However, it is well known that most ALS patients will die due to respiratory failure, which refers to the inability of patients to breathe. Patients with ALS develop respiratory failure due to the loss of nerve cells that control the muscles that are responsible for controlling breathing.
What are the symptoms of ALS? The onset of ALS often involves muscle weakness or stiffness as early symptoms. Progression of weakness, wasting, and paralysis of the muscles of the limbs and trunk, as well as those that control vital functions such as speech, swallowing, and breathing, generally follows.
What happens to the body when ALS spreads? ALS often starts in the hands, feet or limbs, and then spreads to other parts of your body. As the disease advances and nerve cells are destroyed, your muscles get weaker. This eventually affects chewing, swallowing, speaking and breathing.
What is the connection between ALS and speech loss? The most immediate issue with ALS and speech loss is the development of a condition called dysarthria. This happens when the muscles used for vocalization weaken and reduce the ability to articulate words properly.
What are the stages of progression of ALS? Examples of voluntary muscle movement include chewing, walking, talking and breathing. Patients may not experience the same symptoms and, for some, the disease progresses more slowly than others. ALS cannot be cured, but treatments do exist. In general, ALS progression may be divided into three distinct stages: early, middle, and late.
why am i losing so much weight
- Type I And II Diabetes. Yes, unexpected weight loss can in fact be a result of diabetes—both types. “The body is not able to gain energy from food because glucose is not able to get to the cells, and usually urinated out by the patient instead of absorbed,” explains Holly F. Lofton, MD, director of medical weight management at NYU Langone hospital.
- Hyperthyroidism. At times, sudden weight loss can also be caused by hyperthyroidism (or Grave’s Disease) , a hormonal condition that can trigger metabolism issues such as overproduction of the thyroid hormone, Dr. Lofton says.
- Cancer. Many cancers can cause weight loss because “cancer increases inflammation,” Zellner says. “This promotes muscle wasting and disrupts appetite-regulating hormones, and a growing tumor may also increase your resting energy expenditure,” she says.
- Parasites. “If you’ve traveled, especially internationally recently, you may be harboring a parasite,” says Zellner. (Two common ones are giardia and cryptosporidium.)
- Depression. Depression, for some people, can actually cause a reduction in appetite, Zellner says. “And it can impact hormones like ghrelin, which is our hunger and satiation hormone.”
- Anxiety. While depression is one mental health issue that can result in unexpected weight loss, so is anxiety. An increase in anxiousness can cause an onslaught of health issues, Dr. Lofton says, including refraining from eating, appetite reduction, vomiting, and more—all of which can result in a loss of unexpected weight.
- Muscle Loss. Sometimes losing unexpected weight is a result of muscle reduction as opposed to a loss of fat, which is something that can cause a bunch of problems for your health.
- Addison’s Disease. An issue related to your adrenal glands, Addison’s disease, also called hypocortisolism, is another issue that can bring about unexpected weight loss, Dr. Zhang says.
- Medication Side Effects. If you experience unexpected weight loss, it’s also important for you to double check the side effects of your various medications.
- Celiac Disease. The early aughts of celiac disease are often associated with a rapid decrease in weight, Dr. Lofton says. One aspect of celiac disease is that your body has a more difficult time absorbing nutrients which, in turn, can lead to malnutrition.
Why am I having such a hard time loosing weight? Overcoming weight loss challenges
Why did I suddenly gain so much weight? Weight gain and fluctuations in weight can happen for a variety of reasons. Many people progressively gain weight as they age or make changes to their lifestyle. However, fast weight gain can be a sign of an underlying health condition, such as a problem with the thyroid, kidneys, or heart.
What is the best diet for quick weight loss? These are the diets that work fast
What’s the quickest way to lose weight? How to Lose Weight Fast: 3 Simple Steps, Based on Science
What are the symptoms of ALS?
Symptoms If you or someone you know is exhibiting symptoms of Lou Gehrig’s disease, seek medical attention immediately.
