Health encyclopaedia

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Tourette's syndrome

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
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Complications

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