Eric Dane, best known for his performance on the award-winning series Euphoria, has recently shared the news of his diagnosis with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in a courageous post. This little known degenerative disease is also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. This news comes as Dane gets set to head back to the Euphoria set next week.
ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, leads to progressive muscle paralysis. This condition severely limits a patient’s independent mobility, communication, eating, and breathing. The disease begins with nuanced signs such as twitching or weakness in an arm or leg. As it continues, you might start to have slurred speech. As the disease progresses, these patients continue to lose their ability to control their muscles, creating profound obstacles to everyday living.
The National Health Service (NHS) describes ALS as encompassing several conditions that share a common feature: the premature degeneration of motor neurons. When nerve cells in the brain and spine that control muscle movement die, the result is muscle weakness and eventual atrophy. When these cells deteriorate, ALS patients feel the crippling repercussions.
Even with the grim prognosis that comes with this diagnosis, Eric Dane definitely felt thankful and inspired. “I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week,” he stated. He emphasized his appreciation for his family during this challenging time, saying he is “grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is the most prevalent form of motor neurone disease (MND). Nearly 9 out of 10 patients—95% in some studies—diagnosed with MND actually have the mixed variant type of ALS. We don’t have a cure for this debilitating disease today. Some people manage to live for many years—even decades—beyond their diagnosis. The average patient only lives three to five years after their diagnosis.
Watch Eric Dane as he takes the heartbreaking journey that shows the life-changing effects of ALS. His experience underscores just how important it is to have advocacy and support from family and loved ones during these challenging moments.
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