How did you first know you had ALS? How do I know I don’t have ALS?

ALS results in weakened muscles and deformity. The early symptoms of ALS tend to affect your extremities or sometimes your breathing and eating.

The early signs of ALS appear when muscles start to weaken, and they can vary from person to person. In many people, the first signs appear in the arms and legs, which is called limb onset.

Diagnosing ALS requires expert attention and the doctor may often do tests to rule out other conditions. Blood tests can also be done to rule out conditions that may have symptoms similar to ALS.

ALS primarily targets motor neurons, the nerve cells responsible for transmitting signals from the brain to muscles throughout the body. The exact cause of ALS is unknown, but about 10% of cases are inherited, while the rest are sporadic.

Research suggests a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors involved in the occurrence of ALS. ALS can affect any part of the body, but it often starts in the hands, feet, arms, or legs.