Remedies for nervous tics. How to treat a nervous tic and what to do if it does not go away? Video

Nervous tic- These are rapid and uncontrolled movements that are repeated repeatedly, caused by the contraction of certain muscles. These are usually muscles of the face or arms, but they can also belong to other limbs or parts of the body.

A nervous tic on the face occurs regardless of a person’s desire and cannot be controlled; it may be similar to functional muscle movements, but in itself does not bring any benefit. Sometimes a person manages to suppress the twitching by willpower, but not for long. The problem appears only during wakefulness without any pattern.

Everyone has experienced muscle twitching at least once in their life. A temporary tic is called transient. This is a completely normal reaction to a strong shock.

Even healthy person Sometimes the eyelid twitches.

Nervous tics are considered the most common disease of the central nervous system in children 2-10 years old.

Causes

The main reason for the appearance of this pathology is a violation normal operation nervous system. The brain sends the wrong nerve signals, which cause the muscles to contract erratically.

Doctors distinguish three main types of nervous tics:

primary;
secondary – symptomatic;
transmitted from parents to child.

Why do primary tics occur?

Psycho-emotional trauma. There are several types: acute and chronic. Acute appears in response to severe fear or physical pain. Chronic occurs and develops over some time. For example, if parents often scold their child or yell at him. The psyche of children is fragile, so such shocks can provoke the appearance of tics. If you remove the main factor of the disease, they will stop, although sometimes they remain for life.
Obsessive fears.
High anxiety.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Neuroses.

The causes of nervous tics in adults are:

severe and regular stress;
weak central nervous system;
constant fatigue.

Primary tics quickly resolve on their own, even without the use of medications.

The causes of symptomatic tics are:

carbon monoxide poisoning;
cerebral vascular lesions;
encephalitis;
the result of taking certain medications;
autism and schizophrenia;
microstroke;
injuries to the child during childbirth;
the appearance of diseases during which the amount of toxins in the blood increases, which negatively affects the central nervous system;
tumors;
normal movements that have become fixed in the form of tics;
, in which the parts of the central nervous system cannot fully function;
trigeminal neuralgia.

The nature of hereditary tics

The genetic pathology that causes a nervous tic is called Tourette's disease. It is impossible to identify certain factors that influence the occurrence of the disease. Scientists have only found out that it is inherited. If one of the parents had congenital nervous tics, then in 50% he will pass the disease on to the child.

Involuntary movements appear in childhood. Over time, symptoms subside and the tic may disappear. Several factors complicate the course of the disease:

bad ecology;
regular stress;
deficiency of magnesium and vitamin B6 in the body;
poor immune system condition;
the presence of a bacterial infection.

Varieties

The main manifestation of the pathology is the inability to consciously stop moving. How more people makes efforts to suppress muscle twitching, the more pronounced the tic becomes.

Depending on the nature of the manifestation, there are:

motor tics (muscle contractions);
sensory (the appearance of unpleasant sensations in the body that force you to move);
vocal (the person makes incoherent sounds, shouts curses, sometimes you can observe howling, coughing or incoherent speech).

Tics can be simple or complex. Simple are movements that are performed using one or two muscle groups (facial movements). Complex tics are produced by sequential contraction of more than 3 muscle groups.

Simple types of teak are:

flashing;
finger twitching;
squinting;
licking lips;
twitching of the head, ear, eyebrow;
press tension;
clenching your hand into a fist;
shrug;
pelvic thrusts.

Complex types of tics are:

turns;
jumping;
rubbing a certain area of the body;
repetition of gestures;
repeated touching of an object.

Vocal tics are also divided into simple and complex. Simple ones include: grunting, whistling, coughing, grunting, hissing, sobbing, squeaking. Complex – repetition of words or phrases.

Manifestations of this pathology increase gradually. At first, a person can stop moving on his own or delay the attack. Quite often the disease appears after severe stress or overwork. It has no effect on mental abilities sick, but depressing psycho emotional condition.

