Lou Gehrig’s Disease: What Are the First Symptoms?
Lou Gehrig’s disease, medically known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a progressive neurological disease that damages the motor neurons responsible for voluntary muscle movement. Early symptoms can be subtle and vary considerably from person to person. Mayo Clinic+1
Possible early symptoms include:
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Muscle weakness, often beginning in one hand, arm, leg, or foot.
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Hand clumsiness, such as difficulty buttoning clothes or holding objects.
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Tripping or falling because of weakness in the legs or ankles.
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Muscle twitching or cramps, sometimes accompanied by weakness.
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Slurred speech or difficulty controlling the muscles used for speaking.
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Difficulty swallowing.
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Stiffness or difficulty moving normally. Mayo Clinic+1
An important point
Having one of these symptoms does not mean someone has ALS. Many much more common conditions can cause muscle cramps, twitching, weakness, or difficulty walking. ALS can be difficult to diagnose in its early stages, so doctors use a neurological examination and tests such as EMG and nerve-conduction studies, along with other investigations to rule out alternative causes. Mayo Clinic
If weakness is progressively worsening or interfering with walking, hand function, speech, or swallowing, medical evaluation—often by a neurologist—is appropriate.
