Receiving a diagnosis of ALS can be overwhelming. You may experience many different emotions, and you may feel the need to learn more about how this complex disease will affect you.
Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) is a rare progressive neurodegenerative disease which is similar to ALS. However, ALS and PLS are not the same thing. Unlike ALS, PLS only affects the upper motor neurons. ALS affects both the upper and lower motor neurons.
Kennedy’s Disease is a rare genetic disease with symptoms that are similar to ALS. It is also called spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy can sometimes be confused as the characteristics and symptoms of these diseases can overlap. People living with ALS, MS, and MD often require the same kinds of wheelchairs and assistive devices. However, ALS, MS, and MD are separate and distinct diseases.
Bulbar ALS is a subtype of ALS that destroys motor neurons in the corticobulbar area of the brain and brainstem. This area controls muscles in the face, head, and neck including the jaw, lips, throat, and tongue.