Multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are different diseases with some similar features and symptoms.
They both:
They have some key differences, though. MS is an autoimmune disease that causes your body to attack itself. ALS, also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a nervous system disorder that wears away nerve cells in your brain and spinal cord. Both are treated differently.
- Affect your muscles and your ability to move your body
- Attack your brain and spinal cord
- Have “sclerosis” in their name
- Cause scarring or hardening around nerve cells