The term 'Lou Gehrig's Disease, for short' is often abbreviated as ALS (3 letters). ALS stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, which is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. It is also known as Motor Neuron Disease or Charcot's Disease. Symptoms of ALS include muscle weakness, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, and eventually paralysis. There is no known cure for ALS, but treatments can help manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.