ALS Disease Symptoms

The nature and severity of ALS disease symptoms differ from person to person, depending on the effect on the motor neuron cells. Scroll down to know more...

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting the nerve cells present in the brain and spinal cord. There are several nerve cells known as motor neurons, located in our brain and spinal cord, that serve as communication links between the nervous system and the voluntary muscles of the body. These neurons are responsible for controlling the various actions of the voluntary muscles. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) belongs to a group of motor neuron diseases that are characterized by degeneration or death of these motor neurons. As a result, the connection between the nervous system and voluntary muscles is lost and the brain loses the ability to initiate or control the functions of the voluntary muscles. The muscles gradually lose their strength and are unable to function normally. This condition is quite serious and can even be fatal. In this article, we shall discus some of the common ALS disease symptoms. But before that, let us take a quick look at the causes of ALS disease.

ALS Disease Causes

ALS disease is considered as one of the most common neuromuscular disease that affects both, men and women. The risk of developing ALS increases with age and it is observed that ALS mostly strikes people between 40 and 60 years of age. However, that does not mean others are safe from this disease. Younger children or elderly people too can develop this disorder.

Research is still going on to find the exact cause of this diseases. Genetic disorder is believed to be one of the most common causes of ALS. Other probable causes include increase in the levels of glutamate, a chemical responsible for transmission of messages between the neurons, environmental factors such as free radicals and autoimmune responses. Now, let us proceed to ALS symptoms.

ALS Disease Symptoms

The early symptoms of ALS are difficult to diagnose and often overlooked. Moreover, the symptoms of ALS are not specific and vary from person to person. Take a look at some of the earliest signs and symptoms of ALS syndrome:

Twitching

Stiffening of nerves

Slurred speech

Difficulty in swallowing

Muscle weakness

Fatigue

Tripping, dropping things, difficulty in walking or lifting things are generally some of the first ALS syndrome symptoms. Muscle weakness generally begins with the hands and feet and gradually spreads to the rest of the body. As the muscles weaken further, some people may experience muscle cramps, muscle atrophy and muscle twitches. As the disease progresses, muscle atrophy and weakness spreads in the other parts of the body. Difficulty in chewing and swallowing increases the risk of choking in the progressive stages of the disease. Some people may also experience difficulty in breathing in the advanced stages of ALS. It is observed that respiratory failure is the most common cause of death in patients with ALS. People with ALS succumb to various infections, particularly pneumonia. Lung failure, heart failure and pulmonary embolism are some common causes of death of ALS patients. However, it is important to note that, ALS affects only the motor neurons and hence only the voluntary muscles are involved. This disease does not affect a person's ability of thinking or any of the five senses.

This was all about ALS disease symptoms. You can take a look at the article on Lou Gehrig's disease symptoms for more information. Although there is no specific treatment to cure this disease completely, early diagnoses can help in decreasing the intensity of the condition to some extent. Hope you found this ALS disease information useful!