Treatment of nervous tics in children with drugs. Treatment of nervous tics in children. Nervous tic in a child: causes

Parents often worry about their child's behavior - is it normal or a symptom of a serious illness? Therefore, if a healthy baby suddenly begins to constantly blink his eyes or lick his lips, then this becomes a reason for panic. In fact, such nervous tics in children require attention, but are a very common problem in childhood.

A tic is a spasmodic movement of a muscle group that is stereotypical and irregular in nature, and also increases under stress. In children, there are several types of such twitching, differing in severity and the need for therapy.

Types of ticks

Primary
- Transient
- Chronic motor
- Tics in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome
Secondary

Transient tick

Under the influence of electrochemical impulses from the central nervous system, muscle spasms may occur. Most often this occurs in the muscles of the face, neck, torso and arms. These movements are called transient, or temporary, due to their benign nature. Usually this condition lasts no more than a year, and more often – several weeks.

External manifestations:

Licking lips and grimacing
Tongue movements (sticking it out of the mouth)
Blinking and blinking eyes
Coughing

The above signs are simple motor and vocal manifestations. There are also complex ones: throwing hair back, feeling objects. They don't happen that often.

Properties of ticks:

the duration of one spasm is extremely short
muscle spasms can occur one after another, almost without interruption
there is no certain rhythm
the nature and intensity of movements may change with age
spasms can be spontaneous or can be triggered by stress
children may suppress symptoms for a short time

Chronic tics

Motor or vocal “attacks” that persist for more than a year are called chronic. They are much less common than transient ones. Over time, manifestations may subside, but often certain signs remain for life. Many scientists believe that chronic tics are a mild form of Tourette's syndrome, while others classify them as a separate category.

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome

The first symptoms of this disease usually appear in childhood, up to 15 years. It is based on chronic tics of two types: motor and vocal. The latter often look like complex vocal phenomena: barking, grunting, and sometimes shouting swear words (so-called coprolalia). Sometimes complex motor combinations arise in the form of jumps, falls, or imitations of some activity. It is believed that there is a certain hereditary predisposition to this condition, with boys getting sick 3-4 times more often than girls. In total, about 0.5% of the world's population suffers from one form or another of the syndrome.

In addition to the above, children with Tourette syndrome have an increased risk of developing certain conditions: obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit disorder, and various behavioral disorders.

The nature of this disease is still unknown. It is believed that this result is produced by a combination of hereditary, psychological factors and environmental influences. There is a separate type of syndrome (PANDAS), which appears sharply after suffering. In this case, antibodies to the infectious agent (Streptococcus A) may mistakenly attack brain cells, leading to such consequences. Treatment of sore throat reduces and completely eliminates all symptoms of the disease, but repeated infection can “wake up” them again.

Diagnostic criteria for Tourette's syndrome

A combination of motor and speech tics (not necessarily at the same time)
Symptoms have been present for a year or more
The first signs appear before the age of 18
The condition is not associated with substance use or serious illness

Treatment of Tourette's syndrome mainly involves behavioral control and assistance in adaptation. In some cases, when children have too much difficulty socializing, antipsychotic therapy may be prescribed. This is necessary due to frequent cases of depression and self-harm in children with severe symptoms. It is important to remember that the disease can be combined with attention deficit disorder, which is treated with psychostimulants. Such therapy worsens the course of the disease, so a balanced and competent approach is necessary. In most patients, after adolescence, the manifestations of Tourette's syndrome significantly weaken.

Secondary ticks

The name “secondary tics” is not entirely accurate. The term means muscle twitching due to an underlying disease. This disease can become:

inflammation of the meninges ()
brain (encephalitis)
genetic pathologies (Huntington's disease)
mental disorders (schizophrenia)

External manifestations are similar to primary spasms (for example, nervous tics of the eyes in a child), but other symptoms are added to them.

The appearance of nausea, vomiting, confusion, and inability to move parts of the body along with twitching is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.

Why do muscle twitches occur?

The main cause of nervous tics in children (or rather, the triggering factor) is psychological maladjustment. There is a serious change in the child's lifestyle or family composition that he cannot immediately or easily cope with. Such the starting point could be the first trip to kindergarten, school, parental divorce, the birth of a brother or sister. The risk is especially high in children whose immediate relatives had a similar problem or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Frequent and prolonged watching of TV or playing on the computer does not improve the situation.

Differential diagnosis:

Eye diseases
Epileptic seizures
Chorea

Eye diseases

Parents and doctors very often forget that the cause of nervous eye tics may be in the organs of vision themselves. For example, a curled eyelash scratches the mucous membrane, the child constantly rubs his eyes and blinks, and a habitual movement is formed. Even after removing an eyelash, the “tic” may persist for some time, since it is quite difficult to get rid of the habit right away. Therefore, if you experience any twitching in the eye area, you should consult an ophthalmologist.

Epileptic seizures

Epileptic seizures are seizure-like changes in motor activity under the influence of signals from the brain. They occur at least once in a lifetime in 10% of all children, but only less than a third of cases are due to epilepsy. An attack can occur as a result of high fever, illness, suffocation, stress, and never happen again.

