Question 1

could i have als with bulbar onset and the only symptom be difficulty swallowing for 6months?

Accepted Answer

ALS: is a progressive disabling disease a but when it starts with a "bulbar" onset it is not easy to make a "definite" diagnosis (until it reaches nerves which can be tested!
Speak with your treating neurologist about your concerns! 
Hope this is helpful
Dr Z

Question 2

statistically speaking, what would be the odds of a 25 year old male with no family history having bulbar onset als?

Accepted Answer

Very Low: 2.16 per 100,000 person-years

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2850819/

Question 3

what could cause tongue muscle fatigue when chewing? my tongue feels tired and cramps some when chewing. i dont have pain any other times other than eating. no sores or lumps. can swallow normal. potential for bulbar onset als?

Accepted Answer

: The tongue isn't actively involved in chewing but does play a role in moving food so it can be swallowed. The massiter muscles.and temporomandibular joint are more apt to fatigue in chewing. I did have one case of severe lingual fatigue which turned out to be an early manifestation of Parkinson's disease. A specialist in oral pathology at a university hospital can evaluate and advise you further.

Question 4

i've tongue twitches every days since 1.5 month. normal neuro exam and clean emg 1 month after the onset. i'm a 28 y-o man. could it be bulbar als ?

Accepted Answer

Can't tell: your history is too short. If your neurological exam is normal and twitching of the tongue is the only symptom then nothing more needs to be done at this time. Twitching of voluntary muscles is very common though it is rather uncommon in the tongue. I would recommend a follow up history and exam in 3 months.

Question 5

i am experiencing  slurred speech. clean emgs of al limbs, would emg of picked up if als was present regardless if it were bulbar onset?

Accepted Answer

TIA/Stroke: The speech center is often affected by stroke (CVA) or TIA. I suggest immediate ER evaluation.

Question 6

what is bulbar als?

Accepted Answer

Cranial nerves: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a disease where the nerve cells degenerate which leads to muscle weakness and death, the cause is unknown. The bulbar form affects the cranial nerves, they supply the face and neck structures.  Riluzole is a drug that may help.

Question 7

with bulbar als , would an emg on the right side of body be normal ?

Accepted Answer

Als: If the ALS only involved part of the brain stem and spared the nervous innervation of the extremities, I believe that emg findings in the extremities may not show abnormal readings. A neurologist is best qualified to answer your question however.

Question 8

als question

my grandmother was diagnosed with bulbar als in august 2015. she's the only one in our family to have it.  should my mom & i get tested ?

Accepted Answer

Genetic counseling: In 90% of cases, there is only one family member with ALS.  You can find some useful information here: http://www.alsa.org/about-als/genetic-testing-for-als.html   Before jumping to genetic testing, you might do some research and consider consulting a genetic counselor.

Question 9

tongue fasciculations for one year. teo clean emg's. what are the odds of it being bulbar als? no other symptoms.

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: ALS, almost never has changes in the motor unit in the initial stage and along the natural course of disease. See a neurologist for consultation and assessment.

Question 10

i am 23 years old constantly worrying about bulbar als. i have a feeling of mucous in my jugular notch that i can't cough nor swallow.is it a symptom?

Accepted Answer

Chronic anxiety: This is likely just chronic anxiety about a very rare condition. Without progressive neurologic issues the diagnosis is not present.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Als bulbar onset

A member asked:

Could i have als with bulbar onset and the only symptom be difficulty swallowing for 6months?

A member asked:

Statistically speaking, what would be the odds of a 25 year old male with no family history having bulbar onset als?

A member asked:

What could cause tongue muscle fatigue when chewing? my tongue feels tired and cramps some when chewing. i dont have pain any other times other than eating. no sores or lumps. can swallow normal. potential for bulbar onset als?

A member asked:

I've tongue twitches every days since 1.5 month. normal neuro exam and clean emg 1 month after the onset. i'm a 28 y-o man. could it be bulbar als ?

A member asked:

I am experiencing slurred speech. clean emgs of al limbs, would emg of picked up if als was present regardless if it were bulbar onset?

A member asked:

What is bulbar als?

A member asked:

With bulbar als , would an emg on the right side of body be normal ?

A member asked:

Als question my grandmother was diagnosed with bulbar als in august 2015. she's the only one in our family to have it. should my mom & i get tested ?

A member asked:

Tongue fasciculations for one year. teo clean emg's. what are the odds of it being bulbar als? no other symptoms.

A member asked:

I am 23 years old constantly worrying about bulbar als. i have a feeling of mucous in my jugular notch that i can't cough nor swallow.is it a symptom?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?