How long can you have ALS without knowing? Can you have ALS for years without knowing?

While there is no typical timeframe, it is possible for some individuals to have ALS for a period of time before receiving a definitive diagnosis.

It takes on average about nine to 12 months for someone to be diagnosed with ALS, from the time they first began to notice symptoms. However, ALS always worsens and tends to worsen quickly over the course of months, leading to severe disability within one to two years.

The treatment of ALS aims to slow down the disease progression, prevent complications, and improve the quality of life of people living with ALS.

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.

The diagnosis of ALS is based on the signs and symptoms of upper and lower motor neuron degeneration, as well as tests to rule out other conditions.