Tourettes
Tourettes Syndrome
- Is a problem with the nervous system that causes people to make sudden movements or sounds.
Causes
- Tourette's has been linked to different parts of the brain, including an area called the basal ganglia, which helps control body movements. Differences there may affect nerve cells and the chemicals that carry messages between them. Researchers think the trouble in this brain network may play a role in Tourette's.
- Doctors don't know exactly what causes these problems in the brain, but genes probably play a role. It's likely that there is more than one cause.
Complex and Simple
tics are classified as either simple or complex
-Complex tics are distinct, coordinated patterns of movements involving several muscle groups.
such as:
- sniffing or touching objects,
- hopping,
- jumping,
- bending,
- or twisting.
More complex vocal tics include words or phrases. Perhaps the most dramatic and disabling tics include motor movements that result in self-harm such as punching oneself in the face or vocal tics including coprolalia (uttering socially inappropriate words such as swearing) or echolalia (repeating the words or phrases of others).
- Simple motor tics are sudden, brief, repetitive movements that involve a limited number of muscle groups
Such as:
- eye blinking
- nose twitching
- head jerking
- shoulder shrugging
Facts
- 10,000 Americans have full-blown tics but more people have a milder form of the disease.
- Starts in childhood
- boys have it more than girls
- it gets better as children grow up
- first tics that occur are usually motor tics
- tics are not the same for everyone
Mediation
- Hadol, Orap, Prolixin- works dopamine to control tics
- Catapres and Tenex- to lower high blood pressure
- Concerta, Ritalin and Adderall- can help them pay attention
- Therapy
Tim howard
Howie Mandel
Howie Mandel is well-known as the creator of several TV shows as well as a comedian despite dealing with Tourette’s syndrome. Some of his most well-known shows include “St. Elsewhere” and “Bobby’s World.” In the past, Howie has been clear that he feels that his condition has not held him back on his path to success. In fact, he was voted to the list of the 100 Best Stand Up Comedians of All Time, which serves as further proof that TS does not mean the end of a successful career.