ALS Care: Managing Symptoms, Medications, and Support for Lou Gehrig’s Disease

When someone is diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurological disease that destroys nerve cells controlling voluntary muscle movement. Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, it gradually weakens the ability to walk, speak, swallow, and breathe. There’s no cure, but ALS care can significantly improve comfort, delay complications, and help people live as fully as possible for as long as possible.

Effective ALS care, a multidisciplinary approach focused on symptom management and quality of life isn’t just about drugs—it’s about coordination. It involves neurologists, physical therapists, speech pathologists, nutritionists, and palliative care teams working together. Medications like riluzole and edaravone are the only FDA-approved treatments that slightly slow progression, but they don’t stop it. What matters more is how daily care addresses muscle stiffness, saliva buildup, breathing trouble, and swallowing risks. For example, non-invasive ventilation can extend life by years, while feeding tubes prevent dangerous weight loss and aspiration pneumonia.

Supportive therapy, a set of non-pharmacological interventions designed to maintain function and independence is where most of the real impact happens. Physical therapy keeps joints mobile and reduces spasticity. Speech therapy helps with communication as voice weakens—using devices like eye-tracking tablets can restore the ability to speak. Occupational therapy adapts homes and tools so people can still dress, eat, and bathe on their own longer. And nutrition support isn’t optional—it’s critical. Many with ALS lose weight rapidly, and a high-calorie diet, sometimes delivered through a tube, can mean the difference between staying strong and declining faster.

Family caregivers are the backbone of ALS care, the ongoing, round-the-clock support system that keeps patients safe and comfortable. They manage equipment, coordinate appointments, and provide emotional presence when words fail. That’s why caregiver support groups and respite services are just as important as medical treatment. Depression and anxiety are common in both patients and families, and addressing mental health isn’t a luxury—it’s part of the care plan.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t a textbook on ALS—it’s real, practical advice from people who’ve lived it. From managing drug side effects to choosing the right wheelchair or dealing with sleep disruptions, these articles cover what actually matters day to day. You’ll learn how to spot early signs of breathing trouble, why certain medications can make symptoms worse, and how simple tools like humidifiers and voice amplifiers make a huge difference. This isn’t theoretical. It’s what works when every breath counts.