Warning Signs Of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Trouble Holding The Head Up

Due to the weakness of the neck muscles, ALS patients may experience trouble holding up their head. They may also have difficulty in swallowing, which then poses a risk for choking. A study was completed from 1981 to 2000, in which 683 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients were diagnosed. Among these patients, only 1.3 percent of them were officially diagnosed with issues holding up their head. They had profound neck muscle weakness as an early sign, but others did not develop this symptom until the disease progressed further. If the dropping of the head is experienced as an early sign of ALS, it is noticed within the first two years of onset. However, this has to be tested thoroughly because other neuromuscular diseases also cause the dropped head.

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