Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS): Early Symptoms to Know
Lou Gehrig’s disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a progressive neurological disease that affects nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement. Symptoms can vary from person to person and may develop gradually.
Early signs of ALS may include:
- Muscle weakness
- Often begins in one area, such as a hand, arm, leg, or the muscles involved in speech.
- Muscle twitching (fasciculations)
- Small, involuntary muscle movements may appear under the skin.
- Muscle cramps or stiffness
- Some people experience frequent cramps, tightness, or stiffness.
- Difficulty with everyday tasks
- Trouble with buttons, gripping objects, writing, walking, or climbing stairs may occur.
- Changes in speech
- Slurred speech, a softer voice, or difficulty pronouncing words can be early signs in some cases.
- Difficulty swallowing
- Problems with chewing or swallowing may develop as muscles become affected.
- Tripping or balance problems
- Weakness in the legs can lead to falls or difficulty walking.
- Unusual fatigue
- Some people notice increased tiredness during activities that were previously easy.
Important to know:
- These symptoms do not automatically mean someone has ALS. Many other conditions can cause similar symptoms, including nerve compression, vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems, and other neurological disorders.
- ALS diagnosis requires evaluation by a healthcare professional, often including a neurological exam and specialized tests.
Anyone experiencing progressive muscle weakness, repeated falls, speech changes, or swallowing difficulties should seek medical evaluation to determine the cause.
