Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS): Early Symptoms to Know
Lou Gehrig’s disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a progressive neurological disease that affects nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement. It is named after the famous baseball player Lou Gehrig, who was diagnosed with the condition in 1939.
Early symptoms can be subtle and may vary from person to person. They can also resemble other, more common conditions, so diagnosis requires evaluation by a healthcare professional.
Common early signs of ALS
1. Muscle weakness in one area
- Weakness may begin in a hand, arm, leg, or the muscles used for speaking and swallowing.
- People may notice difficulty with tasks such as buttoning clothes, gripping objects, or climbing stairs.
2. Muscle twitching (fasciculations)
- Small, involuntary muscle movements may occur, often in the arms, legs, shoulders, or tongue.
3. Muscle cramps and stiffness
- Frequent cramps or a feeling of tight, stiff muscles may develop.
4. Trouble with coordination and fine movements
- Dropping objects
- Tripping more often
- Difficulty with precise hand movements
5. Speech changes
- Slurred speech
- A quieter voice
- Difficulty pronouncing words clearly
6. Swallowing difficulties
- Coughing while eating or drinking
- Feeling that food gets stuck
- Longer meal times
7. Changes in emotional expression
Some people experience episodes of uncontrollable laughing or crying (called pseudobulbar affect), which can occur with certain neurological conditions
