Introduction:
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a condition that occurs when degeneration of neurons in the brain and spinal cord leads to loss of control or loss of communication to muscles. It occurs in about 5 out of 100,000 in the population and 10% of cases are linked to hereditary genetic cause but in the remainder of the cases, the cause is unknown. The symptoms include muscle fasciculations, weakness, abnormal speech paralysis, weight loss, difficulty swallowing and eventually difficulty breathing. There is no known cure and there is few options known for prevention of ALS. Physicial, Occupational, and Speech therapy is important to maintain mobility and activities of daily living as well as a dietition and strong family support.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and coffee consumption:
Coffee drinking might be associated with decreased risk of ALS. Beghi et al compared the coffee consumption of 377 patients newly diagnosed cases of ALS, with that of three control groups. The group found that some levels of elevated coffee consumption were associated with decreased risk of ALS. Lifetime coffee consumption for ALS patients was lower compared to neurologic department, non-neurologic department, and general population controls (odds ratios of 0.7, 0.6, and 0.4, respectively).
Summary: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a condition that occurs when degeneration of neurons in the brain and spinal cord leads to loss of control or loss of communication to muscles.There is no known cure and there are no options known for prevention of ALS. Physicial, Occupational, and Speech therapy is important to maintain mobility and activities of daily living as well as a dietition and strong family support.
- Coffee consumption may be associated with decreased risk of ALS. Lifetime coffee consumption for ALS patients was lower compared to controls.
References:
1.Beghi, E., Pupillo, E., Messina, P., et al. Coffee and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Possible Preventive Role American Journal of Epidemiology. 2011 Nov 1;174 (9), 1002-1008. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21946385