What are the Early Signs of ALS?

Physical symptoms of ALS vary from person to person, but there are some common early signs among ALS patients

No one wants to think about the possibility of living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but it’s important to be informed and educated about the signs of ALS if you suspect you might have the disease. Speak with your doctor if you’re concerned about any of these issues so you can get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan as soon as possible.

 

The early signs of ALS

These signs may indicate that someone is developing a condition known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease. This disease attacks the nerve cells, which control muscle movement in both voluntary and involuntary muscles. Although there is no cure for ALS, early detection helps people with serious symptoms to lead a longer and healthier life. Here is an overview of some of the earliest warning signs of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

1) Muscle weakness. 

The most common sign of ALS is gradual onset muscle weakness that starts in one limb, but eventually spreads to other areas of your body, including your respiratory muscles. One-third of people who have developed ALS have first noticed their hands feeling stiff or numb before experiencing any loss of strength or mobility in their arms and legs.

 2) Trouble chewing and swallowing. 

In about a third of people with ALS, symptoms include difficulty eating or swallowing foods as well as weight loss caused by lack of appetite. Drooling may also occur when you talk due to excess saliva in your mouth. This can be an early sign that something is wrong with your nervous system. Because swallowing difficulties lead to rapid dehydration, it’s important for anyone experiencing these symptoms to see their doctor right away for further testing.

3) Muscle twitching. 

Muscle twitching—or fasciculations—is another common symptom of ALS; more than half of all those diagnosed experience muscle twitches before they notice any other signs. These involuntary contractions usually start in your hands and feet but can eventually spread to larger muscles such as those found in your thighs and abdomen. At first, they only last a few seconds at a time but can become so frequent that you notice them most of the time.

4) Breathing problems. 

One of the final stages of ALS involves respiratory failure that makes breathing difficult and causes you to need a respirator (ventilator). When your diaphragm begins to fail from weakened nerve impulses from your brain, you will have trouble exhaling and eventually won’t be able to inhale enough oxygen into your lungs.

5) Drooping eyelids or a blank stare. 

About half of all people with ALS also experience eye issues including drooping eyelids or double vision caused by weakness in their extraocular muscles. Some people experience bulbar-onset ALS (also known as pseudobulbar-ALS), which causes certain areas of their face—including around their mouth—to droop while they maintain normal eye function.

6) Numbness and difficulty speaking.

 Other early signs that you may have ALS include numbness, tingling, and/or difficulty speaking and swallowing caused by muscle weakness in your tongue, lips, throat, and/or face.

Although these symptoms aren’t unique to ALS patients, if you notice them along with other signs such as muscle twitching you should contact your doctor immediately for an evaluation.