Benign fasciculation syndrome, sometimes referred to as muscle fasciculation syndrome, is a relatively rare condition affecting a person’s nervous system in which muscles involuntarily contract and twitch. While this condition may occur in almost any muscle, including the tongue, the condition primarily takes place in the face, arms, and legs. The syndrome often resembles other conditions including Lou Gehrig’s disease (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and motor neuron disease. No known cure exists for benign fasciculation syndrome. Not a life-threatening illness, the syndrome is more of an irritant and can strike a person of any age or any sex.
Besides twitching that does not go away, general symptoms may include a pins and needles sensation, numbness, cramping, spasms, and fatigue. Other symptoms may be itchiness, achiness, and headaches. While the disease is generally not disabling, it may cause some difficulty with various types of movement. For example, as the condition causes shaking in the arms, a person with benign fasciculation syndrome generally may experience trouble writing.
Typically, an individual with the syndrome will experience more severe symptoms during the night or when a person becomes stressed or overexerts himself. How long symptoms last varies from months to years. Also, symptoms may go into periods of remission and then reappear.
At some point, most people have some sort of twitching episode in their lives. Sometimes, twitching becomes very prevalent and occurs in several body parts; if this is the case, the individual may be advised to seek medical help. The syndrome is detected by a neurologist who examines a person’s reflexes and conducts strength tests.
The condition can also be discovered through blood tests and biopsies. Some doctors may recommend a electromyography, which measures nerve damage. Since the syndrome does not affect the nerves, a normal electromyography may rule out other disorders and indicate benign fasciculation syndrome.
The exact cause of the syndrome is difficult to pinpoint. The syndrome is complex, as it is not understood whether the condition affects the muscles themselves or motor nerves. Overexertion and attention deficit disorder may be contributing factors that may lead to the condition.
No treatment completely eliminates the effects of the syndrome. Some beta blockers and anti-seizure medications have been effective in treating the condition. Also, treating the condition like an anxiety and using sedatives may also help. Proactive methods to reduce stress including exercising, getting enough sleep, and decreasing the amount of caffeine in the diet may also prove effective.