Causes/Symptoms

 The causes of ALS are still being researched, though it is thought that about 5-10% are inherited. Leading ideas of causes center around the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. The disease affects the motor neurons with in the primary motor cortex as well as the brainstem, resulting in the symptoms that are described below. Beginning symptoms are muscle twitching and/or weakness in limbs as well as slurring of speech. Eventually this progresses by affected motor control for movement, speech, eating, and breathing. List of symptoms below. 

• Difficulty walking or doing normal daily activities

• Tripping and falling

• Weakness in your legs, feet or ankles

• Hand weakness or clumsiness

• Slurred speech or trouble swallowing

• Muscle cramps and twitching in your arms, shoulders and tongue

• Inappropriate crying, laughing or yawning

• Cognitive and behavioral changes

• Risk factors include hereditary factors. While age seems to be the greatest risk factor as it is most common between the ages of 40 to the mid 60’s