ALS: An Orientation

Eliot H. Dunsky, MD, is a retired physician who since his diagnosis in 2009 has been living with ALS, the complex, progressively debilitating disorder commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Determined to maintain the best quality of life possible—for as long as possible—he extensively researched the condition and its management.

As he immersed himself, talking to ALS patients and exploring emerging assistive technologies and aids, he realized that misunderstanding of this complicated disease was rife, preventing many from making the most of the precious years left.

The result is this compilation of not only his personal experiences as his own condition advanced but also current research and links to additional specialized resources. Its aim is to help other patients learn to live with their diagnosis and navigate the day-to-day struggles associated with it.

Appropriate symptom management can help fend off the devastating effects of the disease for a longer period of time. ALS: An Orientation offers a practical guide for patients and their families on maximizing quality of life through strategic care and, importantly, coping with the emotional toll the disease can take. A terminal diagnosis simply means savoring to the fullest the life that is still possible.