Lou Gehrig’s disease, medically known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a progressive neurological disease that affects nerve cells controlling voluntary muscles. Early symptoms can be subtle and vary considerably from person to person.
Possible early symptoms
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Muscle weakness, often beginning in one hand, arm, leg, or the muscles used for speech.
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Muscle twitching (fasciculations) or cramps, particularly in an affected area.
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Clumsiness or difficulty with fine movements, such as buttoning clothes or turning a key.
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Tripping or difficulty walking because of weakness in the legs or feet.
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Slurred speech or difficulty speaking clearly when the muscles involved in speech are affected.
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Difficulty swallowing in some people.
ALS can begin differently in different people, and these symptoms do not mean someone has ALS. Much more common conditions—including nerve compression, medication effects, nutritional deficiencies, and other neurological disorders—can cause similar symptoms.
There isn’t a single test that confirms ALS. A neurologist typically uses the medical history and neurological examination, along with tests such as EMG/nerve-conduction studies and imaging, to investigate the cause.
If someone develops new, progressive muscle weakness, especially when it is accompanied by muscle twitching or speech/swallowing difficulties, they should arrange a medical evaluation rather than trying to diagnose themselves from symptoms alone.
