A doctor has revealed early signs of ALS and how they can be mistaken for other conditions, following Grey’s Anatomy star Eric Dane’s recent diagnosis.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive motor neuron disease that ultimately proves fatal. It affects nerve cells and the brain, with The ALS Association stating that the average life expectancy post-diagnosis is roughly three years. Unfortunately, a cure for ALS remains elusive.
The exact causes of ALS are still unclear, which leaves many wondering why some people develop this devastating disease.
Eric Dane, known for his role in Grey’s Anatomy, received his ALS diagnosis in April and has been open about his health journey since then.
Initially, Dane noticed a subtle weakness in his right hand, which he shared during an appearance on Good Morning America.
“I started experiencing some weakness in my right hand and I didn’t really think anything of it at the time,” the Euphoria actor shared. “I thought maybe I had been texting too much or my hand was fatigued. But a few weeks later I noticed it had gotten a little worse so I went and saw a hand specialist and he sent me to another hand specialist.”
It took nine months before Dane was officially diagnosed with ALS.
In an update given in June, he shared the difficult news that his right arm had ‘completely stopped working’.
Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, commented on how initial ALS symptoms can often be confused with less serious conditions following Dane’s revelation that he misattributed his symptoms to ‘texting too much’.
He explained: “Hand weakness, one of the common early signs of ALS, can easily be mistaken for more recognized health issues. Often, people attribute this symptom to fatigue, overuse injuries or age-related muscle stiffness. It may also be mistaken for poor circulation or a pinched nerve.”
Dr Grant continued: “ALS begins as a subtle weakness, without any pain, making it easy to overlook or mistake for other conditions. Anyone who experiences persistent weakness in one hand, especially if it interferes with daily tasks, should seek medical advice from their GP, who can provide more tailored advice.”
The healthcare professional also highlighted general ALS symptoms people should be aware of, including increased difficulty in walking.
“Once ALS has developed, general symptoms include progressive muscle weakness, which can spread to different parts of the body,” stated Dr Grant. “Walking also becomes more difficult, and people may find it challenging to complete daily activities, speak or swallow. Interestingly, while the body is experiencing widespread changes, most people maintain full cognitive function throughout the course of ALS.”
While there is no cure for ALS, doctors often prescribe medication to decelerate its progression, improve quality of life, and help manage symptoms.
Patients may also be offered physical therapy to aid in their treatment.