Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

nurse and patient at Banner Good Samaritan

ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive, degenerative neuromuscular disease that attacks motor neurons.

Voluntary muscles are affected by ALS resulting in progressive paralysis. Having ALS makes even the simplest tasks such as walking, breathing, communicating, eating, and self-care very difficult.

Approximately 5,600 people in the United States are diagnosed with ALS each year. It is estimated that as many as 30,000 Americans may have the disease at any given time.

After a patient has been diagnosed with ALS, the patient's neurologist will refer the patient to the multidisciplinary ALS clinic. The Neuroscience Clinic at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center specializes in the care and treatment of people diagnosed with ALS.

In January 2005, Banner Good Samaritan’s ALS Clinic was recognized as the 20th National Center of Excellence by the ALS Association and is now one of 34 nationwide.

The objective of the ALS Clinic is to provide state-of-the-art care and clinical management of people diagnosed with ALS in a compassionate and professional setting.