I have had fasciculations for five months

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hi Doc I have 22 years and fasciculation is 5 months. fasciculation appear throughout the body, face, hands, especially hands, feet, neck and even sometimes the tongue. sometimes takes up to 10 seconds, and sometimes just a little shopping. I have scoliosis from his 14 years, 25 degrees. a couple of months ago that I started when very little grip and inhale hurt on the spine muscle or nerve, the left side below the shoulder blades. I do not know what. I think it started after I lay on the couch. I am very isprepadana one disease, I think it is called ALS. I was at a neurologist about 3 months, and examined my reflexes, and everything was ok, even the Babinski reflex, which we als indicator is negative. He knows we happen to me on the surface of the legs pass some kind of numbness, and hand. The doctor told me to take the electrolytes and then they were a little below normal. he says that he thinks that the electrolyte disturbance, and that has to do with the thyroid, and because my mom had a thyroid problem and he even operated. but I was very afraid, imagining, I ask, googl .. I am a student, but I can not even study for exams much to me all the burdens. You can tell me what are the chances that I have ALS, because I read that some people who have ALS, your back hurts? What do you think where the pain in my back? and if he was associated with fasciculation? comfort me, sorry for my bad english, i m from europe

Dear Anita: Sometimes involuntary muscular contractions, called fasciculations can occur as a result of Hypokalemia (low potassium), peripheral nerves or muscular problems, or simply occur in a spontaneous way with no identifiable cause, like the cramps or what is called “Benign fasciculation syndrome”. These fasciculations usually cause a temporary nuisance and typically resolve on their own without treatment. When muscle fasciculations continually recur, it is time to seek an evaluation by a physician. The primary treatment of muscle fasciculations involves methods to relax the affected muscle. This typically involves stretching, massage, and heat application. On the other hand, ALS is not likely at your age (22 years old), with no positive family history and being a female. This neuromuscular disease  commonly affects persons between 40-60 years old, mostly men, you may see cases in younger people with no risk factors, but is not common. There is no test to diagnose definitively ALS, just the symptoms and signs and get other tests done to rule out other diseases. If you are worried  or the symptoms persist and get worse,I strongly suggest a comprehensive evaluation by a Neurologist.