Some epileptic seizures cannot be confused with anything, as they are accompanied by a fall, contraction of the muscles of the entire body and loss of consciousness. But some attacks have peculiarities.

Read about the causes of epilepsy in children.

Absence seizures

The second name for this phenomenon is petit mal attacks. The child suddenly stops doing what he was doing, freezes, his gaze becomes absent, and sometimes frequent blinking occurs. Absence seizures most often occur after 5 years in girls, lasting up to 30 seconds; after the attack, the child continues to do what he left off. Such petit mals can be repeated very often during the day, accompanied by changes in the EEG (which does not happen with tics)

Simple partial seizures

Such seizures look like a turning of the head and eyes, lasting 10-20 seconds, while speech and consciousness remain intact. It is the last fact that may suggest ordinary tics. The main sign of the epileptic nature of such movements is that they cannot be controlled and terminated upon request.

Chorea

Chorea is a stereotypical “dancing” movement of any part of the body in a child. It can occur due to poisoning with medications, carbon monoxide, hereditary diseases of the nervous system, infectious processes, and injuries. Chorea cannot be controlled, although the child may try to disguise it as a purposeful movement. An important feature is the constant presence of involuntary movements; pauses rarely reach 30-60 seconds.

So, in some cases, it can be difficult to distinguish benign tics from symptoms of a serious illness. Therefore, you have to be examined by several specialists: an ophthalmologist, a psychologist or psychiatrist, a neurologist or an epileptologist, who will decide how to treat a tic in a child. Sometimes an EEG (electroencephalogram) is required to rule out epilepsy, an MRI or CT scan of the brain, and psychological tests. But in most cases, tics are harmless, so one examination by a pediatrician is enough to make a diagnosis and give parents peace of mind.

Treatment of tics

The choice of treatment for a nervous tic in a child (and its need) depends on the type of disorder.

Transient tics do not require treatment. The worst thing parents can do in this situation is to focus on the child's strange behavior. This approach will cause the baby to worry even more, which can worsen the twitching. The main principle of therapy is the elimination of a traumatic situation. Sometimes it’s enough to talk to your child about problems at school and help establish contact with peers – and the tics immediately go away.
Chronic twitching and vocalizations, as well as Tourette's syndrome, are conditions that require treatment. Often, the observation of a psychologist is enough to help the child socialize and not acquire complexes. In severe cases, drug treatment (for example, antipsychotics) is prescribed.
Secondary tics are only a symptom of the underlying disease. Therefore, therapy should be aimed at the primary disease. For streptococcal infections - antibiotics, for drug poisoning - rapid cleansing of the body, for mental illness - treatment from a psychiatrist.

Prevention

It is impossible to predict whether a child will develop muscle twitches or vocal spasms, although they occur to some degree in 25% of all children. But there are quite effective ways to reduce this risk or speed up the recovery process. For prevention it is necessary:

discuss with your child all the problems that have arisen
be especially attentive to the baby when changing his usual lifestyle
support his desire to be friends with peers
when symptoms of a nervous tic appear in children, do not focus on them, but try to distract them
organize the correct work and rest schedule
diversify the child’s daily activities (leisure, sports, studies, etc.)
limit watching television and playing games on the computer

And finally, the most important rule is to love your baby for who he is. In this case, all problems that arise will be temporary, easily solvable, and will not lead to a chronic mental disorder.

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Nervous tics in children are a neurological disorder, one of the types of hyperkinesis (violent movements). Today it is observed in almost every fifth child. Boys are affected much more often than girls. The pathology has taken one of the leading places among neurological disorders, becoming increasingly common even in newborns. But it mainly occurs in children aged two years and older. Parents have different attitudes to the problem: some are very worried about it, others, on the contrary, do not pay due attention to it. Therefore, only about 20% of the most responsible adults seek medical help for nervous tics in children. In fact, this disorder may indeed not cause serious harm to the child, and disappear on its own with age. But sometimes it can negatively affect the physical and psychological state, requiring medical attention. When a child has a nervous tic, the symptoms and treatment can be very diverse, so in this case a purely individual approach is needed.

Classification of the disorder

To figure out whether a child’s nervous tic will go away on its own or will require treatment, you need to find out the reasons for its occurrence and determine the type. If we give a general definition, then tics are short-term, rhythmic, coordinated movements. The main distinguishing feature of this disorder is that it can be partially controlled by children. They are usually able to suppress the tic for a short time, but this requires sufficient tension and subsequent release. Symptoms often intensify when a child sits in one position for a long time (for example, in transport or watching TV). During games or some interesting, exciting activities, they, on the contrary, weaken or even disappear. But this is a temporary effect, then the symptoms resume again.

According to the nature of occurrence of tics, there are:

primary (mainly having a psychological background);
secondary (appearing after injuries or diseases).

Based on their symptoms, they are divided into:

Mimic. These include facial tics: eye blinking, eyebrow twitching, lip biting, nose wrinkling, teeth grinding, various grimaces, etc.
Motor. These are tics of the body and limbs: stamping, shuffling, jumping, clapping hands, various movements of the shoulders and head, etc.
Vocal. Tics in which the vocal muscles act: coughing, sniffing, snorting, hissing, smacking, various repeated sounds or words, etc.

