Tourettes Syndrome Darrel Arielle

Explanation Tourette's syndrome is a neurological disorder that is inherited. Tourette's involves involuntary movements(tics) and vocal tics. Tics include eye blinking, nose twitching, and other rapid movements of parts on the body

Symptoms Simple or Complex tics. Simple motor tics are sudden movements that involve muscle groups. For example, eye blinking, facial grimacing, etc. Complex tics are coordinated patterns within several muscle groups. For example, kicking motions, head shaking while shoulder shrugging. There are also simple and complex vocalizations. Simple vocalizations include throat clearing and sniffing while complex vocalizations can include obscene words and mimicking others.

Diagnosis Before a doctor will diagnose someone with TS, they will run tests such as MRI's, CT's, EEG's, and blood tests to rule out any other diseases. After the tests are complete, the doctor will diagnose TS after verifying that the patient has had both motor and vocal tics for at least a year.

Those Affected TS is more common in men than women.

Causes Emotional and Physical health and stress can all be contributuing factors of TS. Tourette's syndrome is inherited as the dominant gene that can produce very different symptoms.

Treatment Since tics often do not impair, most people are not required to take medications. However, medication is used when the tics start to impair function and everyday activity. There are some medicines that can reduce the severity of the tics. The most effective are haloperidol and pimozide

Getting Help TSA of Greater NY State 20 Thomas Jefferson Lane Snyder, NY Phone: Fax:

Interesting Information Time Howard is the Manchester United Soccer Goalie. His tics were most evident in elementary and middle school.

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