Progressive muscle weakness, especially in one hand, arm, leg, or foot
Muscle twitching
Muscle cramps
Trouble with fine motor tasks like buttoning, writing, or turning keys
Tripping, stumbling, or frequent falls
Slurred speech
Trouble swallowing
Weakness spreading to other body parts over time
Muscle stiffness or tightness
Hand weakness with visible muscle wasting
Difficulty lifting the front of the foot
Shortness of breath, especially with exertion or when lying down
Symptoms that do not improve and keep getting worse
Normal sensation despite weakness, numbness is usually not a main symptom
Evaluation by a neurologist
Neurologic exam showing upper and lower motor neuron signs
Electromyography and nerve conduction studies
MRI to rule out other causes
Blood tests to exclude other conditions
Seek urgent medical care if breathing or swallowing becomes difficult