The most common facial actions, especially eye movements: frequent blinking, eyelid twitching. Hyperkinesis of the arms and legs is less common, but attracts more attention from parents, as do loud noises. Mild vocal symptoms can go unnoticed for a long time.

Also, nervous tics in children vary in degree of complexity. Experts distinguish the following types:

local: one muscle group is involved;
generalized: several muscle groups are involved;
simple: the movement consists of one element;
complex: a group of coordinated movements is performed.

There is also a division of the disorder according to the duration of its course; it can be transient or chronic.

Transient (or transient) tics can be of any nature and complexity, but last less than a year. Chronic tic disorder occurs daily for more than a year.

For chronic disorders, facial (especially nervous eye tics in a child) and motor disorders are typical, while vocal disorders in the chronic form are observed extremely rarely. The disease, as a rule, occurs with periods of exacerbations and remissions of varying durations.

If we talk about the age at which this disorder most often occurs, then it mainly occurs from 2 to 17 years. The disease has peculiar peaks at 3 years, 6-7 years and 12-14 years. At an early age, the most common are facial (mainly related to the eyes: blinking, eyelid twitching) and motor tics; vocal tics usually appear later. In the vast majority of cases, hyperkinesis occurs before the age of 11-12 years, characterized by an increasing course. Then the symptoms gradually decrease, and by the age of 18, more than half of the patients disappear completely.

Causes of the disorder

From birth, the formation of groups of nerve cells and their connections occurs in the child’s brain. If these connections are not strong enough, the balance of the entire nervous system is disrupted. This can cause nervous tics in the child. The crisis periods mentioned above are associated, among other reasons, with leaps in the development of the cerebral cortex.

Primary tics appear due to certain psychological or physiological reasons. They can become:

Emotional shock. This is the most common cause of nervous tics in children. Both acute psychological trauma (severe fright, quarrel, death of a loved one) and a general unfavorable situation in the family can provoke the disorder.
A change of scenery. A child's first visit to kindergarten or school quite often becomes stressful and, as a result, the cause of tics.
Unbalanced diet. Lack of vitamins, especially calcium and magnesium, can cause seizures and tics.
Exciting drinks. Tea, coffee, and various energy drinks deplete the child’s nervous system. This is manifested by emotional instability, which can result in tics.

Wrong daily routine. Insufficient sleep, overwork, sitting for a long time in front of the TV or computer, together with a lack of fresh air, lack of physical (especially gaming) activity, activate certain areas of the brain and contribute to the appearance of pathology.
The presence of helminths in the body. One of the first signs of helminthiasis is disruption of the nervous system, which can result in nervous tics. This is one of the cases when the disorder threatens even an infant.
Genetic predisposition. The presence of pathology in one of the parents will significantly increase the chance of its manifestation in the child.

The development of secondary tics occurs against the background of diseases of the nervous system or negative effects on it. Symptoms are similar to the primary disorder. Secondary disorders can be caused by:

traumatic brain or birth injury;
congenital diseases of the central nervous system;
encephalitis;
various infections: herpes, streptococcus, etc.;
opiate or carbon monoxide poisoning;
some medications (antidepressants, central nervous system stimulants, anticonvulsants);
brain tumors, etc.

Secondary tics can go away on their own only in two cases: with minor poisoning and intoxication. In all others, the initial disease must first be eliminated. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to cure it completely.

Diagnostics

Isolated cases of short-term hyperkinesis should not be ignored, but you should not panic too much about them either. It makes sense to contact a neurologist when:

nervous tic is very pronounced;
multiple tics occur;
the disorder does not go away on its own for more than a month;
The tic causes inconvenience and interferes with social adaptation.

The doctor assesses the child’s general condition, sensory and motor functions, and reflexes. Asks clarifying questions to the child and parents regarding nutrition and daily routine, emotional trauma, heredity, etc. Based on the results of the examination, the following examinations may be prescribed:

general blood analysis;
helminth analysis;
ionogram;
MRI (in the presence of head injuries);
encephalogram;
consultation with a child psychologist.

Additionally, consultations with a psychotherapist, toxicologist, infectious disease specialist, oncologist, or geneticist may be required, depending on the identified diseases or suspicion of them.

About 15% of primary disorders disappear on their own after some time. In other cases, especially with secondary pathology, treatment should be started as soon as possible in order to prevent the development of the disease.

How to treat childhood nervous tics? In the treatment of the disorder, non-drug, medicinal and folk remedies are used. As a rule, they are used in combination. Only sometimes an obstacle to drug therapy can be the child’s infancy and other reasons.

