What are the first signs of 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

ALS is a difficult disease to diagnose. There is no one test or procedure to ultimately establish the diagnosis of ALS. It is through a clinical examination and series of diagnostic tests, often ruling out other diseases that mimic ALS, that a diagnosis can be established. read more

No single test can provide a definitive diagnosis of ALS/MND, although the presence of both upper and lower motor neuron signs is strongly suggestive. Instead, the diagnosis of ALS/MND is primarily based on the symptoms and signs the physician observes in the patient and a series of tests to rule out other diseases. read more

ALS stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This condition is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that ultimately damages the nerve cells in both the spinal cord and the brain, meaning that over time, an individual loses their ability to control their body. read more

Gradual onset, 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

One of the first signs that you might have ALS will be twitching. The twitching occurs as a result of cells in the spinal cord and the brain not being able to transmit signals properly, resulting in some parts of the body beginning to twitch. read more