A tic can be local, that is, affecting only one muscle, or generalized, moving several muscle groups. The process can also affect other muscles in the body. Spreads from top to bottom. If the head twitches first, then gradually the disease can affect the limbs.

Before the tic, the patient feels internal tension, which is released when the twitching begins. If a person suppresses movement, then tension increases. If usually the tic manifests itself weakly, then during periods of increased anxiety and lack of sleep it intensifies.

Diagnosis of the disease

The appearance of such a disease indicates the presence of disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system. Primary tics go away on their own, especially if the symptoms are mild and the duration of the twitching is short. In other cases, the help of a neurologist is required to eliminate the pathology.

Before treating a nervous tic, you should consult a doctor. At the first inspection it is checked general state the patient, the performance of the nervous system, if necessary, additional laboratory and instrumental studies are prescribed.

A neurologist may refer the patient to other specialists if the root cause of nervous tics is not within the scope of his work. In this case, you will need advice:

narcologist;
traumatologist;
oncologist;
psychiatrist;
infectious disease specialist

At the first appointment, the neurologist learns from the patient the features of the disease:

when and why tick appeared;
what circumstances could have provoked it;
tick duration;
the presence of diseases, including transferred and congenital;
were there any attempts at treatment (with what), and whether there was a result;
whether any family members suffer from tics.

In some cases, after visiting a doctor, symptoms may stop or their activity may decrease. A visit to the doctor is a stressful situation that can positively affect the state of the body, normalizing the functioning of the central nervous system.

Diagnosing the disease is quite simple. Based on the survey and examinations performed, a diagnosis is made. But in order to establish the cause of nervous tics in adults, and find the most effective treatment, it is necessary to conduct a number of studies.

Laboratory research

They help doctors find out the root cause of nervous tics and carry out effective treatment for the disease.

Prescribed:

brain Shows vascular lesions, tumors, and the presence of other injuries. Diagnostic procedure determine the presence of a disease such as schizophrenia.
Tomography of the skull. With its help, you can see the condition of the skull bones, the presence possible damage, fractures or hematomas. It allows you to notice a tumor in time, which often leads to the formation of a nervous tic.
Electromyography. Shows the condition of the muscles during the work process, various disorders muscle and nerve fibers.
EEG. Displays the reaction of brain areas to stimuli and monitors the state of certain brain areas. To do this, the patient needs to perform a series of movements: close his eyes, open or close his eyes.

How dangerous is the phenomenon?

This disease in itself does not harm the body, but if muscle contractions become regular, this indicates the presence of stress and depletion of the central nervous system, so it is recommended to seek help from a specialist.

Nervous tics can serve as an indicator of the emergence of more serious diseases:

multiple sclerosis;
malignant tumors;
mental illness;
brain injuries;
presence of infection;
stroke.

A nervous tic can lead to the patient avoiding the company of other people due to his defect, and therefore not feeling socially active. This can lead to other psychological problems.

Treatment

Treatment of nervous tics is prescribed strictly individually and depends on the root cause of the disease, the condition and age of the patient, and symptoms. How to get rid of the disorder traditional methods, and traditional medicine.

What helps cure nervous tics:

psychotherapy;
medicines;
brain stimulation.

Psychotherapy allows you to eliminate the feeling of discomfort that appears with this disorder, control nervous tics, and reduce their number.

Cognitive behavioral therapy helps the sick person get used to and not pay attention to the uncomfortable impulses that precede the tic, this will reduce the number of manifestations.

Habit reversal therapy is also used as a method of combating nervous tics. With its help, people develop movements that compete with tic movements and prevent the muscles from contracting voluntarily.

Drug treatment can be prescribed as independent therapy or as an additional therapy. It can help reduce symptoms, but not completely get rid of nervous tics.

Doctors prescribe medications such as:

muscle relaxants;
anticonvulsants;
Botox injections;
antidepressants;
other medications that interact with dopamine.