Non-drug remedies

These methods are considered basic for primary disorders, and are necessarily included in complex therapy for secondary ones. These include:

Individual psychotherapy. Since the appearance of primary tics in children is mainly associated with stress, visiting a child psychiatrist or psychologist can be very useful. After completing the course, as a rule, the emotional state becomes more stable, and the correct attitude towards the disease is formed.
Creating a favorable family environment. Parents should realize that a nervous tic is a disease and help their child cope with it. In no case should he be scolded or forced to control the manifestation of symptoms. Relatives and friends should try not to focus on the illness, maintain calm in the family, communicate more with the child, help solve his problems, and, if possible, protect him from stressful situations.
Organization of the daily routine. It is necessary to ensure a change in physical and mental activity, proper sleep, walks and games in the fresh air. Limit computer games, watching TV, playing too loud music (especially before bed), and reading in poor lighting. You should also try to minimize activities that require excessive concentration, leading to rapid fatigue and increased nervous tension.
Balanced diet. The diet should be regular and complete, containing all the necessary elements. It is imperative to include in the menu foods that contain calcium.

Medications and folk remedies

When a child has a nervous tic, treatment with medications is carried out strictly as prescribed by the doctor, both in the treatment of primary and secondary disorders. They start with the lightest drugs in the minimum dose, prescribing them to children aged one year and older. Secondary disorders are treated only after eliminating the primary disease, or together with it. Typically, according to indications, the treatment of nervous tics includes:

sedatives: Novo-Passit, Tenoten;
antipsychotropic: Sonapax, Noofen;
nootropic: Piracetam, Phenibut;
tranquilizers: Diazepam, Sibazol;
preparations containing calcium.

Of the antipsychotropic drugs, the most gentle, with the fewest side effects and contraindications, is Noofen. It shows good results in the treatment of nervous disorders in children, including tics, especially of the facial type (frequent blinking of the eyes, twitching of the eyelids, cheeks, etc.).

The use of folk remedies in the form of infusions and decoctions is also relevant, especially for young children. They have a beneficial effect on the nervous system and reduce the symptoms of the disorder. Useful for this disease:

infusion of valerian root;
chamomile tea;
infusion or decoction of motherwort;
infusion of anise seeds;
various sedatives, etc.

If your child likes herbal teas, it is better to replace all drinks with them, adding honey to them. This will help quickly relax the nervous system. Also beneficial are:

relaxing massage;
electrosleep;
aromatherapy;
various water treatments (sauna, swimming pool).

They are able to relieve tension at the moment, and in the future give greater resistance to nervous stress.

Modern living conditions, especially in large cities, are associated with constant stress. The immature children's nervous system is especially sensitive to them, and if a child has a predisposition to nervous tics, the likelihood of their occurrence is quite high. But it is important to know that this disease is completely curable today. Having completed the necessary course and following preventive measures in the future, you can forget about this unpleasant disease forever.

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Tics are stereotyped, repetitive movements. They usually first appear in children aged 3 to 5 years. Tics are characterized by a wave-like course: periods of exacerbations, which usually last about 1.5 months, are replaced by periods of remission.

Types of tics in children

Depending on the severity, tics can be local or widespread. Localized tics involve one region, such as the head. The most common local tic is blinking. Common tics include several regions. Frequently encountered common tics are jumping, jerking of the arm or shoulder.

Tics can be single or multiple. Individuals are characterized by one stereotypical movement, while multiples are characterized by a combination of them. Tics can replace each other over time. For example, blinking is replaced by nose behavior, then both tics occur simultaneously. Other regions of the body may also be involved.

In addition to motor ones, there are vocal tics. They are characterized by stereotypical pronunciation of any sounds (coughing, grunting, etc.). They can be combined with motor tics, or exist in isolation.

Causes of tics in children

Parents often associate the appearance of children's tics with stress and emotional turmoil. In fact, the cause of tics is a change in metabolism (dopamine and norepinephrine) in the subcortical structures of the brain. A person is born with such a predisposition, and it is often inherited.

Tics are not always caused by a stress factor. There is not always a relationship between the occurrence of tics and the stress experienced. A child can grow up in a prosperous and happy family, but one day, without any external reasons, due to the peculiarities of brain development, a mechanism turns on and clinical symptoms appear.

Often no additional examinations are required. In some cases, EMC neurologists perform an electroencephalogram in order to rule out epilepsy in a child. The prognosis for the course of the disease is favorable in most cases. In 80% of cases, tics go away on their own after adolescence and do not require treatment. They may appear only occasionally during periods of increased fatigue, tiredness and emotional stress.

Treatment of nervous tics in

According to international protocols, in most cases, tics are not treated with drug therapy. This is due to the frequency of their manifestation. Medications are prescribed only in cases where tics cause significant physical or psychological discomfort to the patient. For example, a child blinks so often that his eyes hurt. Or, for example, the grunting is so loud that it is difficult for others to be around, so the child has difficulty communicating. Vocal tics can significantly limit a child's social life and affect their self-esteem.

Any therapy for tics is symptomatic; it does not eliminate the cause of the disease. There are no completely safe drugs that have proven effectiveness in addressing the source of the problem. All of them have a number of side effects, so their use requires strict indications.

It is important to assess how much discomfort the tics are causing your child. Often, parents insist on prescribing drug therapy because they are worried that the child is experiencing inconvenience and difficulty communicating with peers. But for the child himself, tics are not a problem or an obstacle to successful socialization.

There are a number of drugs that have a certain effect on the course of the disease. But none of them have undergone serious clinical trials. Therefore, parents often come with complaints that at first the drug was effective, but during the next exacerbation of the disease there was no effect. This is due to the fact that the first stage of taking the drug often coincides with the period of remission, so parents have the impression of its effectiveness. Such drugs are not prescribed within the framework.

