“With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend to many,” according to a statement made from the actor’s verified Instagram account.
He battled ALS
“For five and a half years Ken faced a series of awful challenges from ALS. And in truest Ken fashion, he managed to rise above each one with grace and commitment to living a full and joyous life in each moment,” the statement added.
On Aug 11, 2022, the actor took to social media his struggle with the disease: Well…It has been a long full road travelled.. 4 years ago today I was diagnosed. #ALS is absolutely horrifying … but during this journey there has also been a plethora of heightened beauty. Mostly with the connections with friends, family and even strangers. The level of love, care and support is such an incredible gift. Thank you. Forever grateful
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, gradually leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually respiratory failure. ALS primarily targets motor neurons, responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movements, leading to a loss of muscle control and function. As the disease progresses, individuals may experience difficulties with speaking, swallowing, and breathing, significantly impacting their quality of life.
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While the exact cause of ALS remains unclear, a combination of genetic and environmental factors likely contributes to its development. Currently, there is no cure for ALS, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms, improving quality of life, and providing support for individuals and their families. Research efforts continue to explore potential therapies and interventions to better understand and ultimately combat this devastating disease.
The common symptoms of ALS are twitching and cramping of muscles, especially those in the hands and feet, loss of motor control in hands and arms, impairment in arms and legs, tripping and falling, persistent fatigue, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing and paralysis. “People with ALS may eventually lose their abilities to move, breathe, eat, and talk as the disease worsens. It makes it difficult to walk, climb stairs, or grab objects. The individual has trouble doing things like writing, buttoning shirts, or handling small objects that call for fine motor control. As ALS worsens, the respiratory muscles may weaken and cause breathing difficulties, particularly at night,” says Dr. Vipul Gupta – Chief – Neurointerventional Surgery & Co-Chief – Stroke Unit, Artemis Hospital, Gurugram. “Although the precise cause of ALS remains unclear, a hereditary and environmental combination is thought to be involved. Further research is required to completely understand the relationships between environmental factors including exposure to chemicals or particular viral infections and the development of ALS,” Dr.Gupta adds.