6 Signs You Don’t Have ALS – What Your Symptoms Might Really Mean

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also called Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that impacts nerve cells responsible for controlling muscle movement. If you have found yourself searching for the ALS symptoms on Google and worrying over it, you're not alone. Random muscle aches, twitches, and unusual body sensations can be bothersome, but they are not typically the signs of something severe. Explore our blog and learn about signs you don't have ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) to get peace of mind.

6 Reassuring Signs You Likely Don’t Have ALS

Look for these common signs that don’t match ALS or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis:

1. You Experience Tingling or Numbness

• Though tingling or numb sensations can be alarming, they are rarely the signs of ALS.
• These symptoms are more often linked to problems such as anxiety, vitamin deficiencies, or a pinched nerve, and not to any motor neuron disease.

2. You Have Muscle Twitching Without Weakness

• In ALS, muscle twitches are not just twitches but are also accompanied by muscle weakness, loss of function, and shrinking.
• However, they can also occur due to other factors, such as nerve damage, stress, dehydration, infections, or metabolic issues. 

3. You’re Not Losing Strength in Your Limbs

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) leads to progressive (continuous) weakness, usually in one limb, foot, and hand.
• If you can walk normally, hold objects, and perform tasks every day without feeling any weakness, it's a positive sign. 

4. Your Symptoms Are Not Worsening

• The symptoms of ALS get worse with time.
• But if the symptoms remain the same or improve, this is another strong indication that you are not dealing with ALS.

5. You Experience Anxiety-Driven Symptoms

• Anxiety can imitate several physical problems, such as muscle twitches, chest tightness, muscle tightness, and fatigue. However, ALS is not triggered or worsened by anxiety.
• These symptoms are often associated with the nervous system being in a state of heightened awareness and reactivity. 

6. You Have Pain or Joint Problems

• Though sometimes, ALS can cause muscle cramps, it does not lead to pain or joint problems.
• If you feel sharp shooting or joint pain, it might not be due to neurological conditions and may be much more manageable. 

Other Medical Conditions that Imitate ALS

Having ALS-associated symptoms does not mean you have this disorder. It can mimic other medical issues that share the same symptoms. Those conditions include:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS)

• Myasthenia Gravis

• Parkinson's Disease
• Benign Fasciculation Syndrome
• Spinobulbar Muscular Atrophy
• Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM)

Hence, a proper diagnosis is needed to determine the exact condition. Doctors can help with blood tests, urine tests, nerve conduction studies, or an MRI for an appropriate diagnosis. 

What Can Cause ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)?

The following factors can contribute to ALS:

• Genetics: About 10% of cases are genetic (meaning the condition runs in the family) due to gene mutations.

• Environmental Factors: Exposure to heavy metals, physical trauma, or viruses can be the potential causes.

Risk factors for ALS are:

• Age: More likely to experience symptoms between the ages of 55-75.
• Race & Ethnicity: The White (non-Hispanic) population is most prone to developing ALS.
• Sex: Research shows that men are more susceptible to getting ALS than women. It's because they are more exposed to environmental factors.
• Military Veterans: Military veterans might also be at higher risk as they are more exposed to physical trauma and environmental factors. 

Potential Early Signs of ALS

If you want to know whether you have ALS, look for these ALS symptoms checklist:

• Muscle weakness (in the legs, neck, or arms)
• Muscle cramps
• Stiff muscles
• Twitching in the feet, hands, shoulders, or tongue
• Speech challenges (e.g., trouble forming words or slurring words)
• Involuntary emotional expressions (such as crying or laughing)
• Fatigue
• Drooling
• Trouble swallowing

These symptoms develop mildly but become more severe. The progression of the symptoms varies from one person to another. If you see any symptoms, report them to a doctor.

Complications Associated with ALS

ALS can lead to the following complications, which can impact your quality of life, while some can be life-threatening. Hence, early diagnosis and treatment are needed. The potential complications include:

• Breathing Problems, needing assisted ventilation, or leading to respiratory failure (in severe cases).

• Swallowing & Eating Difficulties, making it challenging to eat, swallow, or drink saliva.

• Communication Problems, leading to difficulty forming words or slurred speech.

• Movement & Muscle Weakness, making it tough to walk, stand, move limbs, or sit without any support.

• Fatigue and Muscle Tightness (Spasticity) cause challenges in performing everyday activities.

• Mental Health Issues such as anxiety or depression.

• Other Complications include weight loss, pressure sores, or frontotemporal dementia. 

Note: If left untreated, ALS can lead to these complications, which can be fatal. So, seek medical attention immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment.

When to See a Doctor?

Seek medical help if you:

• face challenges in performing your everyday routine.
• Notice the symptoms are getting worse.
• can't move independently.
• experience the treatment's side effects.

As ALS can cause breathing difficulties, consult the providers immediately if you experience the following, as they can cause respiratory failure:

• Shortness of breath, even while resting
• Weak cough
• Extra saliva
• Difficulty clearing the lungs and throat
• Inability to lie down flat
• Repeated chest infections

Note: Contact emergency services in case of difficulty breathing.

Treatment Options for ALS

There is no cure for ALS, but its symptoms can be managed with the following treatment options:

Medications:

• Riluzole: Reduce damage caused to motor neurons and extend the survival period by some months.
• Edaravone: Slows the progression of the disease and increases survival time.
• Sodium phenylbutyrate/taurursodiol: Reduce the progression of ALS symptoms
• Tofersen: Decrease the damage caused to neurons.

Therapies:

• Physical therapy: E.g., walking or aerobic exercises that aid in maintaining mobility, managing fluid retention, and reducing pain.

• Occupational therapy: Helps you learn techniques and strategies to move using assistive devices such as a walker, braces, or wheelchair.

• Speech therapy: Enhances communication strategies and swallowing techniques.

• Nutritional support: Ensure a balanced diet that excludes hard-to-swallow foods and includes soft foods that provide sufficient fiber, calories, and fluid.

• Respiratory therapy: Manage breathing difficulties through ventilator support or breathing aids.

How is ALS related to Lou Gehrig, an American Baseball First Baseman?

• Lou Gehrig was a professional baseball first baseman in New York, whose career was interrupted when he was diagnosed with ALS, a disease that slowly affects his ability to move, breathe, and speak.
• He was diagnosed in 1938 when the cases of the disease were 2,130. After 2 years, he died in 1941, when the cases of this disease continued to increase for 56 years.
• After his death, ALS was also known as "Lou Gehrig's disease".

Summing Up

Signs you don't have ALS include experiencing muscle twitching without weakness, tingling and numbness, anxiety-driven symptoms, and pain, having normal strength, and no worsening of the symptoms. But if symptoms worsen over time, involve weakness or difficulty speaking or breathing, see a doctor right away. Don’t self-diagnose. Peace of mind often comes from talking to a professional. You can talk to a neurologist online or get a second opinion to ease your mind. Many symptoms that feel scary can be explained easily by a doctor.

FAQs

What does living with ALS feel like?

It feels like losing control over muscles that help with breathing, walking, swallowing, and speaking.

Can ALS start with breathing problems?

Though ALS starts with muscle weakness, it can also begin with trouble breathing, which can affect your quality of life and survival.

Is ALS 100% fatal?

Yes, it is fatal. Some people will live for 2-5 years after diagnosis, while others survive longer. There is no cure for this disease.

Do you cough a lot with ALS?

Yes, you cough persistently because of weak respiratory muscles, which makes it challenging to cough strongly to clear the airways.

Does ALS cause frequent urination?

Yes, it does. It happens due to the progression of ALS, which impacts bladder control and leads to symptoms like difficulty holding urine and urinary urgency.