There are a number of diseases that are caused by streptococcal infection. The body begins to produce antibodies to streptococcus, which can affect subcortical structures. Therefore, if there are factors indicating a connection between childhood tics and streptococcal infection, a test is carried out for the presence of antibodies to streptococcus; if they are detected, antibacterial therapy is prescribed.

There is a non-drug method for correcting nervous tics in children - biofeedback therapy (biofeedback), when classes are conducted using a special computer program to influence the functional component of the brain. If biofeedback therapy is required, a neuropsychologist is involved in the management of the patient.

Tic spasm in children is a neurological disorder that is a type of hyperkinesis (uncontrolled body movements). Today, almost every fifth baby suffers from this pathology.

The disease occupies one of the leading places among neurological disorders. It increasingly affects newborns, although most cases occur in children over two years of age. How to recognize and treat this disease? How serious is he? What are the main reasons for its sudden appearance?

What is a nervous tic and how does it manifest itself in children?

Spasmodic movements of the same type that occur spontaneously and cannot be controlled are called nervous tics. Such reflex muscle contractions occur mainly in stressful situations. Most often, tics are observed on the neck and face in the form of twitching of the lips or eyelids, blinking, sniffing, shaking of the shoulders and head. Less commonly, tic affects the arms and legs. In some cases, the spasm may first manifest itself as a twitching of the eyelid, and then move to the lips.

About 25% of young children are susceptible to tic movements. Most often, tic symptoms appear between the ages of 6 and 7, when children become first-graders and have to adapt to a new team.

In children, this disorder can manifest itself in the form of teeth grinding, pulling out hair on the head, swinging legs and arms, noisy breathing, sneezing, grunting, etc. This disease is more common in boys.

Classification of ticks

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The main types of nervous tics in children:
motor;
vocal;
generalized;
ritual.

According to etiology, nervous tics are:

According to the nature of the flow:
transient;
chronic (remitting, stationary, progressive);
Tourette's syndrome.

According to symptoms:
local;
common;
vocal;
generalized.

Depending on the severity of the pathology:
single;
serial;
tic.

Main types
Vocal
Vocal tics (or sound tics) in children are expressed in the form of coughing, sniffing, shouting obscene words, and repeating the same words and expressions over and over again. This type of muscle spasm is divided into simple and complex tics. The first type is represented mainly by low sounds: noisy breathing, coughing, grunting, “clearing the throat.” Sometimes there are also high-pitched sounds such as whistling, squealing, “ugh”, “ay”, “i”, “af”.
The second type of vocal tics occurs in 6% of children suffering from Tourette syndrome. Patients repeat curses, shout the same words, and say something quickly and unintelligibly.
Motor
Motor tics include muscle spasms of the upper and lower extremities: stomping and shuffling, high jumping, clapping, rocking, knocking, and various movements of the head and shoulders.
If a child turns his head to the side or throws it back, blinks quickly, grimaces, sniffles, taps his fingers on the table, opens his mouth wide, or makes other body movements that are beyond his control, then this means that the child has a motor muscle tic.
This type of tic pathology is divided into:
simple (uncontrolled head movements, tension of the abdominal muscles and retraction, squinting of the eyes, etc.);
complex (vulgar gestures, jumping in one place, hitting one’s own body, repeating the same gestures).

Generalized
If nervous tics involve several muscle groups in one child at the same time, for example, the child purses his lips, jerks his shoulders, blinks frequently and at the same time makes repeated sounds, then we are talking about a generalized form of tics. The main reasons for the simultaneous contraction of all muscles in a child are:
Ritual
The group of ritual nervous tics includes muscle spasms associated with any action. For example, involuntary monotonous walking from one side to the other or in a circle, winding hair around a finger, straightening it, biting nails, twitching the earlobe, etc. Some children begin to develop complexes due to the fact that they do not notice such behavior in themselves.
Classification according to the nature of the flow
Transient tics
Most often they occur on the neck, arms, torso, and in the eye area. They do not last long and are not dangerous to the child’s health. Manifest in the form:
frequent licking of lips;
blinking, twitching and blinking of the eyes;
tongue sticking out;
frequent grimacing.

Transient tics are characterized by:
high frequency of manifestation;
lack of rhythm;
short duration;
spontaneity of manifestation.

Chronic tics
Tics that do not go away for more than one year are called chronic. This pathology is quite rare. It is sometimes called a mild form of Tourette's syndrome, but is still identified as a separate group.
This type of tic disorder is characterized by facial (nervous tic of the eye) and motor disorders. The disease is characterized by periods of exacerbation and remission of varying durations.
Tourette's syndrome
This pathology is characterized by a combination of vocal and motor tics. Tourette's syndrome affects children as young as 5 years old and can last until they are 15 years old, after which the symptoms begin to subside.
The pathology first affects the face, then the muscles of the arms, legs, neck, and torso are involved. In some patients, muscle spasms disappear without a trace, in others they remain for life.
A child with Tourette syndrome is distracted, restless, and too vulnerable. Half of adolescents suffering from Tourette's pathology develop obsessive-compulsive disorder. It manifests itself through groundless fears, thoughts and actions. These phenomena are beyond the control of the patient, so he cannot suppress them.
Causes
The main causes of tic movements in children:
Tic movements can also occur due to:
taking certain medications;
skull injuries;
intoxication;
infectious brain damage;
neoplasms (malignant or benign) in the brain;
genetic pathologies.

