Photo: Wikipedia Benign crampy fasciculation syndrome: causes and symptoms Benign crampy fasciculation syndrome is persistent muscle twitching, tingling, or numbness in one or more muscles. Muscle twitching is usually not a cause for concern, but a person should see a doctor to avoid serious complications.
Benign crampy fasciculation syndrome is rare and can be confused with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Photo: Wikipedia
(ALS), which is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
What is benign crampy fasciculation syndrome?
Most people experience muscle twitching, typical examples include twitching of the eyelids or leg spasms. Muscles contain motor units - groups of muscles and nerve fibers that work together. Fasciculations occur when one or more motor units begin to move of their own accord and get out of the control of the brain; as a result, movements can be unexpected. Benign crampy fasciculation syndrome causes chronic muscle twitching that can last for long periods of time.
Causes of benign crampy fasciculation syndrome
Benign crampy fasciculation syndrome is rare, and the exact cause is still unknown. One theory is that this is a response to a viral infection. The fasciculations themselves can have a variety of causes, including the use of certain substances or drugs, especially allergy medications.
Drugs that can cause fasciculations:
beta-adrenergic agonists;
chlorpheniramine;
dimensionhydrinate;
diphenhydramine;
nortriptyline;
methylphenidate;
pseudoephedrine.
The twitching usually goes away when the person stops taking the medication.
Muscle twitching can be the result of injury or symptoms of anxiety or depression. They can sometimes be associated with other stressful symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome, heartburn, and headache.
Some people who are deficient in certain minerals, such as magnesium or calcium, may also develop muscle twitching.
Fasciculations can be associated with other factors, such as:
physical exercise;
alcohol consumption;
smoking;
fatigue;
consumption of caffeine.
Symptoms of benign crampy fasciculation syndrome
The most common symptom of this condition is twitching of the thigh or lower leg muscles.
The twitching is most noticeable when the body is at rest. After a while, the person may also experience muscle pain and a feeling of weakness. More than 70% of people experience benign crampy fasciculation syndrome. These people may also experience muscle numbness and cramps. Symptoms can cause stress and anxiety.
Other symptoms of fasciculation:
itching and trembling in the muscles;
sudden rapid contractions or involuntary muscle spasms;
muscle stiffness;
general weakness.
anxiety symptoms such as a lump in the throat, headache, or shortness of breath.
Diagnostics of the benign crampy fasciculation syndrome
When diagnosed, your doctor will check your tendon reflexes and ask about your medical history and stress level. Most of the diagnosis is aimed at excluding other more serious diseases, such as multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. If the doctor thinks the person has a serious condition, they will order a blood test and electromyography (EMG) to rule out nerve damage.
Treatment of benign crampy fasciculation syndrome
There is currently no cure for this condition. Doctors may prescribe medications to relieve twitching or seizures. Certain anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants can help people with pain and inflammation. If a blood test reveals a mineral deficiency, the person can use supplements.
To reduce anxiety, your doctor recommends:
Meditation, yoga, or soothing music.
Spend time with your pet.
A healthy diet rich in whole foods and nutrients.
Probiotics, which are found in foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, and kefir.
If symptoms persist, worsen, or worsen a person's quality of life, they should see a doctor to discuss treatment options.
Benign crampy fasciculation syndrome and lateral and amyotrophic syndrome have the same symptoms, but they are different disorders.
A key symptom of ALS is muscle wasting. The affected muscles atrophy and shrink over time. This means that the person with ALS feels weaker. In benign cramp-fasciculation syndrome, muscle atrophy does not occur.
Although muscle fasciculation occurs in both cases, it is more common in benign crampy fasciculation syndrome. Muscle twitching occurs during rest, but stops when the person begins to work the muscles. With ALS, the twitching may start in one place, but will often spread to other muscles nearby.
If a person experiences persistent muscle twitching and is not diagnosed, they should see a doctor to rule out any other possible causes.
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