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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Symptoms

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig's disease, is a serious neurological disorder that attacks the motor neurons that control the body's voluntary muscles. The disease progresses quickly, causing the death of 90 percent of patients within five years.

  1. Legs

    • People with ALS may notice weakness in one leg and start to have trouble walking or running. They may trip and stumble more than usual.

    Arms/Hands

    • Dexterity diminishes, making common tasks such as tying shoes and signing a check more difficult, as muscles in the arms weaken.

    Speech/Swallowing

    • For some ALS patients, slurred speech is an early symptom of the disease. Patients will eventually have trouble swallowing and chewing, making eating difficult and choking a risk.

    Twitches/Cramps

    • ALS patients suffer cramping and involuntary movement of their muscles as they atrophy. Some muscles will get tight and stiff, and reflexes, including the gag reflex, are heightened.

    Breathing

    • As the disease progresses, ALS patients are unable to breathe on their own due to atrophy of the respiratory muscles and will need a ventilator. Pneumonia becomes a greater possibility.

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