Twitch
and Shout
Tourette Syndrome,
what is it? Tourette Syndrome is a condition, which causes your body
to have uncontrollable twitches or movements and to make verbal noises
or repetitive words. I believe that people need to learn about Tourette
Syndrome because my younger brother suffers with this debilitating condition.
It used to be thought that children whom had Tourette Syndrome where
unruly and slow learners. However, medical science has only recently
begun to study this condition and is finally able to recognize Tourette
Syndrome as a serious malfunction within the brain. Tourette Syndrome's
causes, symptoms and treatment need to be researched further not only
to help my brother, but to help anyone who is affected or living with
Tourette Syndrome.
The study of Tourette
Syndrome is still in its early stages within the medical community,
although people have been living with it for hundreds of years. Medical
science believes that Tourette Syndrome may be a lack of the body's
natural ability to produce enough of the chemical known as dopamine
within the brain. Dopamine helps your brain to function normally with
a persons fine motor skills as well as proper nerve function. Thereby,
if the brain is lacking dopamine, the body will react by not working
as it should. It is also believed that Tourette Syndrome is a hereditary
condition that is usually prominent in the 'y' chromosome or males;
although females can also inherit the gene, which causes Tourette Syndrome.
Some people who lack dopamine may also suffer with related conditions
such as bi-polar disorder, hyperactivity, and attention deficit, Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder or Anxiety. All of these medical conditions have
similar symptoms and causes, but vary with severity and variety.
Living with someone
who has Tourette Syndrome can often times be difficult. Not only is
it hard to watch someone you care about shouting uncontrollable sounds
such as 'oh', 'um', 'ah', or say phrases such as "excuse me, excuse
me", over and over all day, it's hard on a family emotionally because
you feel really bad for the person with Tourette Syndrome. People with
Tourette Syndrome will often make various different body movements.
Some on them may include things such as swaying an arm in the air, kicking
a leg out, twisting ones wrists, hands, ankles or bending your body
in different shapes or positions. Also, Tourette Syndrome patients also
may make various different facial movements and have a tendency to fling
their arms or legs out and slap or hit themselves. In addition to the
verbal outbursts and physical movements, Tourette Syndrome sufferers
tend to struggle in school. Symptoms of Tourette Syndrome usually surface
by the time a person is in their second or third year of schooling,
which is when they tend to start falling behind with their studies.
Oftentimes, these children start to cover up their symptoms by portraying
themselves as the class clown or they may act up by misbehaving. There
are some people with Tourette Syndrome that have the tendency to count
nonstop within their minds. Tourette Syndrome is such a complex condition
that early diagnosis and treatment is imperative so that the patient
can get a head start on learning to live with Tourette Syndrome and
to function within a school and society to the best of their ability.
Seeing the many symptoms
of Tourette Syndrome can be alarming to direct family members when you
seemingly had a healthy child. In some children the process of learning
may come to an abrupt halt as the condition progresses. This is generally
when teachers and parents get together to discuss the situation and
realize that something is wrong. Initially a trip to the family doctor
will follow with a referral to a neurologist for further investigation.
In most cases a firm diagnosis can take up to two years during which
time the patient will have undergone several tests by a neurologist.
Early on, a neurologist may dismiss Tourette Syndrome as a nervous tic
disorder, however, as the condition persists and worsens Tourette Syndrome
is certain to surface. Some doctors may send a video camera to the home
so that the subject can be watched for a long period of time just to
be certain of symptoms. Although there are a few drugs that are used
to help control twitches, there is no cure. A common drug used initially
is an anti-psychotic such as Ritalin or Orap, but they offer little
relief. It is also important for Tourette Syndrome patients to seek
the help of a psychologist to assist with learning techniques and relaxation
exercises. In my brother's case, he has to see a physiotherapist as
well. In severe cases the muscles may become rigid so it is very important
that the muscles be stretched and exercised properly. However, with
proper medical healthcare and a support team, people with Tourette Syndrome
are capable of a long and rewarding life.
In conclusion, advise
for anyone that me be dealing with Tourette Syndrome - education is
the key. The importance for medical science to further research the
causes, symptoms and treatment of Tourette Syndrome cannot be stressed
enough. It is also important that educators learn about this condition
in order for early diagnosis and help. Although at first a diagnosis
of Tourette Syndrome may be alarming and disappointing, it is worth
noting that Calgary employs one of the greatest neurologists that himself
has Tourette Syndrome. Thereby, proving that no matter what an early
Tourette Syndrome patient may feel or experience, children with Tourette
Syndrome can be educated and are smart and articulate people who just
want to be accepted by society along with their twitches and noises.
