Actor Eric Dane, widely popular for his role of Dr Mark Sloan on TV drama 'Grey's Anatomy', has died after battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's Disease. He was 53 years old. Dane revealed in April last year that he had been diagnosed with ALS.
"With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS," the actor's family said in a statement, according to a BBC report.
The statement added that Dane spent his final few days surrounded by friends and his wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, and their two daughters, Billie and Georgia, "who were the centre of his world".
What Is ALS?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a neurological disorder that affects a person's motor neurons—nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord which control voluntary muscle movement and breathing, as per the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
In patients affected by ALS, the motor neurons degenerate and die, stopping them from sending messages to the muscles. As a result, the muscles start to twitch and waste away. Eventually, the brain is not able to control voluntary movements like walking, talking, eating and breathing. ALS is progressive and its symptoms can get worse over a period of time.
ALS is rare and globally affects about 3 to 5 persons per 100,000 people. In India, there are 1.5 to 2 cases per 100,000.
In ALS, 'Amyotrophic' is taken from Greek words meaning “no muscle nourishment,” 'Lateral' is related to the area of the spinal cord where nerve cells controlling movement are located, while 'Sclerosis' refers to scarring or hardening.
The ALS Association highlights that 90% of ALS cases are sporadic, which means that there is no known family history of the disease. On the other hand, 5% to 10% of people living with ALS have family members diagnosed with the disease. Also, two out of three people with familial ALS have mutations in known ALS genes.
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Who is more likely to get ALS?
ALS can happen at any age, but its symptoms most commonly develop in the 55-75 age group.
It is 20% more common in men than women, but with increasing age, the incidence of ALS is considered equal between men and women.
As per the ALS Association, every 90 minutes, a person is diagnosed with the disease and someone passes away from it.
ALS Symptoms
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the early symptoms of ALS include:
- Muscle cramps
- Muscle twitches in arm, leg, shoulder or tongue
- Tight and stiff muscles
- Muscle weakness
- Slurred and nasal speech
- Difficulty in chewing or swallowing
As the disorder progresses, people with ALS could develop problems with chewing food and swallowing, drooling, speaking or forming words, breathing and constipation, as well as unintended crying, laughing, or other emotional displays.
ALSO READ: Who Was Eric Dane? Know All About Grey's Anatomy Star Who Was More Than 'McSteamy'
ALS Treatment
For now, there is no treatment to reverse the damage to motor neurons or cure ALS. But there are specific medications that can help in slowing the progression of the disorder, improve quality of life and extend survival.
A few therapies can also be helpful in improving the conditions of certain ALS patients. Such additional treatment options include physiotherapy, speech therapy and respiratory support.
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