"Finding just one doctor who specializes in ALS is difficult enough. Finding a whole team with ALS experience like the Center at UCSD can make all the difference in the world to a family battling this disease. I only wish that my dad had the chance to go to a place like this."
-- Lori Butler, Chapter President, The ALS Association Greater San Diego Chapter
What Is ALS - Lou Gehrig's Disease?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to muscle weakness and atrophy. Patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed, but for the vast majority living with ALS, their minds remain unaffected.
Despite the serious nature of ALS, there are some people who live with ALS for many years -- even decades -- with a high quality of life. Some people have a form of ALS that is very slowly progressive, while others have ALS that requires more immediate medical therapy to help them maintain their mobility, nutritional needs and breathing.
Read more about Lou Gehrig's Disease in our online health library.
Treatment
Under the co-directorship of Nayan P. Desai, M.D., and Geoffrey L. Sheean, M.D., the ALS Center at UCSD Medical Center provides expertise and a sensitive approach to caring for individuals with this degenerative disease. Our clinical faculty is complemented by a group of internationally recognized scientists who are working to identify ways to treat, and eventually, prevent ALS from occurring.
If you are living with limited mobility, the convenience of having multiple medical and social services in one place is a blessing. Patients have same-day access to physicians, as well as to physical and occupational therapists, a speech pathologist, a social worker and a nutritionist. Along with our very strong collaboration with ALS researchers, this level of comprehensive care at a single facility makes the UCSD ALS Center unique in Southern California. Soon, our patients will also be able to participate in the latest clinical trials.
Appointments are available the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
To schedule an appointment, call (619) 543-5300.