Tics and hyperkinesis

Tics manifest as rapid involuntary contractions of various muscle groups. Most common are tics in the form of blinking, eye rolling, sniffing, throat clearing, twitching of facial muscles, neck muscles; other muscle groups may also be involved. Sometimes tics may manifest as obsessions and hyperkinesias, such as shoulder or head jerking.

Depending on the number of muscles involved in hyperkinesia, there are localized (one or two groups), disseminated (three or more), and generalized hyperkinesias (various muscle groups, complex hyperkinesias, squatting, shouting, vocalizations, shouting obscenities, etc.).

Tics have a wave-like character, may subside or intensify spontaneously; provocateurs of deterioration are often fatigue, irritation, nervous tension, anxiety, and overexcitation.

The occurrence of tics is based on a reduced capacity of the brain's inhibitory system to stop excessive neuronal excitation.

Standard therapy for tics involves prescribing sedative therapy, drugs that increase the concentration of gamma-aminobutyric acid, sedatives, antidepressants; the use of antipsychotics or drug combinations is possible. The literature describes the possibility of using antiepileptic drugs.

Such a treatment regimen may be effective for localized tics, but is less effective for disseminated hyperkinesias.

Generalized hyperkinesia (Tourette's syndrome) is not sensitive to standard treatment methods; the administration of antipsychotics in high doses does not produce significant results but leads to pronounced side effects – lethargy, drowsiness, coordination impairment, hormonal changes.

Non-pharmacological methods for managing hyperkinesias include psychotherapy and implantation of intracerebral electrodes.

Tics and hyperkinesias should be distinguished from voluntary obsessions or habits; unlike them, tics are involuntary in nature. It should be remembered that some types of epileptic seizures can mimic tics; differential diagnosis is performed using electroencephalography (EEG).

Since tics and hyperkinesias are a consequence of brain irritation, the pathogenetic method of treating tics also includes identifying and eliminating the source of this irritation.

One of the factors contributing to brain irritation is poor nutrition. Eliminating flour products, sweets, and dairy products from the diet helps increase brain stability.

Modern research shows the influence of microbiota on brain function. In the presence of disseminated and generalized hyperkinesias, it is necessary to examine the gastric and intestinal microflora; excessive growth of intestinal bacteria can lead to increased production of neurotoxins, which causes irritation of brain neurons and tics.

Brain function depends on sufficient vitamins and amino acids; they should be corrected based on laboratory tests.

Our clinic performs all necessary studies of the body's biochemical profile, the state of the immune system, the gastrointestinal tract, and the nervous system for systemic elimination of the causes of tics and hyperkinesias, including Tourette's syndrome.

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