Health Topics A-Z

What Are the Symptoms?

In the early stages:

• increasing weakness in one limb, especially in a hand.
• difficulty walking; clumsiness with the hands; impaired speech.

As the disease progresses:

• weakening of other limbs, perhaps accompanied by twitching, muscle cramping, and exaggerated, faster reflexes.
• problems with chewing, swallowing, and breathing; drooling may occur.
• fasciculations, which are subtle, light twitches under the skin.
• eventual paralysis.

Call Your Doctor If:

You have any of the above symptoms; this disease requires professional medical care.