Early warning sign of ALS could show up at mealtimes

Following the death of Euphoria star Eric Dane, attention is turning to the early signs of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), including subtle changes you may notice during mealtimes.

Dane, who passed away from ALS aged 53 on Thursday (February 20). "With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS," a statement from his representatives reads. "He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife [actress Rebecca Gayheart] and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the centre of his world."

Dane was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a rare degenerative disease that causes progressive paralysis of the muscles.

As the disease worsens, it affects the nerve cells in the brain and spine that control muscle movement, causing patients to slowly lose their ability to speak, eat, walk and breathe independently.

Grey's Anatomy star Eric Dane passed away after being diagnosed with ALS (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

He had been privately battling with early symptoms for well over a year before he received the news of his condition.

Reflecting on what the diagnosis meant to him, last summer, Dane told Good Morning America that his diagnosis made him ‘angry’.

"Because, you know, my father was taken from me when I was young," he told the programme.

"And now, you know, there's a very good chance I'm going to be taken from my girls while they're very young".

When speaking about the symptoms he noticed told shared: "I started experiencing some weakness in my right hand. I didn’t really think anything of it at the time. I thought maybe I’d been texting too much or my hand was fatigued, but a few weeks later I noticed it got a little worse."

By summer last year, his symptoms were much more debilitating.

"My left side is functioning, my right side has completely stopped working," he said.

"I feel like maybe a couple more months, and I won’t have my left hand either. It’s sobering."

What are the symptoms of ALS?

ALS affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to progressive muscle weakness in the arms, legs, face, throat and chest.

Subtle changes may be noticed during everyday meals, such as frequent choking, coughing while drinking liquids, or difficulty chewing and swallowing.

You may notice this while eating meals (Getty Stock)

These signs may be among the earliest warning signs of ALS. Often overlooked or attributed to minor throat issues, these symptoms can signal the gradual weakening of muscles involved in speech and swallowing.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states that the following symptoms could be early signs of ALS.

• Muscle twitches in the arm, leg, shoulder, or tongue
• Muscle cramps
• Tight and stiff muscles (spasticity)
• Muscle weakness affecting an arm, a leg, or the neck
• Slurred and nasal speech
• Difficulty chewing or swallowing

As the disease progresses, patients may struggle with the following:

• Chewing food and swallowing (dysphagia)
• Drooling (sialorrhea)
• Speaking or forming words (dysarthria)
• Breathing (dyspnea)
• Unintended crying, laughing, or other emotional displays (pseudobulbar symptoms)
• Constipation
• Maintaining a healthy weight and getting enough nutrients