, and performing everyday tasks. Respiratory muscles may also be affected, resulting in breathing difficulties and respiratory failure.