Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease after the famed 1930s New York Yankees player, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that continues to challenge scientists and impact thousands of lives each year. May is recognized as ALS Awareness Month, offering an opportunity to raise awareness, deepen public understanding, and support ongoing research and care.

What is ALS?

ALS targets motor neurons—nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for voluntary muscle movement. When these neurons degenerate and die, the brain can no longer communicate with muscles, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually respiratory failure. Most individuals with ALS retain their cognitive function, but lose the ability to walk, speak, eat, and breathe without assistance. The disease progresses over time, with most patients surviving between two to five years following diagnosis.

ALS presents in unique ways from person to person. It can begin in the limbs (limb-onset) or in muscles related to speaking and swallowing (bulbar-onset). While no cure currently exists, treatment advancements have offered hope for improved quality of life and extended survival.

Who is Affected by ALS?

ALS can affect anyone, though it is most commonly diagnosed between ages 40 and 70. According to the CDC, around 5,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the United States, with about 30,000 people living with the disease at any given time.

There are two major types of ALS:

Sporadic ALS: This is the most common form, accounting for 90% of cases. Though it appears without family history, a portion of cases may involve genetic mutations.

Familial ALS: Representing about 5% to 10% of cases, this inherited form results from specific genetic changes.

Certain groups are at higher risk. Military veterans and firefighters are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with ALS—potentially due to environmental exposures, physical trauma, or toxins encountered during service. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes ALS as a service-connected condition, entitling veterans to specialized care and benefits.

Recognizing Symptoms

Symptoms of ALS can vary widely but often begin with muscle weakness, cramps, twitching, or difficulty with speech or swallowing. As the disease progresses, individuals may experience:

• Spasticity and exaggerated reflexes
• Muscle atrophy, particularly in the hands and legs
• Bulbar symptoms like difficulty speaking (dysarthria) or swallowing (dysphagia)
• Emotional lability (pseudobulbar affect)
• Breathing difficulties

While ALS primarily affects motor function, cognitive or behavioral changes occur in up to 50% of patients. Around 10% to 15% may develop frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

Causes and Diagnosis

Though the exact cause of ALS remains unknown, genetic factors play a key role in some cases. Mutations in genes such as SOD1, C9orf72, FUS, and TARDBP are linked to the disease. Environmental triggers—like toxin exposure, viral infections, and intense physical activity—are also being studied.

ALS is diagnosed by ruling out other conditions through clinical evaluation, EMG tests, genetic screening, and imaging such as MRI. Early diagnosis is essential to access therapies and plan care.

There is no cure for ALS yet, but treatments like riluzole, edaravone, and tofersen (for those with SOD1 mutations) can slow progression. Promising research areas include gene therapy, RNA-targeted treatments, biomarkers like Neurofilament Light Chain, and artificial intelligence for diagnosis and personalized care.

Recently, a social media challenge which has led to many people not just trying it on, but to up the game a little bit is the Nicki Minaj Challenge. The challenge is inspired by the pop-artist Nicki Minaj's 2013 song High School, where she sits near the pool in her high heels stiletto with her legs crossed. Many users are now not only recreating this pose, but are also trying to balance this pose on objects to make it more challenging.

Attempting this challenge, a Russian influence Mariana Barutkina tried to balance the pose on cans, and ended up fracturing her back just weeks after giving birth. The new mom influencer shared the 'challenge fail' video of her falling as she lost her balance on top of a can of baby formula, stacked on top of a saucepan, while she ore high heels. The video shows that someone helped her maintain balance and as soon as she let go the hand, she lost her balance and fell.

However, this is not the first time something like this has happened. Social media challenges, as trendy as they may be, has had detrimental health consequences, so much so that studies by numerous international health journals and advisories have been issued.

Here are some of the social media challenges that has sparked health controversies:

Blue Whale Challenge

A 2019 study published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, noted that the "Blue Whale Challenge" started by a Russian psychologist, who thought that a person with "no value" should end their life, as does the whale which "strands" itself. The challenge soon spread to other countries including Ukraine, India and the United States.

The online game, popularly known as the "suicide game" aimed at teenagers which set 50 tasks over 50 days. Where those who took this challenge were asked to do easy tasks like waking up in the middle of the night or to watch a scary film. However, as days passed these tasks grew dangerous, leading to "cutting a whale in your arm" and eventually killing yourself.

The Benadryl Challenge

In 2020, notes Cleveland Clinic, TikTok challenge urged users to consume large amounts of the over-the-counter drug diphenhydramine, also known as Benadryl. This caused hallucinations or induce an altered mental state.