Features of the course of tics in children
Tic disease in children occurs in different ways. A problem may appear suddenly in a child’s life. It can just as suddenly disappear without requiring treatment. However, there are cases when the disease drags on for several years and is accompanied by pronounced symptoms and changes in the child’s behavior.
Children with tics are very irritable, constantly in a state of anxiety, it is difficult for them to concentrate on anything, and they have impaired coordination of movements and sleep. Such children do not like to travel on public transport, cannot stand the stuffiness, have difficulty falling asleep and sleep restlessly.
The disease makes itself felt when the child begins to worry about something. As soon as the baby's attention switches and he concentrates on something else (for example, a game), the tics go away on their own. The severity of the pathology depends on the child’s mood and psycho-emotional state, as well as on the time of year and time of day.
Diagnostics
In order to diagnose a child with a nervous tic, he must be examined by a neurologist, psychologist and psychiatrist. A comprehensive examination includes the following activities:
In approximately 15 cases out of 100, the primary symptoms of the disease go away on their own without requiring therapy. Other cases require immediate treatment to prevent undesirable consequences.
Treatment of tics
First of all, after diagnosing a nervous tic in a child, it is necessary to exclude the factors that provoke it. You can get rid of the problem by:
creating a favorable psychological environment in the family;
eliminating excessive physical and psychological stress;
rational nutrition;
limiting time spent at the computer, listening to loud music, reading books in a supine position;
good sound sleep.

If the pathology is severe, the child is prescribed medication. However, in some cases, nervous tics can be cured using traditional medicine methods.
Medication
The basis of drug treatment is the use of sedatives and sedatives. The type of drugs prescribed by the doctor depends on the duration of the disease and its symptoms. These can be weak (motherwort, valerian) and very strong (even psychotropic) drugs. Groups of drugs prescribed against tic:
Folk remedies
If the disease is mild, then a positive effect can be achieved using traditional medicine methods. Such therapy is usually aimed at reducing nervous tension. Before treating your child with home remedies, you should consult your pediatrician to prevent complications. Folk recipes to help overcome nervous tics in a child:
Hawthorn decoction - 2 tbsp. fruits pour 1/2 tbsp. hot water and let it brew for 15 minutes. You should drink the resulting tincture 15-20 minutes before meals.
Chamomile tincture - pour a handful of the plant’s petals into a glass of hot boiled water and let it brew for about 15 minutes. The finished decoction should be drunk every 4 hours, half a glass at a time.
Valerian root decoction - 1 tsp. the crushed root must be boiled for 15 minutes in 1 tbsp. water. The resulting medicine should be given to the baby before bedtime or 30 minutes after meals, 1 tsp.
A bath with pine needles and sea salt has a relaxing effect.

Famous pediatrician Komarovsky E.O. believes that nervous spasms in children are psychogenic in nature. For this reason, treating them with medications is not recommended. Evgeniy Olegovich emphasizes that in most cases this pathology disappears without outside help. All responsibility for the rapid improvement of the baby’s condition rests with the parents.
What should moms and dads do if their child is diagnosed with a nervous tic? The main task is to eliminate the disease through confidential conversations with the child. The sooner the cause of muscle spasms is discovered, the sooner the child will get rid of the habit of transforming the pathology into a nervous tic.

Any short-term, involuntary simple movement that occurs due to the contraction of one or more muscles following an erroneous command from the brain is called hyperkinesis. If an inappropriate movement becomes fast and repetitive, this phenomenon is called a tic.

Not only the muscular system, but also the vocal system can be affected. Along with movements, smacking, uttering some sounds, etc. are possible. The person understands that these manifestations are inappropriate, but is unable to cope with them. The problem is becoming more and more common, affecting every fourth child under the age of 10 years.

Among neurological diseases in childhood, it occupies one of the leading places. What is it - a nervous tic in a child? What are the causes of eye twitching, coughing and coughing, shoulder movements, and other symptoms? How to get rid of this, how to treat infants and what is the treatment for older children?

Causes of development depending on age

The mechanism of occurrence of tics is complex and in many respects has not been fully determined. All researchers agree that Both genetic and psychological factors are involved. Possible organic brain damage in the perinatal period is assumed.

For a nervous tic to appear, at least three factors need to coincide:

Predisposition or heredity. Often, with tics, it is discovered that the father or grandfather had the same problem, and the mother or grandmother suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Wrong upbringing. Increased control and uncompromisingness of parents, lack of communication, intra-family conflicts and a formal attitude towards the child provoke problems.
Severe stress or previous severe viral disease, surgery.

Usually, initially the child has increased anxiety, which leads to chronic stress.

Frequent minor stress also leads to this. The baby’s brain goes into constant anticipation of danger and does not rest even in sleep.

