Archive for March, 2011
Understanding The Genetic Basis Of Tourettes
Did you know that Tourettes Sydrome (also known as TS) effects over 200,000 Americans in our great nation? Symptoms usually commence in childhood and thankfully, are not degenerative in nature. Pharmacological medications have evolved that help limit or even entirely suppress symptoms thanks to new technological advances. TS symptoms may decrease or diminish during sleep, but rarely completely go away which can make sleeping difficult at times.
The newest forms of treatment methods include looking into the genetic basis for Tourettes. Scientists have discovered based on twin and family studies that TS is indeed inherited. Recent research has yielded interesting findings as well. Previous information sited that those with Tourettes must only receive one of the defective genes to exhibit signs and symptoms of TS. Experts now believe that environmental factors and minor chromosomal differences result in the development of full-blown or even mild cases of Tourettes Syndrome. Some individuals may be carriers for TS, but not develop the condition at all based on complex genetic combinations. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tourette’s Syndrome Treatment
Tourette syndrome, or more simply Tourette’s, is a brain disorder that involves multiple physical and verbal tics. The severity of an individual with Tourette’s tics can vary considerably. It is believed that both genetic and environmental factors are involved in causing the disorder. Individuals with Tourette’s have a variety of different treatment options.
There is no cure for Tourette syndrome. The goal for treatment of the disorder is to help the individual manage the condition. The majority of people with Tourette’s have a mild form of the disorder and do not need medication. For many, education and psychobehavioral therapy are sufficient to help them manage the disorder.
In more severe cases, medications may be prescribed. However, there is no medication on the market that has been invented specifically for treating Tourette’s. Clonidine, or the clonidine patch is typically one of the first prescribed mediations for a patient with Tourette’s. It has historically been prescribed as anti-hypertensive and has become more accepted in treating insomnia. Read the rest of this entry »
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Obliterate Facial Tics And Social Embarrassment
Facial tics are characterized by impulsive, seemingly reflex muscle contractions of entire muscle groups in the face. These contractions are regularly repetitive in nature, and appear to have no valid purpose. Common tics are exaggerated eye blinking, squinting, nose wrinkling, facial grimacing or even vocalizations such as throat clearing or grunting. Tics often show up during childhood, and often resolve as a child ages. This is not always the situation, though, and many people continue to exhibit tics as they enter adulthood.
Tics often increase in rate as a sufferer feels stress or discomfort. Victims who suffer from tics tell us that they are able to feel a tic approach. It’s often described as an overwhelming feeling of tension and the compulsion to perform the tic to eliminate the tension; somewhat akin to the approaching urge to yawn or sneeze which relieves the victim. Controlling a tic can cause stress, which can lead to the beginning of another tic. Tics are often described as being uncontrolled but research and reports from victims indicates they are indeed voluntary motions that can be controlled by the sufferer.
A tic can manifest itself as a simple tic, as in grunting, mouth twitches or facial grimaces or it can be more complex such as is seen a lot in Tourette syndrome. Simple tics are more usual than complex tics, but they can be just as devastating to the sufferer; while a facial tic does not cause physical pain to the sufferer, it can often cause social problems or mental distress. Read the rest of this entry »
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