If previous treatment methods have not produced results, then deep brain stimulation is prescribed. It is based on implanting a device into the brain that in a certain way affects the areas that control muscle movement. The electrical impulses the device emits help contain involuntary contractions muscles, thereby reducing the number of tics.

Most effective method getting rid of a disease means combining several types of treatment. For example, normalize your emotional state, take medications and go to see a psychotherapist.

Traditional methods

There are many recipes that will help overcome the disease: massage, yoga, acupuncture, herbal medicine. People widely use herbal preparations for these purposes.

Mix three parts of crushed plantain leaves with one part of rue and one part of anise. Pour into a container and pour 250 ml of boiling water. Cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Afterwards, the infusion is removed, filtered, and honey and lemon are added. Drink a third of a glass every day before meals. For children, the dose is no more than 4 tablespoons.
Mix 3 portions of chamomile, two each of mint and lemon balm, add one portion of valerian root. Pour boiling water over one spoon of the resulting mixture and leave to steep for 10 minutes. Take one glass in the morning before meals.
Hawthorn tincture will effectively help eliminate symptoms. Grind the hawthorn fruits and pour boiling water over them. Leave for 20 minutes, then drink as tea three times a day before meals.
A mixture of herbs will help normalize the nervous system and relieve stress: two servings each of heather leaves, thyme, valerian root, dried herbs and one serving of chicory. Pour boiling water over one spoon of the resulting mixture and leave for 15-20 minutes. Drink a third of a glass after meals.

Compresses based on geranium help eliminate facial nervous tics. Chop the leaves and apply to the affected area. Wrap with a bandage or cloth and leave for 1 hour. Lotions made from chamomile, honey or motherwort, as well as a compress of chamomile and wormwood can relieve muscle tics. In the latter case, you should take the herbs in equal parts, mix and chop. Pour a glass of boiling water over a spoonful of the resulting mixture, leave for 20 minutes, and strain. Soak gauze in the infusion and apply to the affected area for 10-15 minutes. Will help you get rid of tic quickly cold water, if you do compresses for 15 minutes every day 3-4 times.

Can normalize the nervous system Mint tea. You can brew mint itself or mix the leaves with any other tea. It will help eliminate nervousness, stress, relax after have a hard day. It is recommended to sweeten the tea with honey, which enhances the effect of mint on the body.

To eliminate a sudden attack, you can do breathing exercises:

close your eyes, relax;
inhale and exhale slowly and deeply;
repeat the previous movements several times.

To consolidate the result, you should drink mint tea or a soothing mixture.

Prevention

Worth avoiding stressful situations, watching movies and TV shows with violence or negativity. You need to drink less coffee, sleep more and walk in the fresh air.

Important rules for disease prevention:

proper and nutritious nutrition;
healthy, long sleep;
rest after work;
playing sports (swimming, running, gymnastics, yoga);
self-control;
doing something you love, which helps you detach from problems and restore your psycho-emotional background.

If a nervous tic appears in a child, with the help of several simple techniques actually eliminate the symptoms of the disease:

support the desire to communicate with other people, not allow you to close yourself off from society;
do not focus on the disease, try to distract from problems;
create a proper daily routine, including sports, walks in the fresh air;
reduce the amount of time watching TV and surfing the Internet;

Nervous tic is a disease of the central nervous system, characterized by involuntary, uniform and jerky contractions of certain muscles.

A tic is a type of hyperkinesis, contractions of an individual muscle or an entire group due to incorrect settings of the brain. It sends “erroneous” nerve impulses to the muscles, leading to their rapid, monotonous contraction. It is impossible to stop these reductions on your own. Most often, a nervous tic is a twitching of the eyelid, cheek or corner of the mouth, but can also spread to other parts of the body.

Both children and adults are susceptible to this disease. The disease is not contagious and does not affect the functioning of the nervous system or mental abilities of a person, but it significantly worsens his psycho-emotional state.

