Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFirst Signs of ALSDiagnosisAfter DiagnosisFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
First Signs of ALS
Diagnosis
After Diagnosis
Frequently Asked Questions
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) affects the motor neurons (nerve cells) that control voluntary movement. The early symptoms of ALS tend to affect your extremities or sometimes your breathing andeating. Over time, movement, speech, chewing and swallowing, and breathing are affected.
This article discusses nine early signs of ALS and what happens after a person is diagnosed with the condition.
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The early signs of ALS appear when muscles start to weaken, and they can vary from person to person. Initially, the signs can be so slight they are not noticeable. They may affect one or several parts of the body.
In many people, the first signs appear in the arms and legs, which is called limb onset. In about one-third of people with ALS, symptoms begin with speech or swallowing difficulties, called bulbar onset.
Early signs typically include:
How to Confirm Suspected ALS
ALS is a difficult disease to diagnose. There is no specific test to confirm it. Healthcare providers reach adiagnosisthrough a series of tests and examinations, including:
Since ALS is a progressive disease, healthcare providers can compare muscle strength and motor ability over time, which can also help lead to a diagnosis.
Should I Get Genetic Testing for ALS?Only about 10% of ALS cases are hereditary.If you have ALS, you can get a genetic test to determine if you have a hereditary form, which may tell you something about how it may progress and how likely it is that your children may get it.If you have a family member with ALS, the choice to be tested is personal—it’s up to you. Often, people who pursue a genetic test will be required to have a neurological exam, a psychological assessment, and genetic counseling beforehand.
Should I Get Genetic Testing for ALS?
Only about 10% of ALS cases are hereditary.If you have ALS, you can get a genetic test to determine if you have a hereditary form, which may tell you something about how it may progress and how likely it is that your children may get it.If you have a family member with ALS, the choice to be tested is personal—it’s up to you. Often, people who pursue a genetic test will be required to have a neurological exam, a psychological assessment, and genetic counseling beforehand.
Only about 10% of ALS cases are hereditary.If you have ALS, you can get a genetic test to determine if you have a hereditary form, which may tell you something about how it may progress and how likely it is that your children may get it.
If you have a family member with ALS, the choice to be tested is personal—it’s up to you. Often, people who pursue a genetic test will be required to have a neurological exam, a psychological assessment, and genetic counseling beforehand.
What Happens After Diagnosis
The path of ALSvariesfrom person to person, though it is a progressive disease that eventually affects life-sustaining abilities. ALS is a terminal diagnosis (cannot be cured and will lead to death), but up to 10% of people stabilize after a while, and their symptoms don’t worsen for as long as 10 or 20 years.
Take the time to learn about ALS, understand what kinds of decisions you need to make for yourself and your family, and consider looking for a support group.
If you want a second opinion, look for a clinic or center that specializes in ALS. Stay abreast of research and clinical trials that are actively looking for effective treatments. Though there is no cure at this time, there are newmedicationsavailable that may slow the progression of ALS to a limited degree.
Specialists can suggest exercise regimens, assistive and communication devices when needed, do home assessments to facilitate daily activities, and help with eating and breathing support when necessary.
ALS Support Groups for Patients and Caregivers
Summary
ALS is a disease that makes your muscles weaken over time, including your arms and legs and the muscles you use to eat and breathe. Early signs include clumsiness, dropping things, and tripping or stumbling due to weakness in the arms and legs. Fewer people have difficulty with speech or breathing as early signs of ALS.
Most cases of ALS are not hereditary, but there are genetic tests available for people who choose to have them if ALS runs in their family or they have the condition and want to know which form they have.
A Word From Verywell
ALS is a devastating diagnosis, but there are real signs of hope coming from research into new treatments. Recently, new medications have been approved that can have some effect in slowing disease progression. There are other potential treatments on the horizon, including stem cell therapies.
ALS almost always occurs in adults. Symptoms tend to begin in people between 55 and 75 years old.Learn MoreCauses and Risk Factors of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
ALS almost always occurs in adults. Symptoms tend to begin in people between 55 and 75 years old.
Learn MoreCauses and Risk Factors of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Learn MoreSymptoms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
ALS is not easy to diagnose, and it can take up to a year to confirm it.Sometimes, healthcare providers have to follow up with the person to see if their symptoms worsen, which can help confirm the diagnosis. There are also tests and imaging studies that can help rule ALS out or in.Learn MoreWhat Are Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Stages?
ALS is not easy to diagnose, and it can take up to a year to confirm it.Sometimes, healthcare providers have to follow up with the person to see if their symptoms worsen, which can help confirm the diagnosis. There are also tests and imaging studies that can help rule ALS out or in.
Learn MoreWhat Are Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Stages?
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Organization of Rare Diseases.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).Massachusetts General Hospital.Diagnosing ALS.Oggiano R, Pisano A, Sabalic A, et al.An overview on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and cadmium.Neurol Sci.2021;42(2):531-537. doi:10.1007/s10072-020-04957-7.MedlinePlus.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.ALS Association.FYI: reasons for living with ALS.Yale Medicine.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).Lin TJ, Cheng GC, Wu LY, et al.Potential of cellular therapy for ALS: current strategies and future prospects.Front Cell Dev Biol. 2022;10:851613. doi:10.3389/fcell.2022.851613ALS Curtis Vance Foundation.Do ALS symptoms come and go?ALS Foundation.Obtaining an ALS diagnosis.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Organization of Rare Diseases.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).Massachusetts General Hospital.Diagnosing ALS.Oggiano R, Pisano A, Sabalic A, et al.An overview on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and cadmium.Neurol Sci.2021;42(2):531-537. doi:10.1007/s10072-020-04957-7.MedlinePlus.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.ALS Association.FYI: reasons for living with ALS.Yale Medicine.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).Lin TJ, Cheng GC, Wu LY, et al.Potential of cellular therapy for ALS: current strategies and future prospects.Front Cell Dev Biol. 2022;10:851613. doi:10.3389/fcell.2022.851613ALS Curtis Vance Foundation.Do ALS symptoms come and go?ALS Foundation.Obtaining an ALS diagnosis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Organization of Rare Diseases.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).Massachusetts General Hospital.Diagnosing ALS.Oggiano R, Pisano A, Sabalic A, et al.An overview on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and cadmium.Neurol Sci.2021;42(2):531-537. doi:10.1007/s10072-020-04957-7.MedlinePlus.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.ALS Association.FYI: reasons for living with ALS.Yale Medicine.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).Lin TJ, Cheng GC, Wu LY, et al.Potential of cellular therapy for ALS: current strategies and future prospects.Front Cell Dev Biol. 2022;10:851613. doi:10.3389/fcell.2022.851613ALS Curtis Vance Foundation.Do ALS symptoms come and go?ALS Foundation.Obtaining an ALS diagnosis.
National Organization of Rare Diseases.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Massachusetts General Hospital.Diagnosing ALS.
Oggiano R, Pisano A, Sabalic A, et al.An overview on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and cadmium.Neurol Sci.2021;42(2):531-537. doi:10.1007/s10072-020-04957-7.
MedlinePlus.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
ALS Association.FYI: reasons for living with ALS.
Yale Medicine.Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Lin TJ, Cheng GC, Wu LY, et al.Potential of cellular therapy for ALS: current strategies and future prospects.Front Cell Dev Biol. 2022;10:851613. doi:10.3389/fcell.2022.851613
ALS Curtis Vance Foundation.Do ALS symptoms come and go?
ALS Foundation.Obtaining an ALS diagnosis.
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