Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is the most common type of motor neuron disease. It causes progressive muscle weakness in your arms, legs, neck, throat and diaphragm. This muscle weakness affects your ability to stand, walk, chew, swallow and breathe. 

At Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, our expert care team strives to help you live the best life you possibly can with this disease. We help you and your loved ones cope with all aspects of ALS, including its medical, physical, social and emotional challenges.

Neurologists specializing in ALS ensure an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment. We offer ALS clinics at both Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle and St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma where you can see multiple providers in a single visit. This care model has been shown to improve the quality of life in ALS patients.  In addition to neurologists, your care team may include pulmonologists, neurorehabilitation doctors and therapists, nutritionists, social workers and ALS Association representatives working together to help you.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, occurs when there’s damage to nerve cells that control muscle movements (motor neurons). It’s a progressive disease with symptoms that worsen over time. You may experience: 

• Weakness in the arms or legs that spreads to other areas of the body
• Head drop from neck muscle weakness
• Breathing difficulty from weakness of the diaphragm and chest wall muscles 
• Difficulty swallowing, speaking or chewing
• Drooling 
• Emotional outbursts, such as crying or laughing, that are difficult to control
• Malnutrition and unintended weight loss
• Muscle stiffness, twitching or cramps

At Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, prioritize patients with ALS so that you’re seen quickly. During your evaluation, we review your medical history and perform a physical examination. We may recommend an electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction study to help confirm a diagnosis. Sometimes, you may need imaging and lab tests to rule out similar diseases.  

Once we confirm ALS, we schedule you to be seen in one of our multidisciplinary ALS clinics.

Our specialists practice patient-centered care.  We provide you with all the information you need regarding your diagnosis, prognosis and how ALS will affect your life. We help you understand your treatment options and potential outcomes so you and your loved ones can make informed decisions.

Our patients share their stories
Carl Moore had never heard the term ALS – or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – until he was diagnosed 30 years ago at age 32. Read about Carl's inspirational ALS journey.

Your personalized amyotrophic lateral sclerosis treatment plan may include:

• Medications: We prescribe drugs that slow motor neuron damage and muscle weakness. You may also benefit from medications that address specific ALS symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, mood swings and excess saliva.  
• Neurorehabilitation: Physical therapy relieves muscle tightness and helps to compensate for weakness. Speech therapy helps you manage difficulties speaking and swallowing. Occupational therapy helps you learn new methods to perform daily tasks and maintain independence. 
• Nutrition services: Registered dietitians ensure that you meet nutritional needs and maintain body weight. This is important, since losing weight can make ALS progress more quickly. 
• Respiratory care: Therapists monitor your respiratory function and recommend medical devices that can assist with breathing, coughing and clearing secretions.

Our team strives to deliver ALS treatments that are consistent with your wishes. Our physicians and social workers can help you plan your care journey. Your plan should outline and document your wishes regarding your medical care. An important tool in this process is the advance directive. We assist you in exploring your options, documenting your choices and making this information available to your provider team.

Our specialists care for patients across the Puget Sound area and beyond. Find an ALS specialist near you.