Tic is a fairly common nervous disorder among boys aged two to ten years, and is generally more common among the male population. And although the symptoms often worsen, half of the children eventually completely get rid of the disease. Also, some studies show that tics are more common among children with disabilities training.

Nervous tics are classified according to the following criteria:

Based on the muscle groups involved, facial or facial tics and limb tics are distinguished. The vocal tic is characterized by the participation vocal cords;
According to the degree of prevalence, local tic is distinguished, when the disease affects only one muscle group, and generalized - in which several muscle groups are involved;
According to the level of complexity, a simple tic is distinguished, which is characterized by the presence of elementary movements (twitching of the eyelid, corners of the mouth), and a complex one, with a whole complex of involuntary movements (screaming expressions, snapping fingers, etc.)
by duration: transient tic disorder and chronic motor/vocal tic disorder. Transient tic disorder affects up to 10 percent of children during the early school years and is characterized by the presence of 1 or more tics for at least 1 month, but not more than 12 consecutive months. Tics that begin before age 18 and continue for a year or more are classified as chronic tic disorders;
Tourette syndrome is a complex neurological disorder characterized by multiple tics, both motor and vocal. This is the most severe and least common nervous tic.

Causes

Among the causes of nervous tics, there are two groups: primary and secondary.

primary (psychogenic or nervous) causes are the result of the influence of negative mental factors on the human condition, for example, anxiety, fear, depression, neuroses, stress, etc. Chronic fatigue, nervous exhaustion, lack of sleep and constant pressure can also cause tics. Abbreviations in in this case are a consequence of an independent disorder of the central nervous system.
Most often, tics caused by primary reasons, are observed in children from 3 to 5 and from 7 to 11 years. Experts attribute this to the vulnerability of the child’s psyche at this age. If a nervous tic is observed earlier than the specified period, you should consult a doctor, as this phenomenon indicates the presence of serious violation. The causes of primary tics in children can be psycho-emotional trauma caused by constant emotional instability due to the nervous situation in the family, phobias, obsessive fears, bullying, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, congenital increased anxiety.
Secondary (or symptomatic) causes of nervous tics are the result of metabolic disorders in the brain, infections, and tissue damage. An example of such damage can be complications after infectious diseases, intoxication, trauma, herpes viruses, and various organic pathologies. The disease can also appear due to childhood and birth injuries, a difficult pregnancy in the mother, poor circulation in the brain, infection with worms, and even due to poor nutrition.

Some hereditary factors also lead to uncontrolled muscle contractions. A striking example This may be due to Tourette's syndrome, in which either simple, involuntary, uniform and rapid muscle movements, or a complex of such, are observed. It is important that similar manifestations usually occur in relatives: for example, a father experiences periodic contraction of the eyelid, and his daughter experiences clenching of her fingers into a fist.

Symptoms

The main and obvious manifestation of the disease is the presence of involuntary convulsive contractions affecting different muscle groups. Usually, physical attempts to stop the twitching (press with a finger, close your eyes, etc.) only intensify the manifestation of a nervous tic.

Manifestations of the disease directly depend on the location of the tic:

The most common are facial nervous tics, in which the facial muscles contract. They are characterized by moving lips, blinking, opening the mouth, moving the eyebrows and forehead, twitching the nose or cheeks;
for people suffering from nervous tics of the head, neck and shoulders, nodding, shaking the head, and clapping the palms are typical;
a vocal nervous tic can cause a person to make incoherent sounds, shout curses, sometimes there is incoherent speech, howling;
motor pathology affecting the trunk, accompanied by unnatural movements chest, protrusion of the abdomen or pelvis;
In the case of tics in the arms and legs, clapping of hands, stomping and jumping are observed.

