My First ALS Symptoms

Muscle twitching and weakening in a limb, as well as slurred speech, are common symptoms of ALS. ALS eventually wreaks havoc on the muscles that allow you to move, speak, eat, and breathe. This deadly condition has no known cure.

Muscle cramps aren’t usually enough to send someone to the doctor, but they should last days or weeks. Listen for changes in speech and walking, and notice any differences in muscle feel. Suppose you notice changes in any of these areas.

In that case, you should contact your regular doctor or a neurologist, a doctor specializing in brain and nervous system diseases. Although the first symptoms of ALS may look the same as other health issues, they may be symptoms of ALS.

Muscle weakness

The early symptoms of ALS vary significantly from patient to patient, so it can be challenging to determine if you have the disease. Often, symptoms may appear months after they first appeared, and doctors may mistake them for other illnesses. If you notice muscle weakness and other neuromuscular symptoms, it is essential to see a neurologist. They can perform tests to rule out other disorders or determine whether you have ALS.

Muscle weakness is one of the most common symptoms of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS is a progressive neurological disease caused by damage to the motor neurons in the brain, spinal cord, and brain. Without these nerve cells, the body cannot send messages to the muscles and begin atrophy. As a result, as the muscles weaken, it will become impossible to move and breathe properly.

The symptoms of ALS progress in stages, but early muscle weakness is the most common symptom. The disease affects approximately 60% of people diagnosed with ALS. Other early symptoms can include difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, and muscle cramps. Often, the hands and feet are affected first. Eventually, the disease will affect the swallowing, chewing, and breathing muscles.

ALS can manifest itself in many ways, but it is best to see a doctor as soon as possible. It can be difficult to recognize early symptoms, and a diagnosis is difficult without an appropriate diagnosis. In addition, the disease progresses differently in each person. Initially, it can start in one or two parts of the body. For example, people with limb-onset ALS often have difficulty walking, buttoning buttons, and grasping objects.

Stiffness

Your first signs of ALS could be muscle cramps, numbness, tingling, or pain. You should seek medical attention if you notice these symptoms persisting for days or weeks. First, observe your muscles and note any changes in your walk or speech. Then, see your regular doctor and a neurologist specializing in brain diseases. However, early ALS symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions, so it’s essential to get a proper diagnosis as early as possible.

In addition to the stiffness and pain, your first signs of ALS may be slurred speech, muscle weakness, or cramps. The severity of these symptoms will depend on the muscles affected. In addition, some people may have difficulty performing everyday tasks, such as swallowing. In addition, the stiffness and pain in the legs and arms may be a sign of other health issues. A doctor may perform lab tests to make a more definitive diagnosis in such a case.

Other early signs of ALS include trouble walking or running and tripping more easily. If you have ALS, you may experience the symptoms in one leg first and then in another. These are called “limb onset” symptoms. In addition, your speech and voice may change, and you may experience spasms in your face, neck, and jaw. You may also experience excessive crying, laughing, or slurred speech.

ALS symptoms vary from person to person. You may experience a weak sensation in your feet and hands and difficulty walking in a straight line. Muscle control is essential for breathing. If you can identify your symptoms early, you can get treatment for the stiffness and pain. In the meantime, it is essential to get a proper diagnosis to prolong muscle control and your quality of life. This is because early diagnosis will allow you to treat the symptoms and live with your disability for a longer time.

Hoarseness

ALS patients can experience a wide range of symptoms, ranging from hoarseness to bulbar palsy. Although it is rare to develop this condition in its initial stages, patients with this disease may experience symptoms such as dysarthria and dysphagia.

As my first ALS symptoms, Hoarseness occurs in only a few patients with the disease. However, in one young woman, a mutated SOD1 gene caused her symptoms to include bilateral and asymmetric abduction weakness of the vocal cord.

Vocal cord dysfunction in ALS is not uncommon. It can be intranuclear or supranuclear in origin. A patient with a reasonable VC should be evaluated by an otolaryngologist immediately, as the onset of glottic narrowing can be life-threatening. While a tracheotomy is needed in severe cases, management of milder cases is not yet transparent.

Other early symptoms of ALS are hoarseness and difficulty in swallowing. The pain and muscle spasms are typically insufficient to send people to the doctor. However, these symptoms should last for days or even weeks to be confirmed as a disease symptoms. Pay close attention to how your muscles feel and listen to your speech and walking. Then, you should schedule an appointment with a neurologist who specializes in brain and spinal cord diseases. Because the early symptoms of ALS may resemble the symptoms of other illnesses, a doctor should carefully monitor your voice and assess your overall health.

Slowness of breathing

The slowness of breathing is one of the early ALS symptoms, and it affects a person in eight different ways. The most common pattern is spread across the spinal cord and the brainstem region. However, some people experience the symptoms in different parts of their bodies, such as the arm, trunk, leg, or bulbar region. In addition, there are drugs available for managing drooling.

Loss of feeling

One of the early ALS symptoms is the gradual loss of feeling in the arms, legs, and face. Muscles also become weak and can twitch, resulting in problems with walking and talking. ALS attacks the motor neurons, not the other senses, so symptoms are often similar to those of other diseases. The limb-onset ALS symptoms usually begin in the arms and legs. They are characterized by fatigue, slurred speech, and poor balance. Affected patients may also trip and fall during walks.

The best way to diagnose ALS is to visit your doctor. If you have no family history, ALS is usually considered sporadic. Therefore, your risk of contracting the disease is no higher than that of the general population. However, it would be best if you visited your doctor as soon as you started experiencing symptoms of the disease. Then, your doctor can refer you to a neurologist if necessary. Seeing a neurologist early will ensure that you’re diagnosed correctly and get the proper treatment.

Therapy is a standard part of life for people with ALS. Besides talking and communicating, therapies help patients stay strong and continue daily activities. These include canes, wheelchairs, handrails, and ramps. Other therapies include massage and meditation. These therapies help you maintain your independence and comfort as you age. In addition, nutrition and proper nutrition are essential for maintaining strength and lungs and will help you breathe easier.

ALS also affects muscles, so it is vital to get a diagnosis as early as possible. Fortunately, there are medications for various ALS symptoms, including muscle cramps, pain, and stiffness. Some drugs can also help with phlegm, excess saliva, and pseudobulbar affect. There are also drugs for depression, sleep disturbances, and constipation.