The mechanisms that adapt to stress are gradually depleted, and if the baby was predisposed to insufficient inhibition of pathological reactions by the brain, a traumatic factor can cause the onset of a tic.

Infants may experience tremor immediately after birth, which causes physiological twitching of the legs and/or arms, lower jaw, and lips. The reason can be anything: colic, crying, bathing, changing clothes, hunger. All these manifestations usually disappear without a trace within the first three months of life.

You should start to worry when the head begins to twitch. This is already a pathology, which usually intensifies over time. Tremors can occur on any part of the body; As the baby grows, it becomes more intense and longer lasting.

Inexperienced parents of infants often get scared, seeing deviation in almost every movement, and begin to sound the alarm. Most often there are no pathologies behind all this; the baby outgrows it. For peace of mind, it is enough to consult a pediatrician.

Main types, characteristics, description

Tics are classified according to several indicators:

The way a tic manifests itself is a clear characteristic that is understandable even to a non-specialist. As an example, here are several types of nervous tics in children:

Such manifestations, having arisen once, can gradually disappear on their own. But if the child does not find support in the environment, all this turns into a pathological habit and gradually transforms into a tic. This often happens after severe viral illnesses.

Exacerbations of the problem begin in autumn and winter, which is associated with increasing mental load during schooling. In summer, remission (symptoms subside) often occurs.

Complex manifestations

A complex tic involves several muscle groups: abdomen, back, limbs, neck, facial muscles, vocal muscles. In most children, nervous tics begin with blinking their eyes. Gradually, shoulder lifts, gaze opening, head turns, and limb movements are added. This prevents the child from completing written structures while learning.

May be accompanied by coprolalia (swearing), echolalia (repetition of single words), or rapid slurred speech (palilalia). In the latter case, the last word in the spoken sentence is repeated.

The clinical picture usually becomes more complicated from top to bottom: first, the facial muscles are involved in the process, then the problem affects the shoulders and arms. Later, the torso and legs join uncontrolled movements.

The most severe form is Tourette's syndrome, described in the 19th century as a disease of multiple tics.

The clinical picture together includes obsessive-compulsive neurosis due to attention deficit, vocal and motor tics.

The disease occurs with a frequency of 1 case per 1 thousand boys or per 10 thousand girls. The problem first appears at the age of 3-7 years with twitching of the shoulders and local facial tics.

One type of tics is replaced by another. After a few years, vocal tics appear, and sometimes the disease begins with them. It all depends on the age and characteristics of the body. The child’s consciousness is completely preserved during tics, but he cannot control these movements.

Peak manifestations occur between the ages of 8–11 years. Excessive movements can cause muscle pain, for example, in the cervical spine due to frequent and strong turns of the head. Due to the sudden tilting of the head back, the child may hit a hard object behind him, which leads to injury.

During exacerbations, children have problems with self-care, and they cannot attend school. At 12–15 years of age, the disease enters the residual phase - the final phase, in which the process stops, residual symptoms are observed in the clinical picture.

This is manifested by local tics. If Tourette's syndrome was not complicated by obsessive-compulsive neurosis, then in the residual phase a complete cessation of tics may occur.

Watch a video about Tourette's syndrome in children:

How to save your baby from pathology

The duration and nature of the disease is influenced by the age at which the disease began to develop:

up to 3 years - this is a symptom of an existing complex disease (brain tumor, autism, etc.);
in the period from 3 to 6 years - the problem usually drags on until adolescence, then begins to gradually decrease;
in the period from 6 to 8 years - a favorable prognosis, the problem will pass without a trace.

The main principle of therapy is an integrated approach, taking into account the individual characteristics of the body and the course of the disease. First, during a conversation with parents, the doctor finds out the possible causes of the problem, and methods of pedagogical adjustment are discussed. Drug therapy is not immediately resorted to.

You will find out what to do if your child starts having convulsions when he has a fever.

What can you do at home?

First of all, identified provoking factors are eliminated. The severity of tics decreases with lower demands on the child. You need to follow a daily routine, adjust your diet by removing foods that do not provide any benefit (soda, fast food, etc.), and establish adequate physical activity.

If recurring traumatic situations within the family are identified, family psychotherapy may be needed. Any joint activity (cleaning the apartment, cooking, baking a cake), a kind word spoken at the right time will help the child get rid of internal tension.

The easiest way to calm the nervous system is with evening walks, swimming, and warm baths with essential oils of lavender and lemon balm.

Watch a video about how a nervous tic manifests itself in a child, what are the symptoms and treatment of the disorder in children of primary school age:

How can a doctor help?

The diagnosis is made by a neurologist after examining the child. It will be good if parents prepare a film of the problem at home, since during communication with the doctor the picture may be “blurred”.

The child should also be examined by a psychologist and assessed his emotional characteristics, degree of attentiveness, memory abilities and ability to control impulsive behavior.

Consultation with a psychiatrist, magnetic resonance imaging or electroencephalogram may be necessary. The doctor may recommend taking a course of psychological correction individually or in group classes.

Specially trained specialists will correct the emotional or mental sphere that is late in development, using games, conversations or drawing, and will work on the child’s self-esteem.

