Tourette’s Syndrome

Tourette’s syndrome or the Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is named after the doctor who first discovered the symptoms. Tourette’s Syndrome or TS is believed to be a genetic disorder, however there are cases of sporadic Tourette’s syndrome which are not inherited genetically. Tourette’s syndrome occurs during the teenage years when the central nervous system is in developing stages. Males are affected by the Tourette’s syndrome three times more than females. Some of the early symptoms include twitching, blinking and jerking and it may escalate to vigorous physical movements, coughs, grunts, words and noises. Some cases Tourette’s syndrome are mild and fade away with age and some believe that few cases go undetected.

Symptoms

Some of the prominent symptoms are physical tics, which are also known by the name motor tics, include blinking, twitching, and movements of the head, foot and mouth and vocal tics include coughing, repeating words, snorting and clearing throat.

The symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome usually show up at the age of 7 or in the early teens. In some cases the symptoms slowly decreases with age. There are few rare cases when the symptoms get worse. Some of them include physical movements such as bending, jumping, making obscene gestures or kicking, throat noises like screaming, barking and snorting and repeating words that are said by someone or words that are obscene.

Causes

The causes of Tourette’s syndrome are unknown. It is believed that it is genetically inherited but nobody knows how it is genetically inherited and the genes involved. Research shows that it is cause during the developmental stages of the brain and the spinal chord and that it has to do something with the improper working of neurotransmitters. It is thought that the cause for Tourette’s syndrome may be due to uneven development of the central nervous system. The causes for sporadic Tourette’s syndrome are yet to be found out.

Diagnosis

Tourette’s syndrome can be diagnosed only by the symptoms and the age at which these symptoms occur. There are cases when the Tourette’s syndrome goes undetected due to the fact that the symptoms are very mild and it gradually decreases with age and also erroneously diagnosed as a psychological problem.

Treatment

Patients with mild symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome do not require treatment as they are less frequent; however, it is important that one is in constant touch with the doctor for advice. There are a number of medicines available for the treatment of Tourette’s syndrome and it type of medicine used will depend on the nature and severity of the disease. It is usually the case that the patient has to try different medicines before continuing the one that suits him. People with Tourette’s syndrome may be asked to visit professionals like child psychologists and paediatric neurologists.

Complications

Half of the children suffering from Tourette’s syndrome are impulsive, demanding, restlessness, impatient and have a short attention span. If not treated the child’s social development and education will be badly affected.