Amyotrophic lateral sclerosisFrom our partner site on chronic pain, ChronicPainConnection.com.
Lou Gehrig's disease; ALS Symptoms: Symptoms usually do not develop until after age 50. Progressive loss of muscle strength and coordination eventually interfere with the ability to perform routine activities, such as going up steps, getting out of a chair, or swallowing. Occasionally, breathing or swallowing muscles may be the first to be affected. advertisement As the disease progresses, more muscle groups are affected and patients become progressively incapacitated. There is no effect on the ability to think or reason. Symptoms include:
Signs and tests: A neuromuscular examination indicates weakness, often beginning in one limb or area (such as shoulders or hips). There may be muscle tremors, spasms, twitching, or muscle atrophy (loss of tissue). Atrophy and twitching of the tongue are common. The gait may be stiff or clumsy. Reflexes may be abnormal, including loss of the gag reflex. Some patients have "emotional incontinence" in which it is hard to control crying or laughing.
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