ALS Treatment: What Works, What Doesn't, and What's New

When someone is diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells controlling voluntary muscle movement. Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, it slowly steals the ability to walk, talk, eat, and breathe. There’s no cure yet, but ALS treatment has made real progress in slowing decline and improving quality of life.

Two drugs are currently approved in the U.S. and many other countries for ALS treatment: riluzole, a medication that reduces nerve damage by limiting glutamate activity and edaravone, an antioxidant infusion shown to slow functional loss in early-stage patients. Neither brings back lost movement, but studies show they can extend survival by months—time that matters deeply to patients and families. Beyond these, doctors rely on a team approach: physical therapy to maintain mobility, speech therapy to preserve communication, and feeding tubes when swallowing becomes unsafe. Breathing support, like non-invasive ventilators, often becomes part of daily life.

What’s changing fast? Research into gene therapies, stem cells, and new neuroprotective drugs is heating up. Clinical trials are testing compounds that target specific genetic causes of ALS, like SOD1 and C9orf72 mutations. Some patients are seeing promising results in early phases, though nothing has reached widespread approval yet. Meanwhile, symptom management tools—like muscle relaxants for spasms, antidepressants for emotional swings, and even AI-powered communication devices—are becoming more accessible. The goal isn’t just to live longer, but to live better, with more control and less suffering.

You’ll find real stories here: how one person managed breathing issues with home equipment, why some patients avoid certain supplements that claim to help but lack proof, and how physical therapy routines are adapted as the disease changes. These aren’t theoretical guides—they’re practical lessons from people living with ALS every day. What works for one might not work for another, but the patterns are clear: early action, consistent care, and knowing your options make all the difference.