Find Trusted Treatment for Tourette Syndrome at Dignity Health

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a disorder in which a person makes several types of involuntary (not on purpose) movements and sounds, called tics. The condition can be mild or severe. While TS is not life threatening, severe symptoms may lead to involuntary self-harm.

Dignity Health Neurological Institute of Northern California has a team of expert neurologists and specialists that work together to provide personalized treatment for Tourette syndrome in Sacramento and surrounding areas. Find a Doctor and make an appointment near you to manage your symptoms.

What Causes Tourette Syndrome?

Doctors do not yet know how this neurological disorder develops. Studies show it is an inherited condition, which means it is passed down through families. Researchers think that genetic, environmental and developmental factors may play a role in TS. Men are more likely to have TS than women.

Tourette Syndrome Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of TS include different types of tics.

Motor tics involve movement of some kind. Simple motor tics include blinking, grimacing, head or arm jerking, or shoulder shrugging.

Vocal or phonic tics involve sounds. Simple vocal tics include grunting, shouting, clearing the throat, or sniffing.

Complex tics involve more than one type of movement or sound and sometimes include actions that appear voluntary, such as touching things, jumping, or uttering words. The most severe cases of TS can involve harmful motor tics, such as punching oneself, or inappropriate vocal tics such as swearing or echoing what other people say. These cases are less common forms of TS.

Tourette Syndrome Treatment in the Sacramento Region

Our advanced treatment strategies for tourette syndrome at Dignity Health depend on the severity of the condition. Mild cases may need no treatment at all. Childhood symptoms of TS may improve or even disappear by adulthood. More serious cases of TS can interfere with daily life. In these cases, several forms of treatment are available:

• Deep brain stimulation, which sends electric pulses to specific tissues in the brain for people with TS who do not get better with other treatments
• Medications, particularly neuroleptics (tranquilizers) to suppress tics
• Comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT), which helps you become better aware of your tics and ways to reduce them
• Speech therapy to help manage symptoms of other conditions that can occur with TS, including language-based learning disabilities or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

When you meet with our experienced neurologists, we will work with you to find the right treatment or combination of treatments to minimize your symptoms. We are committed to your overall well-being — schedule a consultation today.