Lou Gehrig’s disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a progressive disease affecting the nerve cells that control voluntary muscles.
Early symptoms can include
Gradually worsening muscle weakness, often starting in one hand, arm, foot, or leg.
Dropping objects or hand clumsiness—for example, difficulty buttoning clothes or writing.
Tripping or difficulty walking because of weakness in the legs or feet.
Muscle twitching or cramps, sometimes in the arms, shoulders, or tongue.
Slurred speech or difficulty swallowing when the muscles involved in speaking or swallowing are affected first.
Less commonly, uncontrollable laughing or crying or changes in thinking/behavior can occur.
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Mayo Clinic
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A key point is that these symptoms do not automatically mean someone has ALS. Many more common conditions can cause muscle twitching, weakness, cramps, or difficulty walking. ALS is diagnosed through a neurological examination and tests such as an EMG, while doctors also rule out other causes.
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Mayo Clinic
If weakness is progressively worsening, especially when accompanied by muscle wasting, persistent twitching, speech changes, or swallowing problems, it is worth getting evaluated by a doctor or neurologist rather than waiting for it to become severe.
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