Among rare symptoms tika secrete palilalia ( repetition words or phrases) and echolalia (repetition of a heard phrase). Indecent gestures and shouting obscene words are more common among adolescents and adult men. As a rule, behavioral features become noticeable to others, which attracts increased attention to a patient with a tic. In some cases, a person can briefly stop the onset of an attack, but most often this is not possible. Attacks provoke an increase in emotional instability, which only intensifies the symptoms.

Symptoms of tics in children are associated with general disorders of the nervous system - depression, anxiety, depression or hyperactivity. Restlessness, problems falling asleep, high fatigue, slowness or poor coordination of actions also contribute to the development of nervous tics.

Diagnostics

Put accurate diagnosis Only a specialized specialist can. Rare, isolated tics of the facial muscles, caused by being in a stressful situation or general fatigue, usually do not require medical intervention. The twitching may go away on its own or take on a milder, non-disturbing form. If muscle contraction affects increasingly large areas of the face or limb, you should seek help from a specialist.

A conversation with a neurologist and a standard examination is the first step towards treating a nervous tic. The main criterion for diagnosing temporary tic disorder is the duration of the symptom; to make a diagnosis, tics must be present daily for at least 12 months in a row. People with chronic tic disorder usually experience specific tics, such as vocal only or motor only, but not both.

If necessary, the doctor prescribes blood and urine tests to exclude possible inflammatory processes in organism. To identify problems with the central nervous system, CT, MRI, and electroencephalography can be used. Consultations with specialized specialists, such as a psychiatrist, oncologist, cardiologist and endocrinologist, are prescribed as necessary.

Treatment

The sooner the patient sees a doctor, the more likely the treatment will be successful. At the first serious symptoms you should seek help, since the most effective treatment of the disease is achieved in case of immediate response, and also if the visit to the doctor occurred no later than 2-4 months from the onset of the disease.

Nervous tics are treated by:

a neurologist examines the nervous system and prescribes medication;
a psychotherapist works with mental disorders that provoke the occurrence of a nervous tic, and, if necessary, prescribes medication, including antidepressants, sedatives (sedatives). Some types of psychotherapy can help people control nervous tics and reduce their occurrence. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people become accustomed to the uncomfortable urges that precede a tic in order to reduce symptoms. With this therapy you can achieve significant results in working with depression, anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive states, phobias and other disorders;
a psychologist studies a person’s individual characteristics, helps to cope with stress, psychological tension, and personal problems. Treatment is aimed at reducing anxiety and resolving traumatic situations.

During the treatment of a nervous tic, you should not focus on the symptoms, as this will contribute to the worsening of the condition. The patient should create the most comfortable living conditions for himself, try to avoid stressful situations or change his attitude towards them. For successful treatment A nervous tic requires patience, a calm atmosphere, and the goodwill of friends and relatives. It is not recommended to shame or ridicule tics, as this will only make them worse.

Medicines

The choice of drug treatment depends on the type of tic and the degree of damage; each patient is approached individually. Medicines are successfully used in the treatment of the disease, eliminate symptoms and promote improvement. psychological state patient.

Anticonvulsants help eliminate cramps in the facial muscles of the face and hands, and symptoms of motor tics. Despite the effectiveness this group drugs have a complex effect on the body and can cause unpleasant side effects. Such drugs are prescribed only qualified doctor in individual cases.

Sedatives are aimed at reducing stress and helping to cope with difficult situations in the patient's life. In most cases, drugs are chosen plant origin, based natural herbs. Such agents reduce systemic exposure chemical substances on the body, reduce the risk of side effects. Valerian-based preparations are widely used. They are used for physical and mental stress, when they are bothered increased fatigue, sleep disorders. They have no side effects and are not addictive.

