ABSTRACT
In our present state of knowledge the whole of the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is palliative, in the sense that the disease remains incurable and our ability even to modify its progression is slight. Therefore, therapeutic efforts are directed toward maximizing the comfort and function, and hence the quality of life of people with ALS. Implicitly included in this work are the families and others close to the patient who very often will be shouldering much of the burden of care and who will in any case be affected emotionally by seeing the impact of ALS on the one they love and eventually by their death. This palliation is needed from the moment of diagnosis and is the responsibility of all physicians and other health care professionals involved in ALS care, whether specialists or not.
