Question 1

i was diagnosed with pls. i do have muscle atrophy in both legs.  whats the diff between  upper motor neuron dominant als and pls?

Accepted Answer

PLS versus ALS: Primary lateral sclerosis (pls) is a rare cause  of spasticity without muscle atrophy ( no loss of spinal motor neurons). Extensive atrophy should not occur with pls, but reduced activity by itself can cause some atrophy. Als involves both upper motor neurons (causing spasticity) and lower motor neurons, causing atrophy. Pls has little effect on life span, hereditary spastic paraparesis can mimic.

Question 2

in als and other neurological diseases, how rapid is muscle weakness and/or atrophy? if i have gone almost a full year, if not longer and have not experienced obvious muscle weakness or atrophy does this rule it out?

Accepted Answer

Varies: The weakness from different neurological diseases varies greatly from person to person. Some people can go decades without weakness developing, others progress rapidly. My husband has had MS for 26 years and is still walking. Please see a neurologist yearly if you have concerns so they can compare your strength and reflexes from bvb year to CV year.

Question 3

can neurogenic atrophy in thenar muscle from nerve injury cause als? or does it only apply to those with nerve disease?

Accepted Answer

No: The cause of ALS is unknown.  Injuring a nerve is not associated with ALS.  
Muscle atrophy is seen in the affected areas of ALS.  If there had been no injury and you developed muscle wasting for no reason, ALS, would be considered as a diagnosis.  there is a nice review in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amyotrophic_lateral_sclerosis

Question 4

would muscle twitches all over the body with no weakness or atrophy be a sign of als? i have severe health anxiety have had the twitches for years.

Accepted Answer

Fasciculation: Twitches can be the result of medications or drugs as well as muscle fatigue, but it sounds like you would benefit from a neurology consult to put your mind at ease about ALS and to rule out other disorders causing denervation of muscle groups.

Question 5

my son, 37, has eds. he noticed his right thigh muscle has atrophied.the area is dented with very apparent atropy approx 7 inches of hollowed-out area. could it be due to eds or als? or something else? what type of doctor should he see? 
thank you?

Accepted Answer

: Trust he has "Ehlers Danlos Syndrome".  Right thigh atrophy might be femoral nerve or lumbar nerve compression.  EDS does not cause this kind of problem, directly.  ALS would be unlikely?  Suggest you see a neurologist who has experience with connective tissue disorders, and seek help at a medical school.  This does need a full evaluation.

Question 6

would als cause increased muscle tone in the affected limb before atrophy begins?one arm is sore and that arm looks slightly bigger.could this be als?

Accepted Answer

ALS: ALS also known as Lou Gehrig disease is a serious neurological problem. I suggest you read up on it as there are multipe sites on the Internet for lay people and see if you exhibit any if the symptoms.
Good luck

Question 7

27y, 24/7 muscle twitching in both feet/calves started 3 months ago + short body wide twitches every 10min. + occasional pain in veins. no atrophy/ muscle weakness. last month itchy\clearing throat in upright position. should i be worried about als?

Accepted Answer

Muscle twitches : Muscle twitching in the legs can be associated with problems or metabolic problems. ALS is not common at your age and usually affects the arms before the legs.

Question 8

how is muscle atrophy caused?

Accepted Answer

2 Types: There are 2 forms of muscle atrophy: disuse atrophy, i.e. This come actual lack of activity or 'using' the muscle. Astronauts on space developed disuse atrophy, and exercise programs were instituted. 2nd type is neurogenic atrophy. This result from injury or damage to the spinal cord or spinal nerves, also from nerve disease such as als,  polio, guillain-barre syndrome, muscular dystrophy, etc.

Question 9

what does me muscle atrophy feel like?

Accepted Answer

You may not: Feel it at all. You may notice that f.E. Your hand or leg has gotten thinner or weaker.

Question 10

can progressive muscle atrophy be stopped?

Accepted Answer

Depends on cause: A physiatrist, or doctor of physical medicine and rehabilitation can evaluate the individual and come up with a plan to maximize function. The prognosis depends on the cause of the symptoms.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Muscle atrophy als

A member asked:

I was diagnosed with pls. i do have muscle atrophy in both legs. whats the diff between upper motor neuron dominant als and pls?

A member asked:

In als and other neurological diseases, how rapid is muscle weakness and/or atrophy? if i have gone almost a full year, if not longer and have not experienced obvious muscle weakness or atrophy does this rule it out?

A member asked:

Can neurogenic atrophy in thenar muscle from nerve injury cause als? or does it only apply to those with nerve disease?

A member asked:

Would muscle twitches all over the body with no weakness or atrophy be a sign of als? i have severe health anxiety have had the twitches for years.

A member asked:

My son, 37, has eds. he noticed his right thigh muscle has atrophied.the area is dented with very apparent atropy approx 7 inches of hollowed-out area. could it be due to eds or als? or something else? what type of doctor should he see? thank you?

A member asked:

Would als cause increased muscle tone in the affected limb before atrophy begins?one arm is sore and that arm looks slightly bigger.could this be als?

A member asked:

27y, 24/7 muscle twitching in both feet/calves started 3 months ago + short body wide twitches every 10min. + occasional pain in veins. no atrophy/ muscle weakness. last month itchy\clearing throat in upright position. should i be worried about als?

A member asked:

How is muscle atrophy caused?

A member asked:

What does me muscle atrophy feel like?

A member asked:

Can progressive muscle atrophy be stopped?

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?