BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuFacial ticsTic - facial; Mimic spasmA facial tic is a repeated spasm, often involving the eyes and muscles of the face. Causes Tics most often occur in children, but may last into adulthood. Tics occur 3 to 4 times as often in boys as girls. Tics may affect as many as one quarter of all children at some time.The cause of tics is unknown, but stress appears to make tics worse.Short-lived tics (transient tic disorder) are common in childhood.Transient tic disorderProvisional (transient) tic disorder is a condition in which a person makes one or many brief, repeated, movements or noises (tics). These movements...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A chronic motor tic disorder also exists. It may last for years. This form is very rare compared to the common short-lived childhood tic. Tourette syndrome is a separate condition in which tics are a major symptom.Chronic motor tic disorderChronic motor or vocal tic disorder is a condition that involves quick, uncontrollable movements or vocal outbursts (but not both).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tourette syndromeTourette syndrome is a condition that causes a person to make repeated, quick movements or sounds that they cannot control.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Tics may involve repeated, uncontrolled spasm-like muscle movements, such as: Eye blinking Grimacing Mouth twitching Nose wrinkling SquintingRepeated throat clearing or grunting may also be present. Exams and Tests The health care provider will usually diagnose a tic during a physical examination. No special tests are needed. In rare cases, an EEG may be done to look for seizures, which can be the source of tics.EEGAn electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test to measure the electrical activity of the brain.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article SeizuresA seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Short-lived childhood tics are not treated. Calling the child's attention to a tic may make it worse or cause it to continue. A non-stressful environment can make tics occur less often, and help them go away more quickly. Stress reduction programs or cognitive behavioral intervention may also be helpful.If tics severely affect a person's life, medicines may help control them. Outlook (Prognosis) Simple childhood tics should go away on their own over a period of months. Chronic tics may continue for a longer period of time.ChronicChronic refers to something that continues over an extended period of time. A chronic condition is usually long-lasting and does not easily or quick...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Possible Complications In most cases, there are no complications. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider for an appointment if tics: Affect many muscle groups Are persistent Are severe Prevention Many cases cannot be prevented. Reducing stress may be helpful. Sometimes, counseling can help your child learn how to cope with stress.Open ReferencesReferencesRyan CA, Walter HJ, DeMaso DR. Motor disorders and habits. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 37.Tochen L, Singer HS. Tics and Tourette syndrome. In: Swaiman KF, Ashwal S, Ferriero DM, et al, eds. Swaiman's Pediatric Neurology: Principles and Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 98.AllVideoImagesTogBrain structures - illustration The structures of the brain include the brainstem, consisting of the spinal cord, the medulla oblongata, the pons and the midbrain; the cerebellum; the cerebrum (one half, or hemisphere shown), and the diencephalon.Brain structuresillustrationBrain - illustration The major areas of the brain have one or more specific functions.BrainillustrationBrain structures - illustration The structures of the brain include the brainstem, consisting of the spinal cord, the medulla oblongata, the pons and the midbrain; the cerebellum; the cerebrum (one half, or hemisphere shown), and the diencephalon.Brain structuresillustrationBrain - illustration The major areas of the brain have one or more specific functions.BrainillustrationRelated Information Provisional tic disorder(Condition)Chronic motor or vocal tic disorder(Condition)Tourette syndrome(Condition) Review Date: 1/23/2022 Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. 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Facial ticsTic - facial; Mimic spasmA facial tic is a repeated spasm, often involving the eyes and muscles of the face. Causes Tics most often occur in children, but may last into adulthood. Tics occur 3 to 4 times as often in boys as girls. Tics may affect as many as one quarter of all children at some time.The cause of tics is unknown, but stress appears to make tics worse.Short-lived tics (transient tic disorder) are common in childhood.Transient tic disorderProvisional (transient) tic disorder is a condition in which a person makes one or many brief, repeated, movements or noises (tics). These movements...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A chronic motor tic disorder also exists. It may last for years. This form is very rare compared to the common short-lived childhood tic. Tourette syndrome is a separate condition in which tics are a major symptom.Chronic motor tic disorderChronic motor or vocal tic disorder is a condition that involves quick, uncontrollable movements or vocal outbursts (but not both).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Tourette syndromeTourette syndrome is a condition that causes a person to make repeated, quick movements or sounds that they cannot control.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Tics may involve repeated, uncontrolled spasm-like muscle movements, such as: Eye blinking Grimacing Mouth twitching Nose wrinkling SquintingRepeated throat clearing or grunting may also be present. Exams and Tests The health care provider will usually diagnose a tic during a physical examination. No special tests are needed. In rare cases, an EEG may be done to look for seizures, which can be the source of tics.EEGAn electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test to measure the electrical activity of the brain.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article SeizuresA seizure is the physical changes in behavior that occurs during an episode of specific types of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. The term ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Short-lived childhood tics are not treated. Calling the child's attention to a tic may make it worse or cause it to continue. A non-stressful environment can make tics occur less often, and help them go away more quickly. Stress reduction programs or cognitive behavioral intervention may also be helpful.If tics severely affect a person's life, medicines may help control them. Outlook (Prognosis) Simple childhood tics should go away on their own over a period of months. Chronic tics may continue for a longer period of time.ChronicChronic refers to something that continues over an extended period of time. A chronic condition is usually long-lasting and does not easily or quick...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Possible Complications In most cases, there are no complications. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider for an appointment if tics: Affect many muscle groups Are persistent Are severe Prevention Many cases cannot be prevented. Reducing stress may be helpful. Sometimes, counseling can help your child learn how to cope with stress.Open ReferencesReferencesRyan CA, Walter HJ, DeMaso DR. Motor disorders and habits. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 37.Tochen L, Singer HS. Tics and Tourette syndrome. In: Swaiman KF, Ashwal S, Ferriero DM, et al, eds. Swaiman's Pediatric Neurology: Principles and Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 98.