Symptoms of ALS

The first symptoms of Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) may be difficult to spot. Early symptoms may be dismissed as nothing more than a twitch or a cramp. A patient may have stiff muscles or a weakness in one arm or leg. A health care provider may not suspect ALS until after these symptoms develop into a more obvious weakness or atrophy (wasting away of muscle mass).

Where ALS first affects the body depends on the individual. For some, it may be in a leg that causes awkwardness in running or walking. In others, it may be an arm that weakens and loses its ability to do simple tasks. Some people notice speech problems first.

Regardless where ALS first strikes, muscle weakness and atrophy will spread to other parts of the body, bringing more symptoms as the disease progresses. Learn more about common symptoms, including:

Weak muscles
Twitching
Speech problems
Breathing problems
Swallowing difficulties
Other symptoms

Patients must have signs and symptoms of both upper and lower motor neuron damage that cannot be attributed to other causes in order to be diagnosed with ALS (see ALS Diagnosis).