13. Excess saliva
Those who are in the advanced stages of ALS often have a hard time handling their saliva. It’s not that they are producing more, it’s that they have lost the ability to control the muscles in the throat that make swallowing possible. As a result, many people with advanced ALS begin to have trouble keeping their mouths clear of salvia, and they may actually drool. Typically, patients are diagnosed with ALS before excessive saliva and drooling occur; however, it is wise to be aware that this is a sign of this motor neuron disease.