Warning Signs Of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Trouble Swallowing And Chewing

An individual experiencing trouble swallowing and chewing may be affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The nerves become progressively damaged by this disease, and twenty to twenty-five percent of affected individuals experience their first symptoms in their upper body and head region. When lower motor neuron (LMN) is affected, the individual can experience problems with moving their tongue. The damaged nerves are unable to properly send signals to the tongue to tell it to move in the fashion required for an individual to swallow. When an individual drinks fluids, they have to utilize the greatest oropharyngeal muscle control. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients have the most difficulty with swallowing liquids as a result of this mechanism. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can damage the nerves responsible for controlling the temporalis, medial pterygoid, lateral pterygoid, and masseter muscles. These muscles function to move the jaw when performing actions like chewing. While the nerves that control sensation in the jaw and tongue are unaffected, the motor nerves that tell the muscles to contract can become extensively damaged.

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