What is Bulbar ALS Onset?
Bulbar ALS onset is the condition wherein the disorder strikes the tongue rather than the limbs. The nerves in the facial region that are connected to the medulla or the bulb region of the brain are affected. ALS diseases causes the death of the nerves in face or a decrease in functioning of the motor neurons, resulting in spastic bulbar palsy. This spastic bulbar palsy may develop into bulbar ALS symptoms as the disease progresses. The muscles of the throat, tongue, jaw and face are affected. This is because the motor neuron cells in the spinal cord degenerate leading to their death due to ALS. The bulbar ALS symptoms or ‘bulbar onset’ is seen in about 25% of patients who are to develop ALS. Bulbar ALS symptoms are seen in 75 to 80% of the patients with classic ALS symptoms. What are Bulbar ALS Problems? The ALS symptoms and diagnosis is made on the physical signs shown by the patient. The first bulbar ALS symptoms include slurring of speech. This is because the tongue is the first to
