Photo Credit: Houston MethodistHealth
Houston Methodist neurologist: Don’t ignore subtle ALS symptoms
Actor Eric Dane’s death from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) just 10 months following his diagnosis has refocused public attention on early symptoms which are subtle and easy to dismiss. Dane said his first sign was weakness in his hand, something he attributed to everyday fatigue.
Dr. Susanne Gonzalez Gallardo, a neurologist specializing in neuromuscular medicine at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, said that kind of painless weakness can signal the earliest stages of ALS.
ALS is a rare, progressive neurological disease that affects nerve cells controlling movement, speech and breathing. It has no known cure.
“ALS often begins quietly,” Gonzalez Gallardo said. “People may assume early weakness is due to stress, aging or overuse. But persistent or worsening weakness, especially on one side of the body, should be evaluated.”
Gonzalez Gallardo recommends watching for changes during everyday activities, including difficulty climbing stairs, opening jars, buttoning clothes or noticing one hand becoming weaker than the other.
She also said that women, particularly those over age 70, may experience different early symptoms.
“Some women notice subtle voice changes, coughing when drinking liquids, taking longer to eat or unintentional weight loss,” Gonzalez Gallardo said. She encourages patients to trust their instincts. If something doesn’t feel right and doesn’t go away, seeing a neurologist early can provide answers and guide next steps, she said.
Current treatment of ALS focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life. If you or someone you know is experiencing subtle symptoms of ALS, book an appointment with a Houston Methodist neurologist online or by calling 713.441.3850.
For more information about Houston Methodist, visit our newsroom or our social media pages on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok or our On Health and Leading Medicine blogs.
Source: Houston Methodist
