Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mohamadmostafa Jahansouz M.D.[2]

Overview

The onset of ALS may be so subtle that the symptoms are frequently overlooked. The earliest LMN symptoms are weakness due to muscle atrophy. This is followed by twitching, cramping, or stiffness of affected muscles; muscle weakness affecting an arm or a leg; and/or slurred and nasal speech. The twitching, cramping, etc. associated with ALS is a result of the dying muscle, due to denervation and sometimes probable re-innervation.

History and Symptoms

History

ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that ultimately leads to paralysis. Patients may have a positive history of:

Weakness start proximally/ distally in upper or lower limbs.
Twitching
Cramping
Gradually Stiffness also develop in affected muscles
Difficulty swallowing/ speech.
Drooling

Symptoms

Common symptoms of ALS include:

Muscle weakness
Muscle stiffness
Gait disturbances
Dysarthria/ dysphagia with bulbar-onset ALS.
Respiratory difficulties

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References

↑ Wijesekera LC, Leigh PN (2009). “Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis”. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 4: 3. doi:10.1186/1750-1172-4-3. PMC 2656493. PMID 19192301.

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[pmid19192301-1] Wijesekera LC, Leigh PN (2009). “Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis”. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 4: 3. doi:10.1186/1750-1172-4-3. PMC 2656493. PMID 19192301.

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