Fact 10. In the Crosshairs: Risk Factors for ALS
While the exact cause of ALS remains elusive, certain risk factors have been identified. Age, for instance, plays a significant role. Most people who develop ALS are between the ages of 40 and 70, with the average age at diagnosis being around 55. However, ALS can strike at any age, and cases have been reported in individuals as young as 20 and as old as 90.
Gender is another established risk factor. ALS is slightly more common in men than in women, although this gap narrows with advancing age. The reason for this discrepancy is unclear, but researchers speculate that hormonal differences may play a part.
Certain lifestyle factors have also been linked to ALS. Smoking, for instance, has been consistently associated with an increased risk of the disease, particularly in women. A history of physically demanding jobs and high levels of physical activity have also been suggested as potential risk factors, although the evidence is less robust.
Genetics can also play a part, especially in familial ALS, where a family history of the disease significantly increases the risk. However, in the majority of cases—those classified as sporadic ALS—the cause is likely a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, most of which remain to be identified.(10)
