BFS €“ also known as ' muscle fasciculation syndrome ', ' benign fasciculation ' and ' fasciculation syndrome ' €“ is a disorder of the nervous system characterized by the common twitching ( fasciculation ) of muscle groups in varied parts of the body. It may or may not be associated with muscle cramps. Although it occurs more commonly in the muscles of the legs, arms and face, it can happen in any specific muscles, including those of the tongue. As its name suggests, it is a benign, reasonably irksome peculiarity that, fortunately, does not progress to a more businesslike neurological disorder.
The fasciculation may be localized €“ a twitching eyelid for instance €“ or become far more extensive and inspire several limbs or even the abdominal muscles. They may be either incidential or uniform; in truth most people will experience a degree of BFS at finally in their lives without musing that they have this trait. For part, a simple facial ' tic ' is a localized fasciculation.
However, most people will only be aware of the diagnosis of BFS when the symptoms become so extensive and persistent that they explore medical advice.
A more draggy disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( ALS ) - also known as Lou Gehrig ' s disease also has muscle fasciculation as a controlling symptom. Although fasciculation is a attribute of both BFS and ALS that of the former generally ceases when the affected muscle is exercised while the twitching in ALS patients persists whether the muscles are working or at rest. A full neurological examination and electromyography ( EMG ) are all that are needed to make a diagnosis of BFS and drop more sedate neurological diseases.
Although the precise cause of BFS is unknown it may be associated with several factors including acute viral illnesses, exercise, anxiety or drugs.
Some authorities have suggested that insecticides could also be a causative factor as muscle fasciculation is one of the prominent symptoms pragmatic in organophosphate poisoning.
Exercise triggers muscle twitching in the majority of BFS patients that and is probably related to the higher than general amounts of free radicals that are released by the body during mammoth hustle.
Free radicals are a by - product of the cell ' s energy strain in consequence the longer and more deeply an proper exercises the more free radicals his body will perfect. For this actuation endurance athletes are subject to free radical overload and oxidative stress. If strong exercise is associated with BFS, in all likelihood the cause of the twitching is free radical - induced nerve and muscle motor response.
Although there are no recognized drugs for the treatment of BFS, anecdotal reports suggest that some mortals benefit from either pharmaceutical or natural sedatives. However no clinical mishap have been done to appearance whether or not these products are more effective than placebos.
As prolonged physical motion produces large quantities of free radicals and exercise is such a strong precipitating factor for BFS, oxidative stress is partly certainly one of the underlying pathological factors contributing to this affirmation.
In consequence it is not surprising to find that there is reliable anecdotal evidence that antioxidant - rich food supplements are effective in treating this annoying, and oftentimes difficult, element.
It is also possible that even those tribe who do not suffer from exercise induced BFS may be under oxidative stress for other reasons and could reduce their symptoms by increasing their daily antioxidant intake.
