Grey’s Anatomy’s Eric Dane reveals ALS fight — spot the early signs before it’s too late

Grey’s Anatomy star Eric Dane, recently confessed to being suffering from ALS. The actor claimed it all started with a tinge in his right hand, but shrugged it off thinking it’s numbness.

Dr. P R Ranjen, a neurologist for Apollo Hospitals, said that he himself mistook an ALS of a 60-year-old patient in his right palm as a routine nerve irritant, the Indian Express said.

But the patient later lost full function of his right arm, couldn’t swim, and had fast muscle loss. Dr. Renjen said early diagnosis is key, because starting treatment early can help slow the disease.

He warned that ALS symptoms often look like other nerve problems, so it’s easy to misdiagnose or delay treatment. He advised that anyone with nerve complaints or even muscle flickering should go see a neurologist immediately, as stated in the report by The Indian Express.

What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis?

A motor neuron disease, ALS, wrecks the nerves that control muscle movements. It hampers the signals sent by the brain to the muscles, causing a lingering muscle pain and over time severely damaging movements like swallowing and breathing, reports said.

Mostly impacting people between ages of 45 to 70 years. However, it can rarely also happen to juveniles in the form of motor neuron disease. No particular reason has been ascertained to it

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A small number of cases are genetic, passed from a parent. It’s a rare disease — only about 5 people in every 100,000 in India get ALS. It’s seen more in men than in women, as per the report by The Indian Express.

Diagnosis is very important, because some similar problems can be treated and cured, unlike ALS.
Tests like nerve conduction test and electromyography help confirm if it’s ALS.

Can ALS be treated?

There is no cure yet for ALS. But doctors can help manage the symptoms and slow down the disease. Medicines like Riluzole and Edaravone can help slow down disease progression and increase survival time, as per reports.

Physical therapy can help keep muscles working longer. Speech therapy becomes helpful when talking or swallowing gets tough. As breathing weakens, special breathing machines can support patients. Things like wheelchairs, communication tools, and feeding tubes can help people stay independent, according to the report by The Indian Express.

Emotional and mental health support is also very important — both for the person with ALS and their family or caregivers. Many ALS patients show amazing strength and courage, even as they face this tough journey, as stated by reports.

FAQs

Q1. What disease does Eric Dane have?
Eric Dane revealed he is battling ALS, a serious nerve disease.

Q2. What is ALS?
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a disease that weakens the nerves that control your muscles. Over time, it affects movement, speech, swallowing, and even breathing.