Recently, actor Eric Dane, best known for his role as Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan on the series Grey’s Anatomy, announced that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS), a degenerative and incurable disease. Dane, 52, stated that he continues to work and will soon return to the series Euphoria. But what exactly is ALS, and what are its symptoms? Here’s a breakdown.
What is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis?
According to the Mayo Clinic, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease—named after the baseball player who was diagnosed with it—is a nervous system disorder that affects the neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Over time, the condition worsens, and patients gradually lose muscle control. Currently, there is no known cure.
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Symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
ALS often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in an arm or a leg, as well as difficulty swallowing or speaking. However, the disease gradually progresses and starts to affect more muscles throughout the body. Although symptoms can vary from person to person, the most common include:
- Difficulty walking or performing routine daily activities
- Tripping and falling
- Weakness in the legs, feet, or ankles
- Weakness or clumsiness in the hands
- Trouble speaking or swallowing
- Muscle weakness accompanied by cramps and spasms in the arms, shoulders, and tongue
- Uncontrollable episodes of crying, laughing, or yawning
- Changes in thinking or behavior
As amyotrophic lateral sclerosis advances, patients often face a range of complications, including breathing difficulties, speech problems, issues with eating, and dementia.
Causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
At this time, the exact causes of ALS remain unknown. However, researchers believe it may result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Who is Eric Dane?
Eric Dane is a well-known American actor and producer, born on November 9, 1972, in San Francisco, California. Raised in his hometown, Eric is the older of two siblings. His father worked as an architect and interior designer, while his mother was a homemaker. During his school years, he excelled in sports, but his passion for acting was sparked when he performed in the play All My Sons by Arthur Miller. Driven by this newfound interest, he moved to Los Angeles in 1993 to pursue a career in acting. He made his television debut on the popular series The Wonder Years, and soon after, appeared as a guest star on various shows, including Charmed, The American Embassy, and Gideon’s Crossing, where he played a doctor—foreshadowing his most iconic future role.
Dane also took part in TV movies like Serving in Silence and the remake of Helter Skelter. Later on, he starred alongside John Stamos in the television film Wedding Wars. On the big screen, his first appearance was in 1999 with The Basket, a drama set during World War I. He later acted in the comedy Sol Goode and the horror thriller Feast. He also appeared in Open Water 2: Adrift. One of his most notable film roles was portraying mutant Jamie Madrox, also known as “Multiple Man”, in X-Men: The Last Stand.
On a personal note, Eric Dane has been married to actress Rebecca Gayheart since October 29, 2004, and they have two children together.
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How long did Stephen Hawking live with ALS?
Stephen Hawking, the renowned British theoretical physicist, astrophysicist, cosmologist, and science communicator, was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 21. Doctors informed him that the average life expectancy for ALS patients was between four and five years, meaning he likely wouldn’t live past the age of 27. However, Hawking defied expectations and lived with the disease for 55 years, passing away at the age of 76.
What is the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge?
In the summer of 2014, a viral challenge spread rapidly across social media: the Ice Bucket Challenge. This involved people recording themselves dumping buckets of ice water over their heads. At least 17 million people participated in the challenge, which generated $115 million on Facebook in just six weeks. The funds raised through the Ice Bucket Challenge were used to support ALS research. Scientists’ work, funded by these donations, led to the discovery of five new genes linked to ALS and the development of new drug therapies.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two new ALS treatments developed with the support of this viral challenge. While there is still no cure for ALS, these advances bring us closer each day to making the disease more manageable for patients.