Anxiolytics (tranquilizers) are often prescribed, which can suppress anxiety, fear, restlessness and emotional stress. Afobazole is one of the most common drugs in this group. It is well tolerated and causes virtually no side effects. There is a possibility of headaches while taking the drug, but often the pain goes away on its own, and the drug is not discontinued. It is worth noting that this medicine prohibited for children under 18 years of age, as well as during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

In case of development depressive state treatment is supplemented by the prescription of antidepressants. These drugs are selected by the appropriate specialist strictly individually. Since antidepressants have a cumulative effect, the duration of the course can be a month or more. It should be remembered that changing the dosage of medications on your own or stopping taking them is strictly prohibited, because these actions can lead to the development of various unpleasant effects.

When treating secondary tics, treatment is supplemented pharmaceuticals, aimed at eliminating the main cause of the disease identified during the examination of the patient.

Folk remedies

Psychological comfort is often the key to a successful solution to a problem; it can be achieved not only drug treatment, but also folk remedies. There are many simple and available ways, which can reduce stress levels and relieve tension, thereby reducing the manifestation of unpleasant symptoms.

First of all, it’s worth considering all kinds of herbal drinks and infusions that you can buy in pharmacies or you can prepare yourself. Calming teas can bring calm to a person’s state and distract him from stress. Chamomile, mint and lemon balm are successfully used to restore mental balance. You can try this soothing decoction: mix equal parts of rue leaves and anise seeds, add plantain leaves. Pour 4 tablespoons of the mixture into 0.5 liters of boiling water, leave to steep for half an hour, then strain. Remove the zest from 2 lemons, mix with half a glass of honey, combine with herbal infusion. Drink in small sips before meals.

Successfully used various tinctures. For example, you can use hawthorn berries - they can normalize work circulatory system, improve sleep quality, stabilize the nervous system. To prepare the tincture, you need to crush 3 tablespoons of hawthorn berries, pour 2 cups of boiling water, strain and judge. You need to drink 300 g per day in 3 doses.

For eye twitching, you can use soothing lotions based on chamomile and wormwood infusions. To prepare a compress, you need to cut off the geranium leaves, wash them, then grind them into a paste and apply them to the sore spot. The compress should be removed after an hour.

The information is for reference only and is not a guide to action. Do not self-medicate. At the first symptoms of the disease, consult a doctor.

A nervous tic is a rapid, repetitive, irregular movement caused by the contraction of certain muscles. Most often, the muscles of the face and arms contract, but absolutely any muscle group can be involved. A nervous tic occurs against a person’s will, can imitate a fragment of normal purposeful movements, but in itself is an absolutely useless action. Sometimes, with an effort of will, you can suppress the occurrence of a tic, but not for long. Tics appear only during wakefulness. They do not have any pattern, they are always fast, abrupt, with different repetition intervals. Nervous tics are pathological conditions, however, they do not always require treatment. You will learn about the reasons that lead to the appearance of tics, what they are like and how to deal with them in this article.

Nervous tics are the result of increased activity of the so-called extrapyramidal system of the brain. This system is responsible for reproducing many of the automated movements of our body, that is, it works relatively independently without the participation of the cerebral cortex. When, for some reason, excitation circulates in the extrapyramidal system, this can be expressed in the appearance of nervous tics (although this is far from the only symptom increased activity of the extrapyramidal system).

Causes of tics

Violations cerebral circulation may cause nervous tics.

In general, depending on the cause of occurrence, nervous tics can be divided into two large groups:

primary;
secondary.

The appearance of primary tics does not depend on anything, that is, no connection with another disease or provoking factor can be traced. They are also called idiopathic. Primary tics most often occur in childhood (usually before the age of 18). They may disappear with age or persist into adulthood. Apart from tics, in this case there are no other symptoms of the disease. Primary tics have a genetic predisposition.

Secondary tics have a clear cause-and-effect relationship with some event or past illness. It can be:

receiving a series medicines(, levodopa drugs, psychostimulants) or drug use;
row mental illness(such as schizophrenia and);
carbon monoxide poisoning;
neurodegenerative diseases (in this case, tic is just one of the symptoms).

Secondary tics are almost always accompanied by some other signs. If they appear, it is first necessary to treat the underlying disease. In this case, nervous tics can stop without the use of special drugs (directed against tics).

