Progression of ALS Symptoms

ALS, short for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, is a disabling and deadly condition that affects 0.002 percent of the population. Most ALS is not hereditary, though up to 10 percent of cases may be genetic, according to Medline Plus. It is not yet known what causes the non-hereditary forms of ALS.

Limb Onset

• Most patients begin with 'limb onset,' which is muscle weakness and atrophy in an arm or leg. This arm or leg weakness will usually be the first sign that there is a problem.

Bulbar Onset

• Some patients begin with a 'bulbar onset' instead, which is when the muscle weakness begins in the throat area. They will first notice that they are having trouble speaking and will lose control over their tongue and throat muscles earlier than those with 'limb onset,' though the limb onset patients will eventually lose these abilities as well.

Time Frame

• Eventually, ALS affects all the body, but progresses slowly. As time passes, more muscles will be affected, usually one or a few at a time. The order and timeframe is different for each person.

Effects

• The ALS patient will lose control over all of their muscles eventually, except for the sphincter and eye muscles. For an unknown reason, these muscles are sparred in most ALS patients.

Significance

• Patients who choose to medically manage their ALS will eventually need to use machines to eat, breathe and speak. They will also be wheelchair bound or bedridden.