Steve McMichael passes away at 67: What is the ALS disease?

Steve 'Mongo' McMichael, a star defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl-winning team and a Pro Football Hall of Famer, has died after a battle with ALS. He was 67.

Sports anchor Jarrett Payton announced the news via X on Wednesday, April 23. "With deep sorrow, I share that Steve McMichael passed at 5:28 PM after a brave fight with #ALS, surrounded by loved ones. I’m grateful to have been with him in his final moments. Please keep Steve and his family your prayers. #Bears," the anchor wrote.

McMichael, diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in January 2021. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, and the Chicago Bears legend battled with it for over four years. His condition deteriorated significantly, and he was paralyzed and unable to talk. His wife, Misty, documented his resilience and also raised awareness about the rare disease on social media. "This man is the toughest man I've ever met in my life. He's hanging in there. He's actually better now that he's decided never go back to the hospital because we were going pretty much every month for different things," she previously wrote on social media.

Recently, the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star Eric Dane too shared his ALS diagnosis. Here’s everything you should know about the rare neurological disorder that affects motor neurons.

What is ALS?

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects motor neurons - the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movements like walking, talking, and chewing. Progressive means the symptoms get worse over time.

In people with ALS, the brain eventually loses its ability to initiate and control voluntary movements such as walking, talking, chewing, and other functions, as well as breathing. While the cause of ALS is unknown, scientists believe many factors, such as hereditary and environmental exposures, are linked. ALS is more common in men than women. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports suggest less than 30,000 people in the United States have ALS; every year, about 5,000 people are diagnosed with the disease.
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At present, there is no cure for the disease, however, the US Food and Drug Administration has approved several drugs for ALS that may prolong survival, reduce the rate of decline, or help manage symptoms.

What are the symptoms of ALS?

The early symptoms of the disease include:

• Muscle twitches in the arm, leg, shoulder, or tongue
  
• Muscle cramps
  
• Tight and stiff muscles (spasticity)
  
• Muscle weakness affecting an arm, a leg, or the neck
  
• Slurred and nasal speech
  
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing
  

As the disease progresses, the muscle weakness and atrophy start to spread to other parts of the body, leading to symptoms such as:

• Difficulty chewing food and swallowing (dysphagia)
  
• Drooling (sialorrhea)
  
• Speaking or forming words (dysarthria)
  
• Breathing (dyspnea)
  
• Unintended crying, laughing, or other emotional displays (pseudobulbar symptoms)
  
• Constipation
  
• Maintaining weight and getting enough nutrients