Symptoms
Symptoms include:
- Progressive weakness in arms and legs (at first often on only one side) over weeks to months without changes in sensory abilities.
- Initial presentation may be a wrist or foot drop
- Trouble holding things without dropping them
- Frequent tripping while walking
- Shrunken muscles
- Twitchy muscles
- Unpredictable changing emotions
- Clumsiness
- Overactive reflexes
- Slurred speech
- Hoarseness
- Trouble chewing and swallowing, resulting in frequent choking and gagging
- Weight loss due to trouble eating
- Trouble breathing
- Excess salivation, drooling
- Cognition is intact
- Sensation is intact
- Trouble coughing, resulting in development of pneumonia
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. There are no tests that definitively diagnose ALS, but tests may be used to rule out other medical conditions.
Tests may include:
- Electromyogram (EMG) —to look for progressive muscle weakness and twitching
- CT Scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of the structures inside the head
- MRI Scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of the structures inside the head
- Blood tests—to rule out metabolic, heavy metal exposure, or rarely infections such as lyme disease or HIV
- Lumbar puncture —a procedure to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)
- Urine tests
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2024 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.