First Symptoms of ALS
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive condition that attacks nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. There is no cure for this disease and it will eventually lead to death. The ALS Association estimates that 5,600 new cases of ALS are diagnosed each year in the United States. Although the severity of the early symptoms of this disease can vary by person, most will experience many of the same symptoms.
Other People Are Reading
-
Tingling and Numbness
-
One of the earliest symptoms reported by many patients diagnosed with ALS is a tingling sensation or feeling of numbness in the extremities. This symptom commonly occurs in the fingertips and toes. It is important to understand that simply experiencing tingling or numbness does not necessary mean that a person has developed ALS. There are several other issues that can cause the same sensations, including a pinched nerve caused by a herniated disk, vitamin B-12 deficiencies or even extreme stress.
Muscle Cramping and Twitching
-
Muscle cramping is very common in patients with ALS. Physicians believe that the cramping is caused by muscle fatigue as well as spasticity or tightening of the muscles. As the disease progresses the muscle cramps can become very painful. Along with the cramps, many experience muscle twitching. This is an involuntary constriction of the muscle caused by irritated nerves. The twitching is not painful but can become very annoying, especially at night when it disrupts sleep patterns.
-
Muscle Weakness
-
Muscle weakness is probably one of the most well known symptoms of ALS. Muscle weakness typically begins in one part of the body such as an arm or a leg. As more muscles are affected, the weakness will spread through the body. As the muscles begin to atrophy, the patient may notice an awkwardness when walking which can cause increased incidents of tripping and falling. Lifting and picking up items will become difficult when the muscles of the arms and hands become affected.
Slurred or Thick Speech
-
Motor neurons are cells located in the brain, brain stem and spinal cord and serve as a communication system between the nerves and the muscles. The upper motor neurons control the functions of the upper body such as talking, swallowing and blinking your eyes. ALS affects both the upper and lower motor neurons. When the upper neurons are affected they begin to deteriorate and the patient begins to experience difficulties with speech and swallowing.
Uncontrollable Periods of Laughing or Crying
-
ALS patients may experience periods of uncontrollable crying or laughing. These outbursts do not portray their current emotions. Instead, the episodes are caused by the damage to the upper motor neurons. Normally, those that suffer from greater degeneration to the upper motor neurons versus the lower motor neurons will be more susceptible to these outbursts. Although these emotions are not related to depression, some people have benefited from the use of antidepressants to control these situations.
-
