Key Takeaways:
- On Wednesday, former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Borje Salming disclosed that he had been given the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
- Breathing issues are a typical sign of ALS, according to Ingre, with symptoms typically starting at night.
Borje Salming, a former defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs, revealed on Wednesday that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
In a statement sent through the team, the 71-year-old stated, “I have heard the news that has shaken my family and me.” “ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, was the cause of the symptoms that suggested something was amiss with my body.”
Salming, who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1973 to 1989 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1996, claims that although there is presently no cure for ALS, “there are medicines available to arrest the progression and my family as well as I will remain hopeful.”
“Everything abruptly changed. Although I can’t predict how the days will go, I know that they will present me with difficulties beyond anything I have ever encountered.”
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A gradual disease of the nerve system called ALS causes paralysis, difficulty swallowing, respiratory failure, and death.
According to John Hopkins Medicine, 20% of patients survive five years or longer, and 50% of patients survive at least 3 years after their diagnosis. Up to 10% of patients will remain healthy for more than 10 years.
Salming is having therapy in Sweden, where more than 800 people are living with ALS, according to his doctor.
Salming’s doctor, Dr. Caroline Ingre, stated, “ALS is a severe disease that not only affects the muscles but can also impact personality and cognitive abilities.”
“In around 70% of diagnoses, the disease begins with symptoms from the spinal cord, weakening the patient’s arms and legs over time, whereas in about 30%, it begins in the mouth and throat, causing slurred speech and difficulty swallowing,” she said. These individuals frequently experience an emotional impact that manifests as excessive crying or laughing.
According to Ingre, breathing problems are a common indication of ALS, with symptoms frequently beginning at night.
The ALS Society of Canada estimates that 3,000 Canadians are affected by the illness.
Source: CTV News
