The key difference between ALS and benign fasciculation syndrome is that ALS is a condition characterized by rapid muscle twitches in multiple muscles at the same time while benign fasciculation syndrome is a condition characterized by rapid muscle twitches at a single site in a single muscle at a time.
A fasciculation is a muscle twitch. Fasciculation is the spontaneous, involuntary contraction and relaxation of muscle fibers, particularly involving the fine muscle fibers. Fasciculation can be benign or associated with more serious conditions. They are too weak to move a limb; however, they can be easily felt by patients and seen by clinicians. ALS and benign fasciculation syndrome are two medical conditions characterized by fasciculations. But they are different conditions with different etiologies.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is ALS
3. What is Benign Fasciculation Syndrome
4. Similarities – ALS and Benign Fasciculation Syndrome
5. ALS vs. Benign Fasciculation Syndrome in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – ALS and Benign Fasciculation Syndrome
7. Summary – ALS vs. Benign Fasciculation Syndrome
What is ALS?
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal type of motor neuron disease. It is usually characterized by progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain. ALS is of two types: sporadic and familial. Moreover, the symptoms of ALS are twitching and cramping of muscles, loss of motor control in the hands and arms, impairment in the use of arms and legs, tripping and falling, dropping things, persistent fatigue, uncontrollable laughing or crying, slurred or thick speech, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, and paralysis. ALS causes both groups of motor neurons (extend from brain to spinal cords to muscle and extend from spinal cords to muscle) to gradually deteriorate and then die. This can be due to familial mutations in the C9orf72 gene or de novo mutations in SOD1, C9orf72 or environmental factors. The complications arising from ALS make voluntary movements of the arms and legs impossible and lead to impaired breathing, ultimately resulting in respiratory failure.
Figure 01: ALS
ALS can be diagnosed through blood and urine tests, muscle and nerve biopsy, spinal tap, X-ray, MRI and electromyography (EMG), and nerve conduction study (NCS). Furthermore, treatment options for ALS may include physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory therapies, along with nutritional support. Some medications, such as Tofersen, may be prescribed. Additionally, heat or whirlpool therapy can help manage muscle cramping, and exercise in moderation is also considered.
What is Benign Fasciculation Syndrome?
Benign fasciculation syndrome is characterized by persistent spontaneous contractions of muscle fibers in the absence of an underlying pathological cause. Benign fasciculation has only muscle twitches and no other symptoms. Muscle twitches can occur anywhere in the body but are often observed in and around the calves, thighs, eyelids, nose, arms, and hands. Benign fasciculation syndrome can be caused by stress, lack of sleep, consuming caffeine, or alcohol, anxiety and depression, strenuous exercise, recent viral infection, hyperthyroidism, the non-stimulant drugs such as Benadryl, Dramamine, Sudafed, and Ritalin. The complications resulting from this disease include fatigue or weakness, paraesthesia or numbness, muscle cramping or spasms, anxiety, and somatic symptom disorders.
Benign fasciculation syndrome can be diagnosed through neurological examination, electromyogram (EMG), blood tests such as thyroid and calcium blood tests, and imaging tests of the brain and spinal cord. Furthermore, treatment options for benign fasciculation syndrome are avoiding possible triggers of muscle twitches such as stress, caffeine, and strenuous exercise, giving vitamin B complex, naftidrofuryl, and calcium channel blockers like diltiazem.
What are the Similarities Between ALS and Benign Fasciculation Syndrome?
- ALS and benign fasciculation syndrome are two medical conditions characterized by fasciculations.
- Persistent muscle twitches characterize both conditions.
- These conditions can be diagnosed through neurological examination, blood tests, and imaging tests.
- They can be treated through specific medications.
What is the Difference Between ALS and Benign Fasciculation Syndrome?
ALS is a condition characterized by rapid muscle twitches in multiple muscles at the same time, while benign fasciculation syndrome is a condition characterized by rapid muscle twitches at a single site in a single muscle at a time. This is the key difference between ALS and benign fasciculation syndrome. Furthermore, ALS can be caused by deteriorating motor neurons due to familial mutations in the C9orf72 gene or de novo mutations in SOD1, C9orf72, or environmental factors. On the other hand, benign fasciculation syndrome can be caused by stress, lack of sleep, consuming caffeine or alcohol, anxiety and depression, strenuous exercise, a recent viral infection, hyperthyroidism, and the non-stimulant drugs such as Benadryl, Dramamine, sudafed and Ritalin.
The infographic below presents the differences between ALS and benign fasciculation syndrome in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
FAQ: ALS and Benign Fasciculation Syndrome
How do I know I don’t have ALS?
Muscle weakness, often on only one side of the body, slurred or slowed speech, and muscle weakness in your mouth and tongue are the signs of ALS. Identifying the signs of ALS will help you to understand whether you have ALS or not.
What is the first thing people notice with ALS?
The first thing people will notice in ALS is muscle weakness that spreads and gets worse over time.
Does ALS cause tingling?
Early symptoms of ALS include tingling or weakness in arms or legs,
Summary – ALS vs. Benign Fasciculation Syndrome
Fasciculation refers to involuntary rapid muscle twitches. ALS and benign fasciculation syndrome are two medical conditions characterized by fasciculations. ALS refers to rapid muscle twitches in multiple muscles at the same time, while benign fasciculation syndrome refers to rapid muscle twitches at a single site in a single muscle at a time. Moreover, ALS is mainly characterized by muscle twitching, weakness in an arm or leg, trouble swallowing, or slurred speech. On the other hand, benign fasciculation has only muscle twitches and no other symptoms. This summarizes the difference between ALS and benign fasciculation syndrome.
Reference:
1. “Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. McDowell, Sandy. “Benign Fasciculation Syndrome: Symptoms and Treatment.” Healthline, Healthline Media.
Image Courtesy:
1. “ALS clinical picture” By Okumiya K, Wada T, Fujisawa M, Ishine M, Garcia Del Saz E, Hirata Y, Kuzuhara S, Kokubo Y, Seguchi H, Sakamoto R, Manuaba I, Watofa P, Rantetampang AL, Matsubayashi K – BMJ Open (2014) – “Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and parkinsonism in Papua, Indonesia: 2001–2012 survey results” (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia