Best Doctors for Tourette Syndrome in Mysore

Types/Stages of Tourette Syndrome

Tourette is divided into two stages based on the age of onset:

• Childhood-onset: This stage typically begins between ages 5-7 and can last up to early adolescence. The symptoms may vary in intensity, but they often get worse in the early teenage years.

• Adult-onset: Most individuals experience an improvement in their symptoms in adulthood, some may continue to have severe tics into adulthood.

Symptoms of Tourette Syndrome

The onset of Tourette syndrome brings forth a range of indicative symptoms including:

• Motor tics involving sudden, repetitive movements such as blinking or grimacing.

• Vocal tics include sounds or words like humming, throat clearing or uttering certain words.

• Premonitory urges in the affected muscles before a tic.

• Complex tics, a series of movements performed in a specific order, similar to a ritual.

Tests to Diagnose Tourette Syndrome

To diagnose the condition, doctors for Tourette Syndrome rely on several methods such as:

• Clinical Examination: Doctors perform a comprehensive examination of the patient’s tics including their type, frequency, and severity, along with a detailed medical history.

• Neurological Examination: This involves assessing reflexes, balance and coordination, to rule out other conditions.

• Psychological Evaluation: This assesses for the presence of co-occurring conditions like ADHD, OCD, anxiety, or learning disorders that are common in individuals with Tourette Syndrome.

• MRI or CT scan: These can be used to rule out structural abnormalities in the brain or other conditions that can cause tics.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Tourette Syndrome at Apollo Hospitals in Mysore:

Specialists for Tourette Syndrome treatment at Apollo Hospitals, Mysore provide a range of treatment options, including:

• Medication: Drugs such as neuroleptics that block or mitigate dopamine levels tics which can help control tics are commonly used in the treatment of Tourette syndrome.

• Behavioural Therapy: Treatments like Comprehensive Behavioural Intervention for Tics (CBIT) assists individuals in managing their tics effectively.

• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): This is a surgical procedure which involves implanting electrodes in the brain to stimulate specific areas. It is considered in severe cases where conventional treatments are ineffective.

• Non-pharmacological interventions: Techniques including biofeedback and acupuncture aim to stabilise tic symptoms through self-regulation practices.