Signs and symptoms
... Signs of ALS are typically subtle at first. The disease commonly begins in one part of the body and progresses slowly. Gradual death of nerve cells saps muscles of their control. Early signs and sympt...

Causes
... The basic units of your central nervous system — which includes your brain and spinal cord — are nerve cells (neurons). Each neuron consists of a cell body, a major branching fiber (axon) ...

Risk factors
... Although most cases of ALS have no apparent cause, about 10 percent of people who have ALS inherit it. Inherited ALS may strike at a younger age and will affect consecutive generations. If you''re the...

When to seek medical advice
... If you''ve noticed weakness in one of your limbs or twitching and cramping in your muscles, see your doctor to determine if there may be a neurological cause such as ALS. Although there''s no treatmen...

Screening and diagnosis
... ALS is difficult to diagnose early because it may appear similar to other neurological diseases. Your doctor may refer you to a doctor who specializes in brain and nervous system disorders (neurologis...