What are the early symptoms of ALS?

Gradual onset, generally painless, progressive muscle weakness is the most common initial symptom in ALS. Other early symptoms vary but can include tripping, dropping things, abnormal fatigue of the arms and/or legs, slurred speech, muscle cramps and twitches, and/or uncontrollable periods of laughing or crying. read more

Since ALS attacks only motor neurons, the sense of sight, touch, hearing, taste and smell are not affected. For many people, muscles of the eyes and bladder are generally not affected. Diagnosis. ALS is a difficult disease to diagnose. There is no one test or procedure to ultimately establish the diagnosis of ALS. read more

Miller RG, et al. Practice parameter update: The care of the patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Multidisciplinary care, symptom management, and cognitive/behavioral impairment (an evidence-based review): Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. read more

When symptoms begin in the arms or legs, it is referred to as “limb onset” ALS/MND. Other individuals first notice changes in voice and speech, spasms in muscles of the jaw, face, voice box, throat and tongue, and inappropriate excessive laughing and crying, all of which suggest “bulbar onset” ALS/MND. read more