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