Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease that leads to the destruction of the neurons (nerve cells) responsible for voluntary muscle movement. This condition, which is also called Lou Gehrig 's disease, is diagnosed in approximately 5,600 people in the United States each year, based upon estimates provided by the ALS Association. Symptoms of ALS typically begin to develop in people between 40 and 70 years of age.
Muscle Weakness
The primary symptom of ALS is muscle weakness, which is estimated to occur in approximately 60 percent of patients, reports the ALS Association. Symptoms of muscle weakness can include abnormal fatigue within the limbs or muscle twitching, pain or cramping. You may begin to notice that you trip or stumble more frequently while walking or running. Muscle weakness can also make it difficult to perform normal tasks, such as brushing your teeth or getting dressed. Certain people experience episodes of uncontrollable crying or laughing as a result of ALS.
Muscle weakness due to ALS typically begins in the feet or legs, which can interfere with your ability to walk. As the disease progresses, ALS patients become paralyzed and need to use a wheelchair.
Breathing Difficulties
The nerve cells within the diaphragm, which helps you inhale and exhale normally, can become damaged due to ALS. When this occurs, ALS patients begin to develop breathing difficulties. Initially, symptoms of breathing difficulties can include coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath. As the disease progresses, patients with ALS will be unable to breathe on their own and will require the use of an external ventilator to keep oxygen flowing through the body. Respiratory failure is the most common cause of death in patients with ALS.
Speech Impairment
As this disease progresses, ALS can cause the deterioration of nerves within the mouth or tongue. Patients with ALS can develop difficulty moving the mouth or tongue, which can interfere with the ability to eat or speak normally. You may notice that your speech begins to slur or that you have difficulty pronouncing certain words. Your speech may begin to sound nasally or you may begin to speak very softly, making it difficult for others to understand what you are saying.
Difficulty Eating
Nerve deterioration within the mouth can also impact your ability to chew and swallow, which can cause you to be more susceptible to choking. As this disease progresses, ALS patients will be unable to eat food normally and will require a feeding tube to ensure that the patient receives adequate nutrition. Patients can also experience a significant decrease in weight due to eating difficulties associated with ALS.
