March 14, 2018 will be remembered as the fateful day the world lost one of its brightest minds. Stephen Hawking is a name that needs no introduction and the world has been left visibly shook after representatives of his family confirmed his death at the age of 76. The theoretical physicist and cosmologist has innumerable contributions to the world of physics, namely his work on singularities, black hole mechanics and theory of cosmic inflation. But these achievements aside, Hawking is also remembered fondly by the world for his media-friendly presence and his brilliant wit.

The image of a wheel-chair bound Hawking communicating in a staccato computer-generated voice is forever imprinted in our minds. But people who have followed the life of the great scientist know that he wasn’t always tethered to the wheel chair and that his condition was caused by a deadly disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS. Readers may remember ALS from the “Ice Bucket Challenge” videos of the 2014s.

The physicist was diagnosed with the rare disease back in 1963. Sadly, he was only 21 when the diagnosis was made. Here are 8 stunning facts about the disease that claimed the life of the physicist.

1 It’s a progressive disease

ALS is a progressive disease which affects the person’s ability to walk, talk, eat or write. It pretty much affects your ability to function normally. In advanced stages of the disease, the patient finds it difficult even to breathe. Average survival time after the diagnosis of ALS is three years. Ten percent of the patients survive for 10 years and only five percent survives 20 years.

2 ALS can affect anyone

When it comes to affecting people, no ethnic, economic or racial group is spared. The disease can affect anyone from any corner of the world.

3 It is not contagious

Most cases of ALS are sporadic, which means they happen randomly. But it is genetically transmitted in around 5-10 percent of the cases. Children of parents with ALS have a 50-50 chances of contracting the disorder. Gene mutation, chemical imbalance in the body, disorganised immune response and accumulation of proteins in the cells are some of the possible causes of ALS.

4 Men are more at risk before the age of 65

ALS risk is mostly seen between the ages of 40-60. Men have a slightly higher risk of contracting ALS than women before the age of 65. However, after 70, both the sexes are equally at risk.

5 Smoking is a risk factor

Environmental factors can also increase the risk of ALS. Smoking happens to be one of them. Interestingly, menopausal women who happen to smoke have an elevated risk of contracting the disease. Apart from smoking, exposure to toxins like lead and other heavy metals have been tied to ALS risk.

6 People who served in the military are more at risk

Recent studies have shown that people who served in the military are at higher risk of ALS. While it is not certain what makes them more susceptible, the general hypothesis is that exposure to chemicals, explosives, heavy metals, viral infections and trauma may somehow be linked.

7 ALS eventually affects the mind

Since it is a degenerative disease, ALS eventually starts affecting sufferers’ cognitive skills. Some people with the disease struggle with memory loss and decision making. Dementia is also seen among a section of people with ALS.

8 Diagnosis at a younger age ensures longer survival

Stunningly, Hawking was given only two years to life after the diagnosis was made in 1963. And on an average, a person can survive for three years after the diagnosis is made. It has to be noted that the diagnosis was made when the physicist was just 21 and there are studies that show that early diagnosis of ALS is linked with a longer survival rate.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 14, 2018 10:23 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).