Tourette Syndrome

For a healthcare provider to diagnose someone with a tic disorder, the tics must have started before the age of 18. To diagnose you with Tourette’s, you must have been experiencing motor and vocal tics (both) for more than a year.

There isn’t a blood test or imaging exam that can detect Tourette syndrome. Instead, your healthcare provider carefully reviews your medical history and symptoms. They may ask detailed questions about the tics, including:

How often do the tics happen?
At what age did the tics start?
What is the nature of the tics (simple or complex)?

Your healthcare provider may also do tests to rule out other conditions that could be causing tics.

Does Tourette’s ever occur with other health conditions?

Most people with Tourette’s have other health conditions. These are usually mental or behavioral health disorders, including:

Anxiety disorders.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Depression.
Learning disabilities.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD).

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.