Progression of ALS Symptoms

ALS symptoms are initially so mild that they are usually overlooked. Progression of ALS symptoms may vary from person to person. Read on to know what is ALS disease and progression of ALS symptoms…

ALS is the short form used to describe amyotrophic lateral sclerosis which is also known as motor neuron disease (MND) or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Let us first take a look at what is ALS disease, before discussing progression of ALS symptoms.

What is ALS Disease?

Amyotrophic means ‘no muscle nourishment’. Due to lack of nourishment, a muscle atrophies (withers or wastes away). The word ‘lateral’ describes the location. Degeneration of the particular areas in a person’s spinal cord is the significant cause of ALS. Important portions of the nerve cells that signal and control the muscles are located in the affected or degenerating area. Degeneration of this area results in scarring (hardening) and is therefore referred to as sclerosis.

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. We all know that motor neurons carry signals from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. In ALS, the nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord are affected. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons ultimately ends in the death of the neurons. As a result, the brain is not able to initiate and control muscle movement. In the initial stages, progressive muscle weakness is usually experienced while in the later stages of the disease, patients may become totally paralyzed. It is assumed that mutations in the genes, elevated levels of glutamate in the serum and spinal fluid (reason behind this is not yet known) and autoimmune responses (the body’s immune system itself starts destroying its healthy cells) can lead to ALS.

ALS disease facts

inform us that ALS symptoms is 20% more common in men than ALS symptoms in women and that 15 new cases of ALS are detected everyday in the U.S. It has been noticed that 93% of patients in the ALS CARE database are Caucasian. But more research is needed to determine what genetics and/or environment factors are responsible for the development of ALS. Here is the required information regarding progression of ALS signs.

Progression of ALS Symptoms Early ALS symptoms are usually overlooked. The initial symptoms of ALS are hardly noticed. They may vary from person to person. It can be tripping over carpet edges or it can be trouble lifting grocery bags or it can be even slurred speech. The rate of progression of ALS symptoms also varies from patient to patient. In very few people, ALS is known to remit or halt its progression. Researchers are trying their best to find out as to how and why this happens. Regarding the progression of ALS symptoms, the following stages can be noticed:

• Initially, ALS disease symptoms may be as simple as muscle weakness in one or both hands, arms, legs.
• Then gradually, the person might notice weakness in the muscles that help to speak, and slurred speech is experienced.
• It is generally followed by difficulty in swallowing or breathing.
• Twitching (fasciculation) and cramping of muscles, particularly in the hands and feet is experienced.
• Losing the ability to use arms and legs; and difficulty in projecting the voice are the symptoms noticed in advanced stage of ALS.
• Emotional incontinence can be noticed which is described as a condition wherein the person is not able to control his emotions like laughing and crying.
• In the end, the patient has no control at all, over his voluntary movements and has to stay bedridden.
• Some of the advanced symptoms of ALS are shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing and swallowing.
• Eventually, permanent ventilator support is required in order to survive.
• Progression of ALS infection, especially, pulmonary infection leading to pneumonia indicates the last stage of ALS that is likely to lead to death if left untreated.

It should be kept in mind that all patients of ALS will not experience the same sequences or pattern of progression of ALS symptoms. And all patients of ALS may not experience the same symptoms also. But, progressive muscle weakness and paralysis are common symptoms. Though no treatment can halt or reverse ALS today, there is one FDA approved drug, riluzole, that has shown some positive results regarding slowing down the progression of ALS. Several other drugs are being tested and soon, they will be made available in markets. According to the statistics, 50% of ALS patients live at least for three or more years after diagnosis. About 20% patients live for five years or more; and up to 10% live more than ten years. It has been noticed that people with ALS are living longer, the credit goes to clinical management interventions, riluzole and some other compounds and drugs under investigation. The example of Stephen Hawking, the pioneering astrophysicist who has survived ALS for over 40 years is really a motivating example.