Description
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) is a disease associated with the death of motor neurons that control voluntary muscles. Some also use the term motor neuron disease for a group of conditions of which ALS is the most common. ALS is characterized by stiff muscles, muscle twitching, and gradually worsening weakness due to muscles decreasing in size. It may begin with weakness in the arms or legs, or with difficulty speaking or swallowing. About half of the people affected develop at least mild thinking and behavioural difficulties. Many people experience pain.
Mitogen’s High-Sensitivity Neurofilament Test is an important diagnostic test to aid in the diagnosis of ALS.
Symptoms
- Fasciculations (muscle twitches) in the arm, leg, shoulder, or tongue
- Muscle cramps
- Tight and stiff muscles (spasticity)
- Muscle weakness affecting an arm, a leg, neck or diaphragm
- Slurred and nasal speech
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing