Lou Gehrig’s Syndrome: Here Are the First Symptoms of This Disease
Lou Gehrig’s disease, medically known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the nerve cells responsible for voluntary muscle movement. The disease can begin subtly, and early symptoms vary from person to person. (Mayo Clinic)
Importantly, having one of these symptoms does not mean someone has ALS. Many much more common conditions can cause muscle weakness, cramps, twitching, or difficulty walking.
What Are the Early Symptoms of ALS?
According to Mayo Clinic, early symptoms can include:
Weakness in a hand, arm, leg, foot, or ankle
Increasing clumsiness with the hands
Frequent tripping or falling
Difficulty walking or performing familiar daily activities
Muscle cramps or twitching, particularly when accompanied by weakness
Slurred speech
Difficulty swallowing
Weakness involving the shoulders or tongue
Changes in thinking or behavior in some people (Mayo Clinic)
ALS often begins in one part of the body and gradually spreads as motor neurons become damaged. The pattern and speed of progression can vary considerably between individuals. (Mayo Clinic)
Muscle Twitching Doesn’t Automatically Mean ALS
Muscle twitching, known medically as fasciculations, is frequently mentioned in discussions about ALS. However, twitching by itself is not enough to indicate ALS.
What is more concerning is persistent or progressive twitching occurring together with measurable muscle weakness, muscle wasting, increasing clumsiness, or other neurological changes. Doctors use a neurological examination and appropriate testing to determine the cause. (Mayo Clinic)
Speech and Swallowing Changes Can Also Occur
For some people, ALS initially affects muscles involved in speaking and swallowing.
Possible early signs include speech becoming slurred or unusually slow, difficulty moving the tongue, or problems swallowing food and liquids. (Mayo Clinic)
These symptoms can also occur with many other neurological and medical conditions, so they require professional assessment rather than self-diagnosis.
How Is ALS Diagnosed?
There isn’t a single test that confirms ALS.
Doctors consider the person’s symptoms and medical history and perform a neurological examination. Tests such as electromyography (EMG) and nerve-conduction studies may be used, along with other investigations to rule out conditions that can produce similar symptoms. (Mayo Clinic)
This is particularly important because ALS can be difficult to diagnose during its early stages when symptoms may resemble those of other disorders. (Mayo Clinic)
When Should You See a Doctor?
If you develop progressive, unexplained muscle weakness, repeated falls, persistent hand clumsiness, or new problems with speech or swallowing, make an appointment with a healthcare professional.
A doctor can determine whether the symptoms are neurological or caused by another, potentially treatable condition.
Sudden weakness, sudden difficulty speaking, facial drooping, or other abrupt neurological symptoms should be treated as an emergency because they can be signs of a stroke rather than ALS.
The Bottom Line
ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, can begin with subtle symptoms such as progressive muscle weakness, hand clumsiness, tripping, muscle cramps or twitching, slurred speech, or difficulty swallowing. (Mayo Clinic)
However, these symptoms are not specific to ALS, and an image or symptom checklist cannot diagnose the disease. Persistent or worsening neurological changes should be evaluated by a healthcare professional, with further testing when appropriate.
