5 Signs Your Parent May Have ALS

ALS stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It’s a neurodegenerative disease that kills nerve cells, affecting the person’s ability to control muscle movement. The disease has no cure. However, when it is diagnosed early, it gives doctors a chance to offer treatments that can keep muscles working longer. It can be a difficult disease to diagnose because some of the symptoms mimic those of other diseases. Knowing what to look for can ensure your elderly parent gets treatment as early on in the disease as possible. Below are 5 signs that your parent could have ALS.

Home Care in Canadian Lakes MI: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

#1: Changes in Hand Coordination

One of the early signs of ALS is hands becoming clumsy and weak. Your parent may drop things more often than they once did. Perhaps you’ll notice their coffee cup slipping from their hand and crashing to the floor. They may also have trouble manipulating small objects that never gave them trouble before. For example, if your mom sews, she might not be able to put pins in the fabric anymore.

#2: Speech Changes and Swallowing Problems

Your parent’s speech may change because of weakened muscles in the tongue and throat. Speech may be slurred. Changes to these muscles can also make swallowing difficult, so you might notice them avoiding certain foods, struggling to swallow, or choking frequently.

#3: Tripping

When leg muscles start to get weak, your parent will start to have trouble picking their feet up. This may cause a toe to drag, which makes them trip seemingly over nothing. They might even fall.

#4: Muscle Cramps

Though most people don’t associate pain with ALS, it can actually cause painful muscle cramps. In the early stages, cramps typically occur in tongue, shoulders, and arms. They might also experience muscle twitches.

#5: Bad Posture

Loss of muscle tone in the back and torso can make it hard to sit or stand up straight. They could also have problems holding their head up.

If you're aging relative has ALS, elder care can assist with their care. During the early stages, an elder care provider can allow them to remain as independent as possible, but step in to help when they need it. As the disease worsens, the elder care provider can do more, such as cooking meals and cleaning the house. In addition, an elder care provider can help with personal care, such as transferring the senior to and from their wheelchair, dressing, bathing, and using the toilet.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Care in Canadian Lakes, MI, please talk to the caring staff at Asona Home Health, LLC, today. Serving individuals and their families in Canadian Lakes, Mount Pleasant, Clare, and the surrounding areas. Call us 24/7 today at: (989) 546-4269!

Sources Mayoclinic.org

Ninds.nih.gov

Webmd.com