Early symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Disease description:
Recently, I have been experiencing frequent muscle cramps and spasms. With the recent news about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), I am worried that I might have this condition. I would like to ask the doctor: What are the early symptoms of ALS?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Huang Shichang
The early symptoms of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) mainly include:
1. Muscle weakness and atrophy: Patients may experience muscle weakness, especially in the arms, legs, neck, and face, with these muscles gradually wasting away.
2. Muscle spasms and twitching: Loss of nerve cells may lead to abnormal excitability at the neuromuscular junction, causing excessive muscle contractions manifested as spasms and twitching.
3. Difficulty speaking and swallowing: ALS may initially affect the muscles of the mouth and throat, leading to slurred speech, difficulty speaking, and trouble swallowing.
4. Impaired motor coordination: Patients may feel unsteady or clumsy during walking, running, or other daily activities, and hand coordination may also be affected.
If similar symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation for professional diagnosis and treatment.
