What is ALS? | Symptoms and Treatment

ALS is a rapidly progressive degenerative neuromuscular disease with an unknown origin. Now, the main areas of involvement are the motor neurons of the brain and of the spinal cord. Now, typically the first symptom people present with ALS is difficulty swallowing. Another symptom people can present with is distal weakness. As the disease progresses, there will typically be weakness in the upper and lower neurons. Now, typically death usually results from respiratory distress. This happens because of weakness in the diaphragm. Two of the biggest concerns with ALS are nourishment and communication. This happens because of loss of motility in the tongue, and these two things can impede communication which are big concerns.