Lou Gehrig Disease Symptoms

If you suspect that you might be suffering from a neurodegenerative and progressive disorder, it is important that you research Lou Gehrig Disease symptoms. Lou Gehrig's Disease is known more commonly as Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The disease is characterized by the damage of the spinal cord and brain's motor neurons. The name "Lou Gehrig" comes from the American baseball great who suffered from the disease in the 1930s.

1. Problems with swallowing and breathing are extremely common with sufferers of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. These symptoms include having a hard time swallowing and breathing properly, gagging, drooling and choking very easily. The muscles that are involved in these processes are generally among the first affected by the disease.
2. Decreased muscle strength and coordination are also prominent symptoms of the disease. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis leads to many problems involving the muscles, such as muscle cramps and muscle contractions (also called fasticulations). With the disorder, the muscles progressively and gradually becoming weaker and weaker. The problems tend to start on just one side of the body. As the condition gets worse, normal daily tasks become increasingly difficult or impossible, like walking down the street, going upstairs and problems with lifting objects. The neck muscles becoming weaker can also cause symptoms such as head droop, as the neck muscles lose the ability to support themselves. Foot drop is also common, which entails having problems lifting up the toes and feet.
3. Atrophy also occurs for many people with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Atrophy is a term that describes the literal wasting away of muscle tissue or a body organ. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can bring upon tongue atrophy, as well as atrophy of the hand muscles.
4. Hand motions are also often affected by the disease. With Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, delicate hand gestures and motions become significantly more difficult, including writing with a pencil, buttoning up a blouse and opening a locked door.
5. Issues with talking are also common. The condition often causes speech problems, such as word slurring, unusual speech patterns and abnormally slow speech. Hoarseness of the voice is also possible. Some people also might experience actually changes in their voices.

Most people with the disorder do not have any signs until they are least 50 years of age. However, in some cases, the symptoms can show up sooner. Be on the lookout for the earliest and most subtle symptoms, including muscle stiffness, twitching and chewing and swallowing difficulties. If you suspect that you have Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, consult your doctor immediately.