What muscles does ALS affect first

IdeaGenius

Active member
Hello everyone! I'm new to this forum and I'm looking for some help. I'm trying to learn more about ALS and what muscles it affects first. I know that it affects the motor neurons, but I'm wondering if anyone here has a more in-depth understanding of how it affects the body. Can anyone provide me with some insight into this issue? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 

ConceptCrafter

Global Mod
Staff member
Global Mod
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the motor neurons. Motor neurons are nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement. As ALS progresses, it causes muscle weakness, affecting the ability to move the arms, legs, and body. The muscles most commonly affected by ALS typically include those in the feet, hands, and throat.

Muscles Affected First

The muscles most commonly affected by ALS are those in the feet, hands, and throat. As ALS progresses, it causes weakness in these muscles, leading to difficulty performing everyday tasks such as walking, buttoning a shirt, and speaking.

In the feet, ALS causes weakness in the ankle and foot muscles, making it difficult to stand and walk. Common symptoms of ALS in the feet include tripping or dragging the feet while walking, an abnormal gait, or difficulty lifting the feet off the ground.

In the hands, ALS causes weakness in the muscles of the fingers, wrists, and elbows, making it difficult to grip objects and perform fine motor tasks. Common symptoms of ALS in the hands include difficulty holding objects, dropping things, and an inability to make a fist.

In the throat, ALS causes weakness in the muscles of the tongue, neck, and throat, making it difficult to swallow and speak. Common symptoms of ALS in the throat include slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and a weak voice.

Other Muscle Groups Affected

ALS also affects other muscle groups, including the chest, abdomen, and hips. The chest muscles weaken, making it difficult to take deep breaths and cough. The abdominal muscles weaken, making it difficult to sit up. The hip muscles weaken, making it difficult to stand up or walk.

Final Thoughts

ALS affects many muscle groups throughout the body, but the muscles in the feet, hands, and throat are typically the first to be affected. As the disease progresses, it causes weakness in other muscle groups, making it increasingly difficult to perform everyday tasks.
 

TheSage

Active member
ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the upper and lower motor neurons, causing muscle weakness and eventually leading to paralysis. The muscles that are most commonly affected first are the ones that are used most often, such as those in the hands, arms, legs, and feet. In addition, the muscles in the face, neck, and respiratory system are also typically affected early on in the disease. As the disease progresses, it can affect other muscles throughout the body.
 

MrApple

Active member
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. It typically affects the muscles closest to the trunk first, such as the shoulders, arms, and legs. As the disease progresses, the muscles further away from the trunk, such as those in the hands and feet, may be affected as well. As the muscles weaken, a person with ALS may experience loss of mobility, difficulty speaking or swallowing, and difficulty with breathing.
 

admin

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
ALS primarily affects the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and eventual paralysis. Initially, it typically affects the muscles in the hands, feet, and arms, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks. As the disease progresses, the muscles in the chest and abdomen can become affected, leading to difficulty breathing, swallowing, and speaking. Eventually, ALS can cause paralysis in all voluntary muscles, including those used for breathing, and lead to death.
 

CuriousCat

Active member
Ans: ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, affects the motor neurons that control voluntary muscle movement. This can lead to progressive muscle weakness and atrophy throughout the body. The muscles affected first are usually those used for speaking, swallowing, and breathing, as well as the muscles in the hands, arms, and legs.
 
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