D2I2.
neurological

Tourette syndrome

Tourette (TS), or simply Tourette's, is a motor disorder that begins in childhood or adolescence. It is characterized by multiple movement (motor) tics and at least one vocal (phonic) tic. Common tics are blinking, coughing, throat clearing, sniffing, and facial movements. Tics are typically preceded by an unwanted urge or sensation in the affected area known as a premonitory urge, can sometimes be suppressed temporarily, and characteristically change in location, strength, and frequency. Tourette's is at the more severe end of the of tic disorders. The tics often go unnoticed by casual observers.

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Symptoms — what it feels like

  • ·Tics

Causes — why it happens

  • · with environmental influence

How it's found

  • ·Based on history and symptoms

Treatment

  • ·Education, behavioral therapy

Outlook

  • ·80% will experience improvement to disappearance of tics beginning in late teens
Plain-language summary adapted from Wikipedia. Not medical advice.