Multiple Sclerosis (MS) vs Amyotrophic Lateral sclerosis (ALS) a comparison

22 de noviembre de 2020

4 min de lectura

Do you remember the Ice Bucket Challenge?

The viral 2014 fundraiser raised a whopping $115 million for research into a condition known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS is a progressive disease with no clear cause that leads to progressive loss of muscle function. It's often confused for another condition called multiple sclerosis (MS). Keep reading to learn some of the main similarities and differences between these disorders.

Multiple Sclerosis vs Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: 6 Ways to Compare

1. Both MS and ALS are chronic disorders affecting the nervous system.

MS and ALS are neurodegenerative disorders, meaning they lead to progressive damage to the nervous system. In MS, a person's own immune system mistakenly attacks and damages an important tissue in the nervous system called myelin. Myelin wraps around nerve fibers and acts like insulation, helping signals travel throughout the brain and spinal cord. MS is also considered an autoimmune disease.

ALS is considered a motor neuron disease. In this condition, a person's motor neurons—nerve cells that help control voluntary movement—progressively become destroyed.

Neither MS nor ALS are contagious, and doctors and researchers are still learning about what causes these conditions to occur.

2. Only some of the signs and symptoms of MS and ALS are alike.

Key symptoms of ALS include progressive weakness in the arms, legs, and trunk, as well as weakening of the muscles controlling facial movements, swallowing, and even breathing in later stages. People with ALS also may experience twitching or cramping in their muscles and abnormal muscle tone. Eventually, symptoms become so severe that a person with ALS will be unable to walk, talk, or even breathe on their own. ALS doesn't affect their cognition however, so a person with ALS remains aware of what's going on even when their body becomes paralyzed.

Symptoms of MS tend to be more variable and not as severe. MS symptoms also tend to wax and wane more often than they do in ALS. Patients with MS can also experience muscle weakness, twitching or cramping, abnormal tone, and difficulty with moving or walking. Unlike ALS however, MS can also affect a person's sensation, including the sensation of pain, temperature, and touch. While speech and swallowing difficulties eventually occur in ALS, these issues rarely happen in MS.

People with MS also are more likely to experience changes with their cognition, including difficulties with memory, concentration, and decision-making.

3. MS is more common than ALS.

According to the National MS Society, about 1 million Americans have MS at any given time. ALS is less common, with only about 16,000 to 30,000 people in America living with ALS at any given time.

While MS appears to be more common in females—and more common in people who live further away from the equator—ALS appears to be more common in men (although the prevalence of ALS among men and women becomes more equal with advancing age).

4. MS usually starts earlier in life than ALS does.

MS tends to be diagnosed earlier in life—typically between ages 20 and 50 (although children and older adults can be affected). On the other hand, ALS tends to be diagnosed a little later in life, between ages 40 and 70. As with MS, younger people can be diagnosed with this condition, too.

5. The prognosis for MS and ALS are quite different.

Both MS and ALS are progressive diseases, meaning the conditions eventually get worse over time.

Sadly, ALS is fatal. Most people pass away within 3 to 5 years after being diagnosed with ALS, and only about 10 percent of people with ALS live for 10 years or longer after finding out they have it.

Generally speaking, MS is not considered fatal, although advanced cases of MS may lead to secondary complications that can contribute to a person's early death (such as injuries sustained in a fall or severe infections).

6. Neither MS nor ALS have a cure...yet.

There isn't a specific test to diagnose MS nor ALS. This means both can be difficult to diagnose. Doctors use many tests to rule out other conditions and confirm a diagnosis, such as nerve function tests, lab work (e.g., blood, urine), tests of the spinal fluid, nerve or muscle biopsies, imaging studies (including magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI), and thorough neurological examinations.

Even with a proper diagnosis, there is no cure for MS nor ALS yet. Treatments, including medications, surgery and physical therapy, can improve a person's comfort and slow the progression of the diseases. Due to the significant impact of these conditions, individual and/or family counseling are often recommended.

Were you or someone you love recently diagnosed with ALS or MS? If you need help coping, connect with others going through a similar experience by reaching out on our Healthread app. In the meantime, be sure to check out some helpful resources:

The ALS Association (search support groups by state)
The MS Society (search for support groups by zip code)

Sources

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