Explain the clinical manifestations of ALS.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Classic signs and symptoms of ALS include asymmetric muscle weakness and atrophy, hyperreflexia (hyper-stiffening of the muscles), and fasciculations (uncontrolled twitching of the muscles). The manner in which these signs and symptoms manifest in the patient depend on the area of neuron destruction. There may be difficulty with gross motor actions such as walking, or in fine motor actions such as grasping an object. Swallowing and chewing skills decline as the neurons controlling these skills weaken. As the disease progresses, the extensive muscle atrophy leads to increasing paralysis, requiring mechanical ventilation and nutrition support.