| BFS also known as 'muscle fasciculation syndrome', | | | | illnesses, exercise, anxiety or drugs. Some authorities |
| 'benign fasciculation' and 'fasciculation syndrome' is a | | | | have suggested that insecticides could also be a |
| disorder of the nervous system characterized by the | | | | causative factor as muscle fasciculation is one of the |
| uncontrolled twitching (fasciculation) of muscle groups | | | | prominent symptoms seen in organophosphate |
| in various parts of the body. It may or may not be | | | | poisoning. |
| associated with muscle cramps. Although it occurs | | | | Exercise triggers muscle twitching in the majority of |
| more commonly in the muscles of the legs, arms and | | | | BFS patients that and is probably related to the higher |
| face, it can occur in any voluntary muscles, including | | | | than normal amounts of free radicals that are released |
| those of the tongue. As its name suggests, it is a | | | | by the body during prolonged exertion. |
| benign, somewhat irksome condition that, fortunately, | | | | Free radicals are a by-product of the cell's energy |
| does not progress to a more serious neurological | | | | production therefore the longer and more intensely an |
| disorder. | | | | individual exercises the more free radicals his body will |
| The fasciculation may be localized a twitching eyelid | | | | produce. For this reason endurance athletes are |
| for instance or become far more extensive and | | | | subject to free radical overload and oxidative stress. If |
| involve several limbs or even the abdominal muscles. | | | | prolonged exercise is associated with BFS, in all |
| They may be either intermittent or continuous; in fact | | | | likelihood the cause of the twitching is free |
| most people will experience a degree of BFS at | | | | radical-induced nerve and muscle excitability. |
| sometime in their lives without realizing that they have | | | | Although there are no recognized drugs for the |
| this condition. For example, a simple facial 'tic' is a | | | | treatment of BFS, anecdotal reports suggest that |
| localized fasciculation. | | | | some individuals benefit from either pharmaceutical or |
| However, most individuals will only be aware of the | | | | natural sedatives. However no clinical trials have been |
| diagnosis of BFS when the symptoms become so | | | | done to show whether or not these products are |
| widespread and persistent that they seek medical | | | | more effective than placebos. |
| advice. | | | | As prolonged physical activity produces large quantities |
| The muscle twitching found in BFS is similar to that | | | | of free radicals and exercise is such a strong |
| seen in a more serious neurological disease, | | | | precipitating factor for BFS, oxidative stress is almost |
| amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou | | | | certainly one of the underlying pathological factors |
| Gehrig's disease or motor neuron disease. Although | | | | contributing to this condition. |
| fasciculation is a feature of both BFS and ALS that of | | | | Therefore it is not surprising to find that there is reliable |
| the former usually ceases when the affected muscle | | | | anecdotal evidence that antioxidant-rich food |
| is exercised while the twitching in ALS patients persists | | | | supplements are effective in treating this annoying, and |
| whether the muscles are working or at rest. A full | | | | often distressing, condition. |
| neurological examination and electromyography (EMG) | | | | It is also possible that even those individuals who do |
| are all that are needed to make a diagnosis of BFS | | | | not suffer from exercise induced BFS may be under |
| and exclude more serious neurological diseases. | | | | oxidative stress for other reasons and could reduce |
| Although the precise cause of BFS is unknown it may | | | | their symptoms by increasing their daily antioxidant |
| be associated with several factors including acute viral | | | | intake. |