Tourette Disorder

 Tourette (too-RET) syndrome is a disorder that involves repetitive movements or unwanted sounds (tics) that can't be easily controlled. For instance, you might repeatedly blink your eyes, shrug your shoulders or blurt out unusual sounds or offensive words.

Tics typically show up between ages 2 and 15, with the average being around 6 years of age. Males are about three to four times more likely than females to develop Tourette syndrome.

Although there's no cure for Tourette syndrome, treatments are available. Many people with Tourette syndrome don't need treatment when symptoms aren't troublesome. Tics often lessen or become controlled after the teen years.

Symptoms

Tics — sudden, brief, intermittent movements or sounds — are the hallmark sign of Tourette syndrome. They can range from mild to severe. Severe symptoms might significantly interfere with communication, daily functioning and quality of life.

Tics are classified as:

Simple tics. These sudden, brief and repetitive tics involve a limited number of muscle groups.

Complex tics. These distinct, coordinated patterns of movements involve several muscle groups.

Tics can also involve movement (motor tics) or sounds (vocal tics). Motor tics usually begin before vocal tics do. But the spectrum of tics that people experience is diverse.

Common motor tics seen in Tourette syndrome

Simple tics                               Complex tics

Eye blinking                           Touching or smelling objects

Head jerking                          Repeating observed movements

Shoulder shrugging              Stepping in a certain                                                    pattern          

Eye darting                             Obscene gesturing

Nose twitching                       Bending or twisting

Mouth movements                Hopping

In addition, tics can:

Vary in type, frequency and severity

Worsen if you're ill, stressed, anxious, tired or excited

Occur during sleep

Change over time

Worsen in the early teenage years and improve during the transition into adulthood

Before the onset of motor or vocal tics, you'll likely experience an uncomfortable bodily sensation (premonitory urge) such as an itch, a tingle or tension. Expression of the tic brings relief. With great effort, some people with Tourette syndrome can temporarily stop or hold back a tic.

When to see a doctor

See your child's pediatrician if you notice your child displaying involuntary movements or sounds.

Not all tics indicate Tourette syndrome. Many children develop tics that go away on their own after a few weeks or months. But whenever a child shows unusual behavior, it's important to identify the cause and rule out serious health problems.

Causes

The exact cause of Tourette syndrome isn't known. It's a complex disorder likely caused by a combination of inherited (genetic) and environmental factors. Chemicals in the brain that transmit nerve impulses (neurotransmitters), including dopamine and serotonin, might play a role.

Risk factors

Risk factors for Tourette syndrome include:

Family history. Having a family history of Tourette syndrome or other tic disorders might increase the risk of developing Tourette syndrome.

Sex. Males are about three to four times more likely than females to develop Tourette syndrome.

Complications

People with Tourette syndrome often lead healthy, active lives. However, Tourette syndrome frequently involves behavioral and social challenges that can harm your self-image.

Conditions often associated with Tourette syndrome include:

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Autism spectrum disorder

Learning disabilities

Sleep disorders

Depression

Anxiety disorders

Pain related to tics, especially headaches

Anger-management problems

Treatment:

It usually starts during childhood, but the tics and other symptoms usually improve after several years and sometimes go away completely. There's no cure for Tourette's syndrome, but treatment can help manage symptoms.

A treatment known as median nerve stimulation (MNS) can significantly reduce tic frequency, tic intensity and the urge-to-tic in people with Tourette syndrome (TS), according to a new study at the University of Nottingham in the U.K

Although there's no cure for Tourette syndrome, treatments are available. Many people with Tourette syndrome don't need treatment when symptoms aren't troublesome. Tics often lessen or become controlled after the teen years.