ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a form of motor neuron disease. These diseases share in common the progressive degeneration and death of the motor neurons--nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain that enable muscle movement. Symptoms associated with ALS are physical manifestations of the advancing loss of muscle control. Other motor neuron diseases and nervous system disorders often cause symptoms similar to those that occur with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
Twitching
Muscle twitching, or fasciculations, due to lack of input from the motor neurons is a common symptom of ALS, reports the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Many other diseases and conditions may also cause muscle twitching, including muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome, spinal muscular atrophy, inflammatory muscles disorders, drug side effects or overdose, and diabetic or other forms of peripheral neuropathy.
Muscle Weakness
Muscle weakness is a common symptom of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In approximately 60 percent of patients with ALS, muscle weakness is the presenting symptom, reports the ALS Association. In most patients, weakness initially affects specific areas of the body, such as the hands, arms, feet, legs and the muscles associated with speech and swallowing. Other diseases and conditions that frequently cause localized muscle weakness include muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, stroke, inflammatory muscle disorders, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy and nerve compression syndromes, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and sciatica.
Muscle Wasting
Muscle fibers wither in the absence of adequate stimulation from the motor neurons. This symptom, known as muscle wasting or atrophy, is a hallmark symptom among patients with ALS, reports The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. An array of conditions, varying in seriousness and permanency, can cause local or generalized muscle atrophy. Lack of exercise proves a common cause of reversible muscle atrophy in an increasingly sedentary population. Immobility due to injury is another common cause of reversible muscle atrophy. Diseases and medical conditions associated with muscle atrophy include arthritis, alcoholism, peripheral neuropathy, inflammatory muscle disorders, spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy, stroke and severe malnutrition, reports the National Library of Medicine encyclopedia MedlinePlus.
Walking Problems
Weakness of the foot and leg muscles, which invariably develop with ALS, leads to walking difficulties. Stumbling and falling commonly occur in the initial stages of ALS, reports New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Other diseases and disorders associated with nerve or muscle-related walking problems include Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, peripheral neuropathy, stroke, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Huntington's disease and spinal muscular atrophy.
Speech and Swallowing Problems
Patients with ALS develop speech and swallowing problems as the motor neurons that control these functions die, explains the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Speech and swallowing difficulties also occur with other diseases that interfere with the control of the involved muscles, including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, stroke, muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, myasthenia gravis and multiple sclerosis.
References
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- The ALS Association: Initial Symptoms of the Disease
- The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Motor Neuron Disorders
- MedlinePlus: Muscle Atrophy
- New York-Presbyterian Hospital: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
