Experts reveal the little-known symptom that could signal a life-changing diagnosis
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Health conditions often reveal themselves in unexpected ways, with subtle symptoms that may seem minor at first.
In some cases, something as simple as difficulty swallowing or excessive saliva could hint at an underlying issue far more serious than it appears.
Here's what experts are saying about a lesser-known sign of a devastating neurological disease.
Experts warned that difficulty swallowing, excessive saliva, or drooling could be an early indicator of motor neurone disease (MND).
The progressive condition affected the brain and nerves, gradually stripping sufferers of their ability to move, eat, and eventually breathe.
While many associated MND with limb weakness and muscle twitches, some patients experienced saliva-related issues, including drooling or unusually thick, sticky saliva.
A 2021 study involving over 900 Scottish patients with MND found that 31 per cent struggled with excessive saliva, either as drooling or thick mucus.
Researchers noted that this symptom was more prevalent in those with bulbar onset MND, a form that primarily affected facial muscles.
This type of MND was less common, with around 90 per cent of patients diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which impacted the brain and spinal cord.
For most people with MND, drooling developed as the disease progressed, often due to weakened lip muscles or reduced swallowing ability rather than an increase in saliva production.
Although drooling was a lesser-known symptom, early signs of the disease typically included muscle weakness, difficulty gripping, slurred speech, and muscle twitches.
Rugby league legend Rob Burrow was diagnosed with MND in 2019 before passing away last year.
His first symptom was slurred speech, which became apparent while attending an awards event.
Friends initially believed he was drunk, but medical tests later confirmed the devastating diagnosis.
According to the NHS, six people were diagnosed with MND daily.
Around 5,000 adults in the UK lived with the condition, with the lifetime risk of developing it estimated at one in 300.
MND mainly affected people in their 60s and 70s, though it could develop in adults of any age.
Life expectancy varied, but for around half of those diagnosed, survival ranged from two to five years from the onset of symptoms.
Some patients deteriorated rapidly within months, while others experienced a slower progression over several years.
Doctors urged people to seek medical advice if they struggled to grip objects, experienced persistent muscle cramps or twitches, or noticed unexplained weakness in their legs.
While there was no cure for MND, treatments were available to manage symptoms, including medications to help reduce drooling.
As the disease advanced, many patients required mobility aids, ventilators to assist with breathing, and communication technology to maintain their ability to speak.
Understanding how MND affects the body can be difficult, especially as symptoms progress in different ways for each patient.
Watch this video for a visual breakdown of how the disease impacts the nervous system.
MND is a devastating condition that can begin with subtle symptoms, often mistaken for something minor.
Have you or someone you know ever experienced an unusual symptom that turned out to be something serious?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
In some cases, something as simple as difficulty swallowing or excessive saliva could hint at an underlying issue far more serious than it appears.
Here's what experts are saying about a lesser-known sign of a devastating neurological disease.
Experts warned that difficulty swallowing, excessive saliva, or drooling could be an early indicator of motor neurone disease (MND).
The progressive condition affected the brain and nerves, gradually stripping sufferers of their ability to move, eat, and eventually breathe.
While many associated MND with limb weakness and muscle twitches, some patients experienced saliva-related issues, including drooling or unusually thick, sticky saliva.
A 2021 study involving over 900 Scottish patients with MND found that 31 per cent struggled with excessive saliva, either as drooling or thick mucus.
Researchers noted that this symptom was more prevalent in those with bulbar onset MND, a form that primarily affected facial muscles.
This type of MND was less common, with around 90 per cent of patients diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which impacted the brain and spinal cord.
For most people with MND, drooling developed as the disease progressed, often due to weakened lip muscles or reduced swallowing ability rather than an increase in saliva production.
Although drooling was a lesser-known symptom, early signs of the disease typically included muscle weakness, difficulty gripping, slurred speech, and muscle twitches.
Rugby league legend Rob Burrow was diagnosed with MND in 2019 before passing away last year.
His first symptom was slurred speech, which became apparent while attending an awards event.
Friends initially believed he was drunk, but medical tests later confirmed the devastating diagnosis.
According to the NHS, six people were diagnosed with MND daily.
Around 5,000 adults in the UK lived with the condition, with the lifetime risk of developing it estimated at one in 300.
MND mainly affected people in their 60s and 70s, though it could develop in adults of any age.
Life expectancy varied, but for around half of those diagnosed, survival ranged from two to five years from the onset of symptoms.
Some patients deteriorated rapidly within months, while others experienced a slower progression over several years.
Doctors urged people to seek medical advice if they struggled to grip objects, experienced persistent muscle cramps or twitches, or noticed unexplained weakness in their legs.
While there was no cure for MND, treatments were available to manage symptoms, including medications to help reduce drooling.
As the disease advanced, many patients required mobility aids, ventilators to assist with breathing, and communication technology to maintain their ability to speak.
Understanding how MND affects the body can be difficult, especially as symptoms progress in different ways for each patient.
Watch this video for a visual breakdown of how the disease impacts the nervous system.
MND is a devastating condition that can begin with subtle symptoms, often mistaken for something minor.
Have you or someone you know ever experienced an unusual symptom that turned out to be something serious?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