Experts have spoken out against this challenge, as it can lead to addiction issues, as well as other health risks. The challenge, which had gained popularity among pre-teens and teens, urged users to take 12 or more tablets at a time, whereas the direction say children aged 6 to 12, can take ne tablet every 4 to 6 hours. Whereas, for adults, no more than two tablets must be consumed, in 4 to 6 hours.

Overdose of Benadryl can lead to high body temperature and heart rate, confusion, sedation, delirium, hallucination, blurred vision, which could result in falls and injury, urinary retention, nausea, omitting, dizziness, and even death.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also issued an advisory against the high dose and misuse of the same on September 24, 2020. The advisory also noted: "We are aware of news reports of teenagers ending up in emergency rooms or dying after participating in the “Benadryl Challenge” encouraged in videos posted on the social media application TikTok."

The Sleepy Chicken Challenge

While mostly fictional, and used as a joke, social media did start a challenge where photos of "Nyquill Chicken" were circulated. The joke was that people could now coat chicken in cough medicine, cook it on the stove and eat.

On this too, FDA issued an advisory explaining why you should never heat up cough medicine and why overdosing is dangerous. However, it is important to note that it was always a joke on TikTok.

The Blackout Challenge

Another TikTok's viral challenge, which had made waves somewhere between end of 2020 to beginning of 2021 was the 'Blackout Challenge', where kids from around the world were choking themselves with household items until they blacked out. The challenge encouraged that they would get adrenaline rush once they would regain their consciousness and then post the video on social media.

Bloomberg reports, that a 10-year-old girl form Palermo, Sicily, named Antonella Sicomero, had been found hanging from a towel rack in January with a bathrobe belt around her neck.

The One Chip Challenge

The 'One Chip' challenge was promoted by Paqui, a tortilla chip company, with the package that red "One Chip Challenge". The chips were flavored with Carolina Reaper and Naga Viper peppers. The challenge involved eating the single spicy tortilla chip, then waiting as long as possible before eating or drinking anything else.

However, the challenge led to many people facing medical problems, including a 14-year-old boy who died within hours after he took this challenge in September 2023. Many reported experiencing mouth irritation, pain, or burning, along with intestinal discomfort. Furthermore, in extreme cases there were shortness of breath, allergic reactions, chest pain, heart palpitations, and heart attacks or strokes.

The company discontinued its production after the 14-year-old boy's demise.

Sometimes social media challenges can have harmful outcomes, the thirst for stardom causing people to go so far that they hurt themselves. This Russian influencer Mariana Vasiuc tried to outdo the multiple renditions of the trending Nicki Minaj stiletto trending, however that did not fare well for her. The challenge came from Nicki Minaj’s ‘High School’ music video from 2013, which has inspired many to copy her sitting while balancing on one leg, wearing heels.

In the post, the mom influencer shared the ‘challenge fail’ video of her taking a big fall. In the clip she could be seen trying to balance on top of a tub of baby formula, which was stacked on top of a saucepan, while wearing a pair of high heels while someone was helping her balance by holding her hand.

However, as soon as she let go of the hand, the saucepan slips off from underneath her, causing her to fall off the counter, in the caption of the deleted post she had mentioned sustaining a compression flexion fracture. She quite literally broke her back trying to brave the challenge. Here is what you need to know about the injury and how much time it could take her to recover.

What Is a Compression Fracture?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, compression fracture is a small break or crack in one of the bones of your spine, called a vertebra. The break happens in the main part of the vertebra, which is a thick, rounded section at the front of each bone. This fracture weakens the bone, causing the spine to collapse. Over time, this can lead to changes in your posture.

These fractures most often occur in the thoracic spine (the middle section of your back). They're commonly caused by osteoporosis, which weakens bones, but can also be the result of a traumatic injury (like a car accident) or a tumor that has spread to the spine.

Healthcare providers may treat these fractures with medication, a back brace, or surgery, depending on the severity and cause. You might hear your doctor use terms like "spinal compression fracture" or "vertebral compression fracture" to describe this condition.

Types of Compression Fractures

There are three main types of compression fractures. The most common is a wedge fracture, where the front of the vertebra collapses, causing the bone to take on a wedge shape. A crush fracture is when the entire vertebra breaks and collapses on itself. The most serious type is a burst fracture, where the vertebra shatters and bone pieces spread in multiple directions.

Compression fractures can also be classified as either stable or unstable. A stable fracture is when the broken bone typically stays in place. An unstable fracture is when bone fragments move out of place, potentially interfering with nearby nerves and tissue.

Risk Factors for Compression Fracture

Compression fractures are very common. An estimated 1 to 1.5 million of them happen every year in the United States. You may have a higher risk of a compression fracture if you:

• Are a woman who has gone through menopause.
• Are 50 years of age or older.
• Have a condition that affects your bone strength, like osteoporosis.
• Have had a compression fracture before.

