The full
name of the condition is Gilles de la Tourette's
Syndrome but it is usually called Tourette's
Syndrome or just TS. George Gilles de la
Tourette was the doctor who first recognised
the symptoms.
TS is known
to run in families. It usually
begins in childhood or the teenage years
and is caused by problems with the development
of the central nervous system (which is
made up from the brain and spinal chord).
Early symptoms
include repeated twitches, blinks or jerks
which are referred to as 'tics'. In
some cases, these may progress to more serious
symptoms such as complex physical movements,
grunts, coughs, noises or words. However,
many people with TS have only mild symptoms
which decrease with age.
It is thought
that many mild cases of TS go undiagnosed.
Symptoms
The tonsils
become swollen and red and the surfaces
may show spots of pus coming from the clefts
(tonsillar crypts). Sometimes material from
the crypts forms a whitish membrane over
the surface. The lymph nodes in your neck,
just behind or under the angle of the jaw,
are swollen and tender to the touch.
You may
have a sore throat, pain on swallowing,
a headache, a feeling of being unwell (malaise)
and a fever, which may be very high in young
children. Constipation and earache are also
common.
Your tongue
may well be furry and your breath unpleasant.
You may find it rather difficult to open
your mouth and your speech may be thickened.
Causes
The underlying
cause of TS is not fully understood.
It is accepted that TS runs in families,
but exactly how it is inherited and which
genes are involved are not yet known.
TS is known
to stem from the development of the brain
and spinal chord (the central nervous system)
and to involve neurotransmitters (chemicals
that carry signals within the brain).
It is possible that some parts of the central
nervous system develop unevenly, and that
this causes the symptoms of TS.
Treatment
People with
mild TS often do not require any treatment
and can learn to live with the symptoms.
However, support and advice can often be
helpful in this process.
A number
of drug treatments are used where the symptoms
are more pronounced. The drugs used
will depend on the nature of the tics and
how severe they are. It may be necessary
to try several drugs before one is found
that suits the person concerned.
People with
TS may be referred to a variety of different
health care professionals for treatment
such as paediatric neurologists and child
psychologists. In some hospitals, these
specialists work together in a multidisciplinary
team to provide the best possible care.
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Tourette's Syndrome
