Warning Signs Of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Weakness In Hands And Feet

The twitching and cramping normally first occur in the hands and feet. The muscles in the hands and feet become stiff and weak. This occurs in sixty percent of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. They have issues in lifting, completing daily tasks, such as buttoning shirts and walking. Patients have also developed swelling of the hands and feet, caused by the lack of muscle movement. Without muscle movement, the veins cannot carry blood and fluids back to the heart. Elevating the feet and arms above the heart and resting can treat the swelling. This can also be treated with a gentle massage with lotion on the hands and feet.

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Trouble Swallowing And Chewing

An individual experiencing trouble swallowing and chewing may be affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The nerves become progressively damaged by this disease, and twenty to twenty-five percent of affected individuals experience their first symptoms in their upper body and head region. When lower motor neuron (LMN) is affected, the individual can experience problems with moving their tongue. The damaged nerves are unable to properly send signals to the tongue to tell it to move in the fashion required for an individual to swallow. When an individual drinks fluids, they have to utilize the greatest oropharyngeal muscle control. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients have the most difficulty with swallowing liquids as a result of this mechanism. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can damage the nerves responsible for controlling the temporalis, medial pterygoid, lateral pterygoid, and masseter muscles. These muscles function to move the jaw when performing actions like chewing. While the nerves that control sensation in the jaw and tongue are unaffected, the motor nerves that tell the muscles to contract can become extensively damaged.

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