What are the types of nervous tics?

Depending on the nature of their manifestation, tics are:

motor (that is, in the form of muscle contraction);
vocal (when they represent sounds);
sensory (appearance unpleasant sensation in some part of the body, forcing the patient to perform some action).

Also, tics can be divided into simple and complex. Simple are relatively uncomplicated muscle contractions, reproduced by one or two muscle groups. To implement complex tics, sequential contraction of several muscle groups is necessary.

To make it a little clearer, here are a few examples of possible ticks.

Simple motor tics can be:

blinking or flashing;
squinting;
twitching of the wings of the nose or head;
tongue sticking out;
licking lips;
shrug;
abdominal retraction;
clenching hands into fists;
throwing the legs forward;
shoulder abduction;
pelvic thrusts;
contraction of the sphincters.

Complex motor tics are:

jumping;
snapping fingers;
rubbing certain places;
beating one's chest;
sniffing;
turns when walking;
repetition of gestures, including indecent ones;
repeated touches.

Vocal tics can also be simple or complex. Simple ones include:

inappropriate whistling;
hiss;
grunting;
snort;
coughing;
grunt;
sobbing;
tongue clicking;
squeak.

Before proceeding to intensive care, it is important to first study what a nervous tic is and what provoked this pathological process in organism. The disease is unpleasant, but can be treated conservatively.

A nervous tic characterizes a pathological process, the course of which is accompanied by reflex twitching and jerky movement. separate groups muscles. Among the main etiological signs is a clear disturbance in the functioning of the nervous system, caused by previously experienced birth trauma, present hypoxia, previous traumatic brain injuries, meningitis, rapid increase in intracranial pressure, as well as impaired blood circulation in the cerebral cortex.

This disease is treated conservatively, that is by medication, however, its scheme is determined individually and depends on the form of the nervous tic. Thus, primary tic most often manifests itself in childhood, and boys are more susceptible to it. Secondary tic progresses as a result of extensive brain damage. There is also a hereditary nervous tic that progresses in the body at the genetic level.

Only after detailed diagnostics the specialist prescribes a treatment regimen, just for this topic and it’s worth talking in more detail. Yes, in such clinical pictures Etiotropic and symptomatic therapy is appropriate, and psychotherapy is also in demand. In the first case, the task of treatment is to completely eliminate the pathogenic factor that provoked this diagnosis and exacerbation. Symptomatic therapy productively eliminates the signs of the disease itself, and psychotherapy allows you to gain self-confidence and emotional balance.

In general, medication is not required, and the nervous tic goes away after the emotional stress is removed, but everything again depends on the causes of the disease itself and the individual characteristics of the affected organism. If the patient cannot pull himself together independently, and the muscle twitching does not stop for a long period of time, in order to timely suppress the overexcited state, it is recommended to take soft sedatives preferably of plant origin, in particular, tincture of motherwort, hawthorn, valerian, or the same drops of Morozov. Homeopathy is also indicated. The nervous tic disappears after a quarter of an hour and does not remind you of itself for a long time.

However, every patient must understand that taking such medications should not be long-term, since there is an addictive effect, and side effects also often make themselves felt. That is why this pharmacological group is designed only to eliminate relapse, and as a preventive measure it is best to use soothing decoctions and tinctures that only have a beneficial effect on the central nervous system and the entire body.

However, in modern medicine There is another medicine for nervous tics that also quickly eliminates muscle spasm. In this case we are talking about medical product Phenibut, which is available without a prescription and is prevalent in any pharmacy. This medicine belongs to pharmacological group nootropics, and has virtually no contraindications. That is why Phenibut can be taken by both adults and small children, but provided that this treatment strictly agreed with the attending physician.

If a nervous tic is diagnosed, Phenibut should be taken immediately, but do not forget that any treatment has its side effects. In this case, such anomalies include increased irritability and even aggression, as well as allergic skin reactions. However therapeutic effect encouraging.

