ALS Symptoms: Understanding Motor Neuron Disease - Symptoms & Progression

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.

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.