Healthopedia.com - Your Health
Encyclopedia

Set Homepage Email Page Favorites      

 
  Home
  Health Centers
  Medical Encyclopedia
  Drugs & Medications
  Diseases & Conditions 
  Medical Symptoms
  Medical Tests & Exams
  Surgery & Procedures 
  Injuries & Wounds
  Diet & Nutrition
  Special Topics
  Pictures & Images      


Google
 
Web Healthopedia.com

You are here : Healthopedia.com > Medical Encyclopedia > Diseases and Conditions > Tourette Syndrome
      Category : Health Centers > Brain and Nervous System

Tourette Syndrome

Alternate Names : Gilles De La Tourette Syndrome, Multiple Tic Syndrome

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors | Symptoms & Signs | Diagnosis & Tests | Prevention & Expectations | Treatment & Monitoring | Attribution


Tourette syndrome is an inherited disorder that causes a person to make involuntary movements and sounds.

What is going on in the body?

A person with Tourette syndrome doesn't show any unusual behavior early in life. During the teenage years, however, he or she may begin to blink a lot and make facial grimaces or twitches, called tics. The person may also begin to experience uncontrolled movements of the head and limbs.

Later, a person with Tourette syndrome will begin to make unusual sounds or blurt out inappropriate words. The words may be curse words and are often repeated several times.

What are the causes and risks of the disease?

Many cases of Tourette syndrome occur randomly, but other cases tend to run in families.

Tourette syndrome affects 1 in 2,500 males. Females are affected less frequently.


   

Next section

   

Tourette Syndrome: Symptoms & Signs

Author: Ronald J. Jorgenson, DDS, PhD, FACMG
Reviewer: Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed: 05/07/01









Content provided by The Patient Marketing Group, Inc.

Copyright © 2010 Healthopedia.com All Rights reserved.
About Us | Help/FAQ | Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy | Advertising Policy | Accessibility | Terms of Use
Contact Us | Link to Us

HONcode accreditation seal.

We comply with the HONcode standard for health trust worthy information: verify here.


The information provided herein is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. The information should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call your local emergency number for all medical emergencies. Use of this online service is subject to the disclaimer and the terms and conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
Page Last Updated: 6th April, 2009