Benign fasciculation syndrome is characterized by muscular twitching (twitching of voluntary muscles) and is a neurological disorder. These twitching can occur anywhere in the body but more prominent on eyelids, legs and arms than other parts. Some people may have twitches in the tongue muscles also. And the twitches can be continuous or occasional. This type of twitching is called fasciculation.
Symptoms :
Twitching or fasciculation of involuntary muscles is the major symptom of benign fasciculation syndrome. Some of the other signs of this disorder are muscle pain, extreme tiredness, anxiety, paraesthesia, cramps in the muscles due to twitching and globus sensation. For some people there can be itching, muscle stiffness and tremors in the body due to muscular twitching. Most of the above symptoms will develop when the muscles are at rest and not on activity.
The symptoms will last for few minutes and you can get them again several times a day. It can continue for months and even years and is more prominent if you are stressful. There will be period of increased fasciculation followed by remission. Though benign fasciculation syndrome is related to stress or anxiety still it is a real diagnostic disorder. If you experience more symptoms during stress the symptoms will disappear if the stress causing factor is removed.
Causes :
Benign fasciculation syndrome is of neurological origin and hence can be a disease of motor nerves. Exact cause of BFS is not known. Experts believe that it can be due to muscular dystrophy and spinal injury and Lyme disease or due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. As per the research results done by Mitsikostas and his group fasciculation can be caused due to obesity and heightened anxiety. Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD can get this problem in later years.