Symptoms of Lou Gehrig’s disease are:
- Weakness in your leg, feet or ankles
- Difficulty walking or doing your normal daily activities
- Hand Weakness or clumsiness
- Slurred speech or trouble swallowing
- Muscle cramps and twitching in your arms, shoulders, and tongue
- Difficulty holding your head up or keeping good posture
- Tripping and falling
CausesCauses
- In most cases of Lou Gehrig’s disease, the cause is unknown. Suggested (but unproven) causes include:-
- Gene mutations: Mutations in the DNA can lead to Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Protein mishandling
- Autoimmune reactions
- Possibly exposure to unknown environmental triggers
- The risk factors include:
- Heredity
- Age – people with age of 40 to 60 years are at higher risk
- Gender – men are more prone to develop Lou Gehrig’s disease
ComplicationsComplications
The complications of ALS include:
- Memory loss (dementia)
- Difficulty in swallowing, leading to malnutrition, aspiration, and pneumonia (lung infection)
- Difficulty in breathing, necessitating a tracheostomy; a procedure in which a hole is created in front of the neck to help with breathing
- Weight loss
Common treatment optionsDiet recommendationsHow is this diagnosed?Source: Focus Medica . For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice. Was this helpful?What were your first signs of ALS? The early onset of ALS is often very subtle – these are the first Symptoms of ALS to watch for:
- twitching and cramping of the muscles, especially those in the hands and feet
- muscle weakness in the arms or legs
- loss of motor control in the arms or legs
- general weakness and fatigue
- tripping and falling
- dropping things
- slurred or thick speech
- difficulty chewing or swallowing
- uncontrollable periods of laughing or crying
What is usually the first sign of ALS? The first sign of ALS usually appears in the hand or arm and can show as difficulty with simple tasks such as buttoning a shirt, writing, or turning a key in a lock. In other cases, symptoms initially affect one leg. People experience awkwardness when walking or running, or they may trip or stumble more often.
What are the possible causes of ALS? Risk factors
- Smoking. Smoking is the only likely environmental risk factor for ALS.
- Environmental toxin exposure. Some evidence suggests that exposure to lead or other substances in the workplace or at home might be linked to ALS.
- Military service. Studies indicate that people who have served in the military are at higher risk of ALS.
What are the earliest signs of ALS? What are the early signs of ALS?
- Muscle Twitching
- Weakness
- In some forms of ALS, slurred speech is common
- Brisk reflexes
- Muscle spasms
- Clumsiness
- Weight loss
Symptoms If you or someone you know is exhibiting symptoms of Lou Gehrig’s disease, seek medical attention immediately.
Symptoms of Lou Gehrig’s disease are:
- Weakness in your leg, feet or ankles
- Difficulty walking or doing your normal daily activities
- Hand Weakness or clumsiness
- Slurred speech or trouble swallowing
- Muscle cramps and twitching in your arms, shoulders, and tongue
- Difficulty holding your head up or keeping good posture
- Tripping and falling
CausesCauses
- In most cases of Lou Gehrig’s disease, the cause is unknown. Suggested (but unproven) causes include:-
- Gene mutations: Mutations in the DNA can lead to Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Protein mishandling
- Autoimmune reactions
- Possibly exposure to unknown environmental triggers
- The risk factors include:
- Heredity
- Age – people with age of 40 to 60 years are at higher risk
- Gender – men are more prone to develop Lou Gehrig’s disease
ComplicationsComplications
The complications of ALS include:
- Memory loss (dementia)
- Difficulty in swallowing, leading to malnutrition, aspiration, and pneumonia (lung infection)
- Difficulty in breathing, necessitating a tracheostomy; a procedure in which a hole is created in front of the neck to help with breathing
- Weight loss
Common treatment optionsDiet recommendationsHow is this diagnosed?Source: Focus Medica . For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice. Was this helpful?What were your first signs of ALS? The early onset of ALS is often very subtle – these are the first Symptoms of ALS to watch for:
- twitching and cramping of the muscles, especially those in the hands and feet
- muscle weakness in the arms or legs
- loss of motor control in the arms or legs
- general weakness and fatigue
- tripping and falling
- dropping things
- slurred or thick speech
- difficulty chewing or swallowing
- uncontrollable periods of laughing or crying
What is usually the first sign of ALS? The first sign of ALS usually appears in the hand or arm and can show as difficulty with simple tasks such as buttoning a shirt, writing, or turning a key in a lock. In other cases, symptoms initially affect one leg. People experience awkwardness when walking or running, or they may trip or stumble more often.
What are the possible causes of ALS? Risk factors
- Smoking. Smoking is the only likely environmental risk factor for ALS.
- Environmental toxin exposure. Some evidence suggests that exposure to lead or other substances in the workplace or at home might be linked to ALS.
- Military service. Studies indicate that people who have served in the military are at higher risk of ALS.
What are the earliest signs of ALS? What are the early signs of ALS?
- Muscle Twitching
- Weakness
- In some forms of ALS, slurred speech is common
- Brisk reflexes
- Muscle spasms
- Clumsiness
- Weight loss