24 June 2020 Author : Ana Calado What are tics? Tics are sudden, rapid, recurring, purposeless, non-rhythmic movements - motor tics - or sounds and vocalizations - vocal tics. Tics can be simple and brief, such as blinking eyes, shrugging your shoulders, clearing the throat, grunting, but they can also be complex when last longer, combine several simple tics, socially inappropriate words (coprolalia) or repetition of sounds and words from other people (echolalia). It is possible to suppress the tics with a conscious effort, but only for a short period, since the compulsion of the tic becomes overwhelming. Generally, tics do not occur during sleep, but can aggravate with anxiety or fatigue. Tics usually appear in childhood, between the ages of 4 and 12, and reach greater severity in adolescence. They may be transitory lasting less than one year, or may be chronic, when they remain beyond one year. In some cases, tics occur in families and, therefore, it is thought that there may be some genetic factors involved. Tics can also be symptoms of other neurological diseases, for example Wilson's disease and Huntington's disease, or secondary to encephalitis. What is Tourette's syndrome? Tourette's syndrome was first described in the 19 th century by the french neurologist George Gilles de la Tourette. It is a neurological disorder characterized by the presence of chronic motor and vocal tics , therefore lasting more than a year. This disease usually appears before the age of 18 and is more common in males. Most tics tend to disappear however they can persist into adulthood in about 1% of cases. Heredity is believed to be an important factor in the development of Tourette's syndrome, although the cause of the disease is not completely understood. The diagnosis of Tourette's syndrome is clinical, based on the symptoms and their duration. Diagnostic tests may be necessary to eliminate the possibility that other associated neurological diseases are present. If symptoms are mild, it is important that children and parents remain calm. Tics tend to disappear if the situation is explained and understood and if the family, teachers, and colleagues adopt a good strategy and do not pay attention to the tics. In the most severe and persistent cases, it may be necessary to resort to cognitive-behavioral therapy and, in cases where tics interfere with activities and have a social impact, medications to control symptoms may be indicated. Meet the neurology team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
