Tourette Syndrome
Tourette syndrome affects the nervous system. The condition causes “tics”. Those who experience tics often have sudden movements, twitches or sounds. The body of a person with tics will not stop doing these things. A person might make a murmur sound without meaning to. Tics are akin to hiccups. Although you may not enjoy hiccuping, your body will eventually do it. It is difficult to stop a tic, even for a brief moment. A person has to eventually do a tic. Tourette syndrome can affect people from all races and ethnicities. The boys are three to five time more affected than the girls.
Tourette syndrome is a condition in which people clear their throat or blink repeatedly. Some people may speak words they do not need to. Most people do not need treatment until they are very concerned about their symptoms. Tourette syndrome affects around 100,000 Americans, although some people have milder symptoms. The condition can start in childhood, and it is more common in boys than in girls. Sometimes symptoms improve as children grow older. They disappear completely for most people.
Visit your child’s doctor if you notice that your child has involuntary movements or sounds. Tourette syndrome is not the only cause of tics. The majority of children develop tics which disappear by themselves after a few months or weeks. It’s important to rule out serious health conditions when a child displays unusual behavior. Children with TS and those without a diagnosis are included in studies that include approximately 162 children. In the United States, a parent’s report is used to diagnose tics in one out of 360 children aged 6-17 years. It is recommended that nearly half of children with TS are not diagnosed.
Tourette syndrome is a type of Tic disorder. Tics consist of repetitive movements and vocalizations that are involuntary. These are the main symptoms of a group of childhood neurological conditions collectively called Tic Disorders. They include Tourette syndrome (TS), Vocal Tic Disorder and Persistent Motor and Provisional Tic Disorder. The three Tic Disorders are named according to the type of tics present (vocal or motor tics, phonic tics, or both), and the duration that they are present.
Motor tics are the movements that occur in the body. Motor tics include jerking your arm, blinking and shrugging shoulders. Vocal tics are sounds made by a person’s voice. Vocal tics can include clearing the throat, singing, or shouting out a phrase or a word. Tics are either complex or simple. Simple tics are limited to a few body parts. Sniffing or squinting your eyes are examples.
