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Lou Gehrig’s disease, also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is a progressive disease affecting motor neurons—the nerve cells that control voluntary muscles. Its earliest symptoms can be subtle and vary considerably from person to person.
Early symptoms to watch for
- Muscle weakness, often beginning in one hand, arm, foot, or leg
- Tripping, falling, or difficulty walking
- Hand clumsiness, such as trouble buttoning clothes or gripping objects
- Muscle twitching (fasciculations), particularly in the arms, legs, shoulders, or tongue
- Muscle cramps
- Stiff or tight muscles (spasticity)
- Slurred or nasal speech
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Occasionally, changes in thinking or behavior can occur.
An important distinction
Having a muscle twitch, cramp, or occasional weakness does not mean you have ALS. Many much more common conditions can cause similar symptoms. ALS can be difficult to diagnose early because its symptoms overlap with other neurological disorders. Doctors generally use a neurological examination and tests such as EMG and nerve-conduction studies, while ruling out other causes.
If weakness is progressively worsening or interfering with walking, hand function, speaking, or swallowing, it’s important to arrange a medical evaluation—typically with a neurologist.
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