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What is ALS, the condition Stephen Hawking lived with for over 5 decades?
By Euan McKirdy, CNN (CNN) -- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS, is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease. It affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that make the muscles of both the upper and lower body work. Those nerve cells lose their ability to initiate and control muscle movement, which leads to paralysis and death. People with the condition lose control of muscle movement, eventually losing their ability to eat, speak, walk and, ultimately, breathe. Its most famous sufferer was famed physicist Stephen Hawking, who died on Wednesday at the age of 76. ALS is also called Lou Gehrig's disease, named after the famous baseball player who retired in 1939 because of the condition. Other notable sufferers actor David Niven, NBA Hall of Famer George Yardley and jazz musician Charles Mingus. Little is known about the causes of the disease, and there is currently no cure. The condition is slightly more common in men than women. Unusually long life-span Hawking, diagnosed with the condition in 1963, lived with it for more than 50 years -- a remarkably long time for an ALS sufferer. The disease left him paralyzed and completely dependent on others and/or technology for everything: bathing, dressing, eating, mobility and speech. He was able to move only a few fingers on one hand. "I try to lead as normal a life as possible, and not think about my condition, or regret the things it prevents me from doing, which are not that many," he wrote on his website. "I have been lucky that my condition has progressed more slowly than is often the case. But it shows that one need not lose hope." Hawking's life, including his battle with ALS, was made into a 2014 biopic, "The Theory of Everything," starring Eddie Redmayne. Ice bucket challenge The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 20,000 to 30,000 people have ALS in the United States, with around 5,000 new cases diagnosed every year. People usually find out they have it between 55 and 75 years of age. On average, sufferers live two to five years after symptoms develop. There are two types of ALS, sporadic, which is most common, and familial. The latter is inherited -- the children of sufferers have a 50% chance of inheriting the condition, and people with familial ALS live an average of only one to two years after symptoms appear. But it much more rare than sporadic ALS, which accounts for over 90% of cases. The condition gained widespread prominence in 2014, when Pete Frates, a former baseball player at Boston College who has been living with ALS since 2012, started the Ice Bucket Challenge. The viral sensation vastly improved awareness of the condition and caused a huge uptick in donations to the ALS Association. "We have never seen anything like this in the history of the disease," said Barbara Newhouse, president and CEO of The ALS Association, in a news release at the time. Cause unknown No one knows what causes the disease, and for reasons not yet understood, military veterans are two times as likely to be diagnosed with ALS as the general public, according to the ALS Association. "Scientists have been studying many factors that could be linked with ALS, such as heredity and environmental exposures," the CDC says. "Other scientists have looked at diet or injury. No cause has been found for most cases of ALS. In the future, scientists may find that many factors together cause ALS." Up until last year, there was only one FDA-approved drug for ALS, which only extends survival by several months, but in May 2017 the FDA approved the first new drug in more than 20 years to treat the condition.
5 Things for October 20: John Kelly, Pollution, MH370
Congrats to the L.A. Dodgers! They're headed to the World Series for the first time in almost three decades. Here's what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door.
States with serious coronavirus problems need to consider shutting down again, Fauci says
A second shutdown might be the best move for states struggling with burgeoning coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, one of the nation's top infectious disease experts says.
Controversial mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor announces his retirement
Mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor has announced his retirement from the sport, posting the news on Twitter.
US task force lowers recommended age to start colorectal cancer screening to 45
The US Preventive Services Task Force on Tuesday lowered the recommended age to start screening for colon and rectal cancers from 50 to 45.
Hollywood's Latin ambitions hit new heights
If this Clubhouse room was an actual club, it'd be the most FOMO-inducing spot in town. Drink special of the night: piping hot tea.
It's not just Texas. The faux panic and textbook wars fit into a long history
A version of this story appeared in CNN's Race Deconstructed newsletter. To get it in your inbox every week, sign up for free here.
Opinion: No more union-busting. It's time for companies to give their workers what they deserve
This year, workers at Amazon, Starbucks and other major corporations are winning a wave of union elections, often in the face of long odds and employer resistance. These wins are showing it's possible for determined groups of workers to break through powerful employers' use of union-busting tactics, ranging from alleged retaliatory firings to alleged surveillance and forced attendance at anti-union "captive audience meetings." But workers should not have to confront so many obstacles to exercising a guaranteed legal right to unionize and bargain for improvements in their work lives and livelihoods.
Key lawmaker warns at UFO hearing: 'Unidentified aerial phenomena are a potential national security threat'
Key lawmakers warned at a House hearing on Tuesday that unidentified aerial phenomena -- popularly known as UFOs -- must be investigated and taken seriously as a potential threat to national security.
One of four Muslim men slain in potentially linked Albuquerque killings remembered as 'brilliant public servant'
A 27-year-old Muslim man killed last week in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is being remembered as a "brilliant public servant" committed to "improving conditions and inclusivity for disadvantaged minorities," according to the mayor of the city he worked for.
Babies will continue to die during sleep despite new regulations on sleep products, child advocates fear
Store shelves holding baby products designed to help parents ease babies into sleep may be barren this week, due to new US Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations that went into effect on June 23.
Child care centers can't afford to stay open. Here's what this means for families
From city centers to rural communities, many US child care providers are raising the price of tuition to combat inflation, adding yet another strain for families. From city centers to rural communities, many US child care providers are raising the price of tuition to combat inflation, adding yet another strain for families.
Tani Adewumi: How chess changed the fortunes of 11-year-old prodigy and his family
When Tanitoluwa "Tani" Adewumi mulls his next move on a chessboard, his instinct is to pile pressure on his opponent.
Your pollen allergies are overwhelming? This might be why
Pollen has exploded to eye-watering levels this spring in some parts of the country after warm weather pushed plants out of their winter slumber much earlier than normal.
Drug shortages’ effects on cancer research may be felt for years to come
The United States is in the midst of some of the worst cancer drug shortages in history, affecting thousands of patients across the country who face delayed or cancelled chemotherapy appointments. But these shortages aren’t just bad for current patients, experts say; their effects on cancer research may be felt for years to come.
Texas Is Proposing a Bill That Could Keep Transgender Students Out of High School Sports
Texas is proposing a bill that could keep transgender students out of high school sports.
Progressive Women Score Big Wins in Southern Primaries
Progressive women dominated a slate of Democratic primaries Tuesday, winning races in Kentucky and Texas and giving Georgia the first black woman to ever be nominated for governor by a major political party.
Kobe Bryant More Popular Than Steph Curry in China
He may have retired over 12 months ago, but NBA great Kobe Bryant still reigns supreme in China. The former LA Lakers star, an 18-time NBA All Star, has been named the most popular basketball star online in the country, putting Golden State Warriors' Steph Curry -- his nearest challenger -- in the shade with twice as many social media followers as the two-time MVP.
Reporters share personal memories of George H.W. Bush
This week on "Inside Politics," our panel of top political reporters shared some of their memories of covering President George H.W. Bush.
What we know so far about the Santa Fe school shooting
Nine students and a teacher were killed Friday morning in a shooting at Santa Fe High School in the southeastern Texas city of Santa Fe. It's the 22nd school shooting in the US in 2018. As of 2:30 p.m. ET, this is what we know:
