Lou Gehrig’s disease is another name for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive condition that affects the nerve cells controlling muscles.
There is no single “first symptom” for everyone, but early signs usually start subtly and worsen over time.
🧠 Early symptoms of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
1. Muscle weakness (most common early sign)
- Trouble lifting objects
- Weak grip (dropping things often)
- Weakness in one hand, arm, or leg
2. Muscle twitching (fasciculations)
- Small involuntary muscle jerks
- Often in arms, legs, or tongue
3. Clumsiness or tripping
- Frequent stumbling
- Difficulty walking steadily
4. Slurred speech
- Speech becomes slow or unclear
- Others may notice it before the person does
5. Difficulty swallowing
- Food feels stuck
- Coughing while eating or drinking
6. Muscle cramps and stiffness
- Tight or painful muscles
- Especially in hands and legs
7. Fatigue in muscles
- Muscles tire quickly even with simple tasks
