'Euphoria' star Eric Dane diagnosed with ALS
American actor Eric Dane has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
"I have been diagnosed with ALS," Dane told PEOPLE Magazine. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
The 52-year-old star of the television series Euphoria said he feels fortunate to be able to continue working amid his ALS.
“[I] am looking forward to returning to [the] set of Euphoria next week,” he said, as the show begins production of its third season on April 14. “I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.”
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, ALS, which is often called Lou Gehrig's disease, causes progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain. It's one of the most devastating types of disorders that affect nerve and muscle function.
ALS doesn't affect the senses like sight or sound, as well as mental functioning. The disease isn't contagious.
It most often affects people between 40 and 70, though it can happen at a young age.
The cause of ALS isn't known, though experts are seeing genetic causes as increasingly important. They're also looking into environmental causes as a possibility.
The most common symptoms include twitching and cramping of muscles, especially in the hands and feet; loss of motor control in the hands and arms; trouble using arms and legs; tripping and falling; dropping things; lasting severe tiredness; uncontrollable periods of laughing or crying; and slurred or thick speech and trouble projecting the voice.
As the ALS progresses, symptoms may include trouble breathing and swallowing, as well as paralysis.
To date, there's no cure for ALS, but symptoms can be managed through physical, occupational, speech, respiratory, and nutritional therapies. Some medicines may also help ease muscle cramping.
According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, most ALS patients die within three to five years. Some patients can live for longer, even over a decade or two.
Other personalities who were diagnosed with ALS include theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, singer Roberta Flack, and SpongeBob SquarePants creator Stephen Hillenburg.
Dane appeared in multiple television roles in the '90s and the aughts, including Charmed. He is best known for his role in the medical drama series Grey's Anatomy.
Before starring in Euphoria, he starred in the action drama series The Last Ship. His movie projects include Marley & Me, Valentine's Day, and Burlesque.