If a persistent nervous tic predominates, then most likely, neurotoxic drugs were taken that block nerve impulses that are sent to the muscles for their unplanned and abnormal excitation. That is, this condition can be observed when performing Botox injections.

First of all, calm down: most often a nervous tic is absolutely harmless. If you can't remember exactly when the last or second-to-last time you had one, you're probably fine.

It’s another matter if twitching of one or another part of the body haunts you regularly. Here it’s worth figuring out what’s what, and perhaps seeking medical help.

What is a nervous tic

Accepted by a nervous tic The Management of Tics refers to uncontrolled, unwanted, and repetitive muscle movement in any part of the body.

Nervous tics are more common in children than in adults.

About 25% of children experience regular nervous tics. Moreover, boys suffer from them more often than girls. Fortunately, many children outgrow this condition.

There are two types of tic disorders:

Motor. This is the name given to twitching of any limbs or muscles. For example, - classic example motor tic.
Vocal. These are sound “twitches”: sudden nervous cough, grunting, throat clearing, unconscious and uncontrolled repetition of sounds or syllables.

There is also a third type - Tourette's syndrome, the symptoms of which include both motor and vocal tics in a wide range of manifestations. But this nervous breakdown so strong that it is diagnosed already in early age. If you have reached the point of consciously asking yourself: “Why is it that my eyelid twitches from time to time?” - Tourette's syndrome is definitely not about you (and that's great). Let's deal with the first two.

Where does a nervous tic come from?

There is no clear answer to this question modern science No Tic Disorders and Twitches. It is believed that tics are caused by random electrical impulses in the brain. But where they come from and why they are repeated has not been precisely established.

Scientists suggest that the occurrence of tics may be associated Transient Tic Disorder (Provisional Tic Disorder) With chemical reactions in the brain. Chemistry is actively and negatively affected by:

of different origins, including those related to temperature changes and lighting differences;
Infections.
Head injuries.
Damage gray matter caused by serious illnesses: tumors, Huntington's diseases, Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseases and so on.

When to show a nervous tic to a doctor

We repeat: you can ignore a one-time tick. Most likely, it is associated with fatigue or, say, temperature changes.

However, it happens that tics become obsessive: they occur regularly and seriously impair the quality of life. If this is the case, consult a therapist or neurologist to determine what is happening and how to deal with it.

The doctor will ask you several questions:

At what age did you start having tics?
How long do the attacks last?
How severe are the symptoms?

The answers will help you figure out what kind of disorder you have: short-term or chronic (this form will require more serious treatment). Chronic tics are more noticeable and last longer. They appear before the age of 18 and return regularly.

If you have a nervous tic recently (less than a year) and repeats up to several times a month, the doctor will classify it as short-term.

If at initial examination the specialist will suspect more serious reasons tic, you will be prescribed additional examinations: blood tests and, possibly, a computer scan of the brain. This will help eliminate dangerous diseases and damage to gray matter. If the disease is found, treatment will begin with it.

How to get rid of nervous tics

Most often, the short-term form does not require treatment. The doctor will only recommend that you adjust your lifestyle:

Reduce stress.
Eat well.
Avoid sudden temperature changes.

If this does not help, the medic will offer to connect the “heavy artillery”. These include:

Behavioral therapy. Classes with a psychologist will help you better control your emotions, teach you how to manage stress, and ultimately reduce the frequency of tics.
Drug therapy. The doctor selects it for a specific case. Some patients may benefit from antidepressants. To others - anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants (these drugs reduce muscle tone) or Botox injections (generally blocking muscle activity in a specific area). The third is drugs that lower the level of those neurotransmitters that cause the brain to “pass” erroneous electrical signals.

Fortunately, the prognosis is favorable. If you follow your doctor's recommendations, short-term tics will become a thing of the past within a few months. And even in serious, chronic cases, therapy will significantly relieve symptoms.