Tourettes

Tourette's Syndrome Tourette's syndrome was named after Georges Gilles De La Tourette, a French neurologist,who dealt with nine patients dealing with Tourette syndrome tics during 1885. This disorder can be in the form of words or physical movements. It can result in swearing, repetition of certain words or phases, and any other types of profanity that would not be socially acceptable. Others who don't have verbal tics are susceptible to uncontrolled physical kicks or gestures.

**What causes this disorder?** Abnormal neurotransmitters in the brain are said to be a primary contributor of tic disorders. Genetics can also contribute to this disorder, in fact 75% of cases revolve around genetic factors. These disorders are thought to be worsened if psychomotor stimulants are used medicinally. The symptoms include the presence of tics which are repetitive and purposeless movements or vocalizations.

Diagnosis and Treatments In order to have to Tourette's you have to see the symptoms before the age of 18. People are usually diagnosed after the tics are observed, because it doesn't always show up in physical and neurological examinations. There are two different types of tic disorders, motor and vocal. If these symptoms are experience you may have Tourette's.

Preventions For the less severe forms of Tourette's, like tic disorders, there is very little that can be done. One thing to do would be to reduce stress through out your life. For more severe Tourette's disorders, it will be present through out your life. This occurs with 4 to 5 per 10,000 individuals.    Citations: Diseases and disorders. vol 3. page 849. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tourette/detail_tourette.htm http://www.nim.nih.gov/medlineplus/tourettesyndrome.html