Tourette
Syndrome is an inherited neurological disorder characterized
by repeated involuntary movements and uncontrollable vocal
sounds called tics. In a few Tourette Syndrome cases, such
tics can include inappropriate words and phrases.
The
symptoms of Tourette Syndrome generally appear before the
individual is 18 years old. Although Tourette Syndrome symptoms
range from very mild to quite severe, the majority of cases
fall into the mild category.
The
first symptoms of Tourette Syndrome are usually facial tics
- commonly eye blinking. With time, other motor tics may appear,
such as head jerking, neck stretching, foot stamping, or body
twisting and bending. It is not uncommon for a person with Tourette
Syndrome to continuously clear his or her throat, cough, sniff,
grunt, yelp, bark, or shout. A person with Tourette Syndrome
may touch other people excessively or repeat actions obsessively
and unnecessarily. A few patients with Tourette Syndrome demonstrate
self-harming behaviors such as lip and cheek biting and head
banging.
People
with Tourette Sydrome can sometimes suppress their tics for
a short time, but eventually tension mounts to the point where
the tic escapes. Tics worsen in stressful situations and improve
when the person relaxes or is absorbed in an activity. Tourette
Syndrome is diagnosed by observing the symptoms and evaluating
family history. Tics must be present for at least one year.
Tourette Syndrome is a clinical diagnosis.
The
diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome is based upon a thorough clinical
evaluation, observation and assessment of characteristic symptoms,
and a careful patient and family history. There is no definitive
diagnostic test for Tourette Syndrome as of this writing. However,
certain blood tests, other laboratory studies, or neuroimaging
techniques may be conducted to eliminate related disorders with
similar symptoms. Such neuroimaging studies may include computerized
tomography (CT) scanning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
positron emission tomography (PET) scanning, electroencephalography
(EEG), or other techniques. These tests, however, are rarely
needed in most patients with Tourette Syndrome.
The
majority of people with Tourette Syndrome require no medication,
but medication is available to help when symptoms interfere
with functioning. Tourette Syndrome medications are only able
to help reduce specific symptoms. Neuroleptic and antihypertensive
drugs can have long- and short-term side effects, and use
of stimulants is controversial. Relaxation techniques and
biofeedback may be useful in alleviating stress.
Tourette
Syndrome usually becomes apparent in children between ages 2
to 15, with approximately 50% of patients affected by age 7.
The age of symptom onset is typically before the age of 18.
Tourette Syndrome is more frequent in males than females by
a ratio of about 3 or 4 to 1. The disorder is thought to affect
0.1% to 1.0% of individuals in the general population.
There
is no cure for Tourette Syndrome; however, the condition in
many individuals improves as they mature. Individuals with
Tourette Syndrome can expect to live a normal life span. Although
Tourette Syndrome is generally lifelong and chronic, it is
not degenerative. In a few cases, complete remission occurs
after adolescence.
Merriam-Websters
Dictionary
Main Entry: Tou·rette's
syndrome
Pronunciation: tu-'rets-
Function: noun
Etymology: Georges Gille de la Tourette died 1904 French physician
: a familial neurological disorder of variable expression
that is characterized by recurrent involuntary tics involving
body movements (as eye blinks or grimaces) and vocalizations
(as grunts or utterance of inappropriate words), often has
one or more associated conditions (as obsessive-compulsive
disorder), is more common in males than females, and usually
has an onset in childhood and often stabilizes or ameliorates
in adulthood -- called also Tou.rette syndrome /-'ret-/
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