A teenager in a group will be able to play out possible conflict situations with peers and, having rehearsed in advance, choose the best behavior, which will increase the chance of avoiding an exacerbation of the tic.

Treatment with medications is resorted to only when previous methods of therapy have exhausted themselves without producing results.

The drugs are prescribed by a neurologist; self-medication is strictly prohibited.

After the tic has completely disappeared, the medication continues for another six months, then the doses are gradually reduced until complete withdrawal.

What medications are prescribed

Neuroleptics that have analgesic, anticonvulsant,, antihistamine, sedative, antipsychotic effects. These are Fluphenazine, Haloperidol, Pimozide, Tiapride, Risperidone.

The main course includes auxiliary means: to maintain general well-being (vitamins), vascular drugs and nootropics that improve metabolic processes in the brain.

If obsessive-compulsive neuroses are also present, then antidepressants are added to the treatment.- Fluoxetine (Prozac), Clomipramine (Clofranil, Clominal, Anafranil).

When choosing a drug for a child, take into account the convenience of titration (dosing) of the drug. The most convenient are drops (Risperidone, Haloperidol) - using the liquid form it is convenient to measure the required maintenance volume, avoiding unnecessary overdoses. This is very important when prescribing long courses.

Folk remedies

As an easily accessible remedy, the easiest way is to use motherwort tincture, giving it to your child before bedtime. You can buy several herbs and make the collections yourself:

Grind the herbs of cudweed, thyme, valerian and chicory roots, and heather leaves. Mix by adding 2 parts of the remaining ingredients to 1 part chicory. Brew a tablespoon of the mixture, like tea, in a glass of boiling water for about half an hour. Give the child three times a day from 50 to 150 ml, depending on age. This infusion quickly relieves tension and calms you down.
To 3 parts of chamomile add 1 part of valerian root and 2 parts of mint and lemon balm. Brew in the same dosage as in the previous recipe. Take in the morning before meals and before bed from 50 to 150 ml, depending on age.

Massage and exercise

For nervous tics, massage has proven itself to be the best treatment because it is an effective remedy. But the specifics of the procedure depend on the type of disorder. The essence of all manipulations is to relax the desired area of the body.. Light stroking, rubbing, kneading are performed.

Sudden strong impacts that tone the muscles are not allowed; the purpose of all movements is relaxation. To improve blood supply to the brain, the collar area is massaged.

Improving blood circulation in the brain helps improve the condition of the entire nervous system.

An underwater massage shower also perfectly relieves muscle tension. Usually a course of 10 sessions is prescribed; you need to complete it completely, even if your health improves earlier. Exercises, in particular Strelnikova’s breathing exercises, are of great help.

Therapeutic stretching with weights will also be effective.. With the help of a complex selected by a specialist, it is possible to change muscle tone and form proper brain function. Thanks to biofeedback between muscles and brain neurons, it is possible to change existing behavioral programs.

Alternating stretching and relaxation has a beneficial effect on the entire body.

Loads should not be directed at the elasticity of one muscle, but at the entire body, the spinal column, shoulder and hip joints.

Features of treatment of infants

For infants with pathological tremor, massage is mandatory to avoid such severe consequences as hyperglycemia, pathological changes in intracranial pressure, hypocalcemia, and cerebral hemorrhage. Children's therapeutic massage for nervous tics in a child under one year old can be used from 1.5 months of age. Massage relieves muscle spasms and stabilizes the nervous system.

To conduct a massage course, contact a specialist or at least take a few initial sessions with him. Once you learn simple techniques, you can massage yourself at home.

The movements used are simple (stroking, rubbing, kneading, vibration). Learn to do them correctly. Look at which areas of the baby's body should be avoided (lymph nodes, heart, liver and spine).

For infants up to 3 months, the procedure should not exceed 5 minutes; for older children, the time can be increased, but the duration of the session should not exceed 20 minutes.

The main criterion during a massage is the child’s behavior. If he behaves restlessly or is capricious, the procedure is stopped.

Prevention of not only tics, but also any psycho-emotional problems - a friendly, calm atmosphere in the family, a balanced diet. Diet All foods and drinks that stimulate the nervous system (coffee, tea, chocolate, cocoa) are limited.

Spending time at the computer and in front of the TV should be limited to half an hour a day, and all free time should be devoted to sports, handicrafts, and walks.

The psychological aspect is very important, all parents need to remember this, so at every opportunity you should:

listen to the baby’s opinion;
avoid overwhelming tasks
praise the child if deserved;
Refer a vulnerable child to see a psychologist.

You need to be patient with your child and educate him, and not let his development take its course. The state of a child’s physical and mental health largely depends on the relationships that develop with peers in kindergarten and school, on the fulfillment of their responsibilities by parents, on their attitude towards themselves and each other.

In a comfortable microclimate, everyone's self-esteem increases, which eliminates the appearance of neuroses and similar conditions that can lead to the formation of a nervous tic.

If it happens that the tic does begin, you should not wait in the hope that it will go away on its own. Contact your doctor immediately.

What to do if you notice manifestations of a nervous tic in a child, how to cure the pathology, you will learn from this video:

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