Progression of MND

Most people measure the progression of the disease in terms of the difficulties they may encounter while going about their everyday life.

Some of the difficulties you may experience include:

  • The legs – walking may become more difficult as the legs become weaker, you may experience foot drop.
  • The arms and hands – everyday tasks such as turning taps, brushing hair, dressing, doing up buttons, may become more difficult as the arms and hands begin to weaken.
  • The neck and shoulders – it may become difficult to keep your head upright as the muscles weaken.
  • Emotions – emotional responses may be affected, leading to laughing or crying involuntarily. A physical response and not a mental one may be the cause of this.
  • Speech and swallowing – difficulties may be experienced when eating, drinking and speaking.
  • Breathing – if the respiratory muscles become affected, there may be difficulties with breathing.
  • A small number of people may experience difficulties with memory, learning, language and poor concentration. This is generally known as cognitive change. Up to 10% of people diagnosed with MND may have MND-associated Dementia.

There is help available with all of the above symptoms; this can be in the form of medication, equipment aids and personal care. Please refer to Community Care Services for more information about who can help.

What is not affected.

  • For the vast majority of people who are diagnosed with MND, the disease will not affect their, touch, taste, sight, smell or hearing.
  • MND does not directly affect bowel and bladder functions, although immobility and changes to diet in later stages may lead to changes in bowel movement.
  • In most cases, sexual function will not be affected until the later stages of the disease.
  • Eye muscles are generally not affected.
  • The heart muscle is not affected.