How Can You Identify A Compression Fracture?

Compression fractures are caused by pressure on the vertebrae that leads to the bones breaking and collapsing. It can happen due to weakened bones from aging are more likely to fracture. Severe osteoporosis can even lead to fractures from simple actions like coughing, sneezing, or twisting. In Mariana’s case it happened due to trauma from a fall. Similarly, it can also happen in an car accident, or other physical impact can cause these fractures.

The symptoms of a compression fracture can range from mild to severe, and in some cases, you may not notice any symptoms at all.

• Sudden back pain that gets worse with movement and better with rest.
• Limited mobility, making it difficult to stand, walk, bend, or twist.
• Tingling or numbness in your back due to pinched nerves.
• Tenderness at the site of the fracture.
• Muscle weakness or spasms.
• A loss of height is a common sign, as the bone collapse can make you shorter.

How Long Does Recovery Take For A Compression Fracture?

The Cleveland Clinic explains that some types of compression fractures can heal on their own, however it can take months to heal. Your healthcare provider may gives you treatment options like a brace to make sure your spine heals properly.

Dennis Godby, 69, ND, MA, a Sacramento-based Naturopathic Doctor is again on his quest to walk for health equity. This walk, known as Walk USA for Health Equity (WUHE) is a journey he started in 2022, where he walks on foot across America and is the third crossing of the USA on foot. On the 4th leg of this journey between August 25-September 24, he plans to walk 765 miles from Fargo to Bozeman.

Why Is He Walking?

The reason? To raise awareness of health disparities, including discriminatory practices against Black women who die at childbirth, and to advocate for all Americans to have the opportunity to have access to optimal health. His walk comes in the light when much fund cuts have been made from the US healthcare ever since the RFK Jr-Trump administration has been found. Recently, RFK Jr. pulled $500 Million fund from mRNA vaccine projects and Donald Trump overhauled the vaccine committee.

Also Read: Mosquitoes Deployed To Kill Virus-Carrying Mosquito Larvae: How China Is Using Biological Weapons To Wage War Against Chikungunya

What Does His Day Look Like?

Every morning around 7:30 a.m., Dr Godby laces up his walking shoes, grabs his essentials, and sets off on a mission that goes far beyond personal endurance. The 69-year-old naturopathic doctor is halfway through a bold, 32,000-mile cross-country walk to spotlight racial disparities in healthcare, promote natural medicine, and lead by example.

His journey began in Myrtle Beach, North Carolina, in 2022 and is expected to conclude in Seattle, Washington, in 2026. Divided into five major segments, each completed over a month every year, Dr Godby recently reached the halfway point of his third leg in Pine Island. This year’s stretch covers nearly 700 miles, ending in Fargo, North Dakota. Along the way, he’ll pass through the Twin Cities and St. Cloud, partnering with local communities, health advocates, and naturopathic doctors to hold forums on health equity.

For Dr Godby, this isn’t just a walk, it’s a statement.

“I put my body on the line, because all I have is my body,” he said in a previous interview. “And to put it on the line to say that I care about these issues and please listen.”

The path hasn’t been easy. A torn knee meniscus in 2018 and open-heart surgery in 2024 to address a heart murmur might have sidelined many. But not Godby.

“[The doctors] said you get the surgery; you’ll be done in two months. Your heart will be ready to go,” he recalls. “They were some of my biggest supporters for me walking.”

Godby walks roughly 26 miles a day, finishing his trek by 5:30 p.m., depending on events or media interactions. He rests in donated accommodations from naturopathic doctors, hotels, or even in the back of a support truck. Unlike the solo miles of his early journey, nearly 2,000 of them, he now travels with a support driver due to the increasing distance between towns.

The “Walk USA for Health Equity” isn’t just a personal mission, it’s a community-driven movement. In each state, Dr. Godby collaborates with local organizations and health professionals to raise awareness and spark conversations about unequal access to healthcare. His latest partnerships in North Dakota and Montana will help carry the movement forward as he prepares for the final two legs: North Dakota to Montana (2025), and Bozeman to Seattle (2026).

Treating Patients Back Home

Back home in California, where he practices natural medicine, Dr Godby continues to treat patients during the off-season, using his experience to encourage them to embrace walking as a part of their healing. Over the last five years, including training, he’s logged over 15,000 miles, averaging 8.5 miles a day.

In 2023, he published Health for All: A Journey Towards Health Equity, a book that chronicles not only his walks but also his lifelong fight for social justice through medicine and movement.

Awarded the “True Grit” honor by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians in 2023, Dr Godby’s journey isn’t just about reaching Seattle—it’s about building a healthier, more equitable nation, one step at a time.