3 warning signs of the killer disease Sandra Bullock's partner battled for years

08 August 2023 , 15:34

503     0

Sandra Bullock's partner of eight years tragically died over the weekend

Yesterday it was announced that Bryan Randall, the longtime partner of actress Sandra Bullock, had died over the weekend after a three-year-long battle with ALS.

Bryan died at the age of 57, a family statement confirmed, with it being revealed that he was secretly battling the disease, which is known as ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The condition is described as "a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord", according to ALS.org, with them also explaining how there is "no cure".

The ALS Association describes the disease as having a "gradual onset" with early symptoms being quite varied. And although symptoms differ from person to person, there are a few warning signs of the killer disease that everybody should look out for.

Sandra Bullock's partner Bryan sadly died over the weekend (Instagram/gesinebp)

"Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. They govern voluntary movements and muscle control," they write on the website.

They then add how ALS "causes these motor neurons to degenerate over time until they eventually die" before noting how that when the motor neurons die, "the brain can no longer initiate and control muscle movement" which can prevent the person affected from speaking, eating, moving and breathing.

SAG Awards' most iconic moments from adorable reunions to swipes at actors

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states that there are a handful of symptoms that tend to present themselves early on in the disease. The first warning sign is muscles, with twitches, stiffness, cramps and weakness all noted as symptoms. Muscle twitches in the arm, leg, shoulder, or tongue; muscle cramps; tight and stiff muscles (known as spasticity); and muscle weakness affecting an arm, a leg, the neck, or the diaphragm are the most common.

The second warning sign is speech, with slurred speech or nasal speech being listed as an early onset symptom. The ALS Association also notes this, with them also noting this could be presented by a change in vocal pitch when speaking. Meanwhile, the next warning sign has to do with chewing and swallowing, and if these prove to be difficult.

The statement released on Monday revealed Bryan's three-year-long battle with ALS (GC Images)

Sandra and Bryan were loved up for eight years before he died (GC Images)

The ALS Association then notes that after these symptoms, "progressive muscle weakness and paralysis are universally experienced", with them urging the muscle weakness is "generally painless. They then note that the mean survival time with ALS is two to five years, with some people going on to live five years, 10 years, or even longer.

As the disease progresses, breathing muscles are likely to become affected, with the website noting how those with the disease "will ultimately need permanent ventilatory support to assist with breathing".

This comes as Sandra and her family grieve the loss of Bryan after they released an emotional statement on Monday which read: "It is with great sadness that we share that on Aug. 5, Bryan Randall passed away peacefully after a three-year battle with ALS," his family shared. "Bryan chose early to keep his journey with ALS private and those of us who cared for him did our best to honor his request."

Mollie Quirk