Lou Gehrig’s disease, medically called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a progressive neurological disease affecting motor neurons—the nerve cells that control voluntary muscles. Early symptoms can be subtle and vary considerably between people.
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Mayo Clinic
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Early symptoms can include
Unexplained muscle weakness — often beginning in one hand, arm, foot, or leg.
Frequent tripping or falling — sometimes because of weakness in the feet or ankles.
Hand clumsiness — difficulty buttoning clothes, turning keys, writing, or gripping objects.
Muscle twitching or cramps — particularly when accompanied by progressive weakness.
Slurred speech — or difficulty controlling the muscles involved in speaking.
Difficulty swallowing — including choking or difficulty handling food and liquids.
Muscle wasting — a muscle or limb may gradually become visibly smaller as weakness progresses.
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Mayo Clinic
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One important point
Having one of these symptoms does not mean you have ALS. Many much more common and treatable conditions can cause muscle twitching, weakness, numbness, cramps, or difficulty walking. ALS can be difficult to diagnose early because its symptoms overlap with other neurological disorders. Doctors may use neurological examination, EMG/nerve-conduction studies, imaging and blood tests to investigate the cause.
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Mayo Clinic
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If weakness is progressively worsening or spreading, particularly when accompanied by muscle wasting, twitching, speech changes, or swallowing difficulties, arrange a medical evaluation—often with a neurologist.
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Primary Care in Rochester and Kasson
If speech difficulty or weakness starts suddenly, however, treat that as an emergency because conditions such as stroke can cause sudden neurological symptoms.
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