The six early warning signs of motor neurone disease you should NEVER ignore, after rugby hero Rob Burrow’s tragic death aged just 41
The first symptom for rugby legend Rob Burrow was slurred speech, which struck while he was attending an awards ceremony.
Within weeks, the otherwise fit and healthy athlete had spread the devastating news that he had motor neurone disease (MND).
Burrow, father of daughters Macy and Maya, and son Jackson, died this week after a five-year battle with the incurable condition, having spent his final years campaigning for better awareness.
MND is a rare neurological disorder that damages the nervous system over time, resulting in problems with walking, speaking and breathing as the condition progresses. It is not yet fully understood why it occurs and there are no effective treatments to stop its vicious advance.
Around 5,000 adults in Britain have ALS and there is a one in 300 risk of developing the condition over the course of a person’s lifetime. Here, MailOnline analyzes the early warning signs of the fatal condition…
Rob Burrow opened up about his battle with motor neurone disease in an ITV documentary Lindsey and Rob: Living with MND
Burrow plays for the Leeds Rhinos. The friends made while playing for the team have been instrumental in raising awareness for MND, with former teammates completing challenges to raise money
Muscle twitching
Muscle twitching and cramps are among the first signs of MND.
According to the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA), this can also feel like a wavy feeling under the skin.
However, tremors in themselves are not usually associated with neurological conditions such as MND unless you have other symptoms, the charity explains.
It can also happen with fatigue, stress, viral infection or general poor health.
Some tremors and jerks are normal and can be caused by caffeine, stress and age.
Rob poses with his wife Lindsey (left), eldest daughter Macy (back right), second daughter Maya (front right) and son Jackson (sitting on the arm of the wheelchair)
The rugby legend spent his entire club career at Leeds, making more than 400 appearances between 2001 and 2017 before receiving a shock diagnosis in 2019.
Extreme fatigue
The condition can make you feel lethargic and very tired.
MND is caused by a problem with cells in the brain and nerves called motor neurons.
These cells gradually stop working over time, but it is not known why this happens.
However, MNDA says that fatigue usually occurs once other symptoms of MND become more apparent.
Weakness in the ankles or legs
Stumbling, falling, and finding it harder to climb stairs can be a sign of ALS.
That’s because the condition can cause muscle weakness in your ankles and legs.
When a muscle becomes weaker, it usually becomes smaller, also called ‘wasting’.
According to MNDA, foot drop can be an early symptom of MND, with one foot sometimes feeling weak or dragging.
But it’s important to remember that this could also be caused by an injury or other condition, but should still be checked by your GP.
The rugby star won the Challenge Cup at Wembley in 2014 and 2015, as well as three World Club Challenges and three League Leaders Shields
Weak or stiff hands
Dropping things because you have weak or stiff hands could be a warning sign that you have a neurological problem.
Just as it causes weakness in the ankles and legs, MND can cause you to have a weak grip, making it harder to open jars, button buttons and even hold objects, the NHS says.
However, stiff hands or a weak grip can also be an indication of age-related joint problems or a pinched nerve.
Slurred speech
Slurred speech is an early warning sign of ALS.
This is because people with MND suffer from weak muscles in the face, mouth, tongue or throat.
This can also cause problems swallowing food, the NHS adds.
According to MNDA, it can also affect the volume of your speech.
The charity explains that weak speech can occur when you feel out of breath and cannot support the volume of your speech.
Rob Burrow along with wife Lindsey (who ran the half marathon), daughters Macy and Maya and Kevin Sinfield last year to raise awareness of Burrow’s condition
Emotional outbursts
The condition not only affects the muscles, but also your mind.
Because it is caused by a problem with cells in the brain and nerves called motor neurons, it can also change the way you behave and think.
According to MNDA, up to half of people diagnosed with MND experience these changes.
It can make it harder to avoid crying or laughing in inappropriate situations, the NHS explains.
For most people, these changes are mild and do not seriously affect their daily lives.
