Lou Gehrig’s disease, medically called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a progressive neurological disease that damages motor neurons—the nerve cells that control voluntary muscles.
Early symptoms can include
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Gradually worsening muscle weakness, often beginning in one hand, arm, leg, or the muscles used for speech.
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Dropping objects or difficulty with fine movements, such as buttoning clothes or turning keys.
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Tripping, stumbling, or difficulty climbing stairs.
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Muscle twitching (fasciculations) or cramps, particularly in affected muscles.
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Slurred speech or difficulty swallowing when the muscles controlling speech and swallowing are involved.
ALS doesn’t always begin the same way, and these symptoms are much more commonly caused by other conditions. Muscle twitching or occasional weakness by itself does not mean someone has ALS.
When to seek medical evaluation
Progressive, unexplained weakness—especially when it’s affecting everyday activities—should be evaluated by a doctor or neurologist. Diagnosis generally requires a neurological examination and may involve tests such as EMG/nerve-conduction studies and imaging or laboratory tests to rule out other causes.
If someone develops sudden weakness, facial drooping, speech difficulty, or loss of coordination, that’s different: it can indicate a stroke and requires immediate emergency care.
