Non-drug treatment of tics in children. Nervous tics. How to deal with them? Obsessive Obsessive Syndrome

How to get rid of a nervous tic - this question is becoming very popular. This phenomenon has recently been encountered more and more often by a fairly large number of children. What is a nervous tic? A nervous tic is a disease of a neurological nature. By the way, nervous tics occupy a leading place among neurological disorders. Most often, children aged 6 to 10 years experience nervous tics. Transistor or, as they are also called, transient nervous tics occur in approximately three out of ten children. Statistics show that boys are five times more likely to experience this phenomenon than girls.

Many parents get very scared when faced with a nervous tic. In order to figure out how to deal with nervous tics, you need to know exactly what they are and what causes them. Doctors give the following definition to the phenomenon of a nervous tic: it is an involuntary movement or sound that occurs and is repeated many times over a short period of time. For example, twitching of the cheeks or eyebrows, tension of the facial muscles, pursing of the lips. Vocal tics are manifested by rhythmic snoring, screaming, noisy sighs or sobs. All ticks are divided into certain subgroups:

1.Motor tics. Motor tics are often also called motor tics.

manifested by spasmodic movements of various muscle groups.

In addition, without exception, all nervous tics in children are divided into simple And complex. In simple forms of tic, only one group of muscles is involved, for example, facial or calf muscles. Moreover, a nervous tic can manifest itself not only by a simple twitching of the cheek or eyebrow, but even by jumping or squatting. All nervous tics are either transient, that is, temporary, lasting no more than one year. But if tics appear regularly for 12 months or more, doctors talk about chronic nervous tics.

Nervous tic or...?

Very often, parents confuse a nervous tic with a phenomenon such as obsessive movements. For example, you can often hear parents complaining that the child, having barely gotten rid of the habit of incessantly blinking, begins to bite his nails. Other parents complain that their child begins to constantly twirl a curl of hair on his finger or check ten times in a row whether the light is off or the door is locked.

So, such actions have nothing to do with nervous tics; rather, they relate to the so-called obsessive movements. This problem must be solved jointly with child psychologists. However, if you have any doubts, consulting a neurologist will not bring any harm to your child.

Distinctive signs of nervous tics in children

Nervous tics have certain distinctive characteristics that can help observant parents notice the presence of a problem. As you remember, a nervous tic is a consequence of involuntary contractions of a certain muscle group. But, nevertheless, if you ask the child and he tries very hard, then a mild tic can be stopped with willpower and muscle control. As a result, the child stops continuously blinking, snoring or shrugging.

In addition, a nervous tic has the ability to migrate, changing its location. So, for example, a baby’s eye may twitch one day, the cheek on another, and the muscles of the shoulder girdle on the third day. Many parents mistakenly take each new location of a nervous tic for a new independent illness. However, in reality this is not the case at all. Migration is just repeated attacks of the same disease.

The severity of the disease and the causes that cause it

How pronounced a nervous tic is depends on many factors, for example, the time of year, time of day, the psycho-emotional state of the child at the time of the onset of the disease attack, and others. For example, a child who spends a long time playing computer games or watching television shows is most often in an unstable psycho-emotional state. And it is quite natural that the risk of a nervous tic is much higher, and the degree of its severity will be brighter. Emotions such as anger, resentment, embarrassment and even joy also increase the frequency of nervous tics and make their course more severe.

But at a time when the baby is busy with some exciting activity that requires maximum concentration of attention from him, for example, while playing or reading an interesting book, a nervous tic can significantly reduce the intensity of the manifestation of nervous tics, up to their complete disappearance . However, as soon as the child finishes his exciting activity, the tick immediately returns to normal.

Of course, parents of children suffering from attacks of nervous tics first of all ask neurologists the question of what is the cause of nervous tics. However, even modern medicine is unable to give a definite answer to this question. However, doctors still identify several factors that put children at risk of developing a nervous tic. These are the ones that will be discussed below.

So, nervous tics - reasons:

Genetic factor.

Genetic predisposition plays an important role in the development of nervous tics in a child. So, for example, if the mother or father of a child also suffered from attacks of nervous tics in childhood, their baby has a very high chance of falling into the trap of a nervous tic.

Disorders of the central nervous system.

Children who suffer from hyperactivity disorder, attention deficit disorder, and minimal brain dysfunction often experience nervous tics. Doctors and neurologists know about this peculiarity of this group of children and know how to help such a child.

Stressful state of the child.

If a child has experienced a nervous shock, or is in a state of chronic stress, the risk of developing a nervous tic reaches approximately 80%. A stressful environment can be caused by various circumstances - an unfavorable microclimate in the family, illness or death of relatives, the appearance of new family members and much more.

Start of school.

Pediatric neurologists have such a concept as the “September 1st tick.” Such a nervous tic is caused by the stress that inevitably entails adaptation to school conditions, especially among first-graders. Strictly speaking, this type of nervous tics is also a tic caused by a child’s stressful condition.

Conjunctivitis.

Most often, pediatric neurologists hear complaints from parents about a type of disease such as nervous tic of the eye in children. However, most often blinking is not a nervous tic. It occurs as a consequence of the child having conjunctivitis, or even as a consequence of it. The child experiences unpleasant sensations in the eyes and constantly blinks involuntarily, trying to eliminate them.

Influence of external factors.

Sometimes the cause of nervous tics is completely unexpected factors. For example, a turtleneck with a tight neck can be the culprit of a motor type of nervous tic. The child, trying to free himself from the feeling of pressure on the neck area, will constantly rotate his head. And even after the turtleneck is removed, the teak will haunt the baby for some time.

Children's perception of nervous tics

It is also impossible not to mention the reaction of the children themselves to such an illness as a nervous tic. As a rule, the vast majority of children coexist perfectly with their nervous tics, without thinking about why they arise, and without at all attaching any importance to this fact, unlike overly fearful parents. And the children surrounding a baby with a nervous tic, as a rule, do not pay absolutely any attention to this feature of their friend.

By the way, very often those parents whose children are faced with a nervous tic blame themselves for it. Many mothers and fathers for a long time torment themselves with doubts and reproaches: if I had not scolded, if I had not refused, if I had bought, and so on, and so on. Of course, stressful experiences and nervous shocks contribute to the launch of the nervous tic mechanism and its further development, and many other problems may well provoke it - so you should not once again injure the child’s fragile nervous system. However, you should also not blame yourself for the fact that your baby has developed a nervous tic - after all, without a predisposition to this disease, a nervous tic will not appear anyway.

How should parents behave?

What should parents of those children who are faced with such a problem as a nervous tic keep in mind? Neurologists and child psychologists give parents a number of specific recommendations:

Don't focus on the existing problem.

You should not constantly remind your child about his illness, even casually, in a conversation with adults. Doctors have proven that the more you talk about nervous tics in the presence of a child, the more often his attacks will occur and the more pronounced they will be.

Don't put pressure on your child.

So many parents make the same, very common, mistake. They ask and even order the child: “don’t sniffle,” “don’t twitch,” “don’t blink.” However, such a measure will not only not bring any benefit, but will greatly aggravate the situation, having the opposite effect - increased sniffing and blinking. Moreover, the child does this not at all in order to annoy his parents, it’s just that the constant shouts and jerks make the baby unconsciously, involuntarily fixate on a nervous tic. As a result, even a mildly expressed nervous tic can take a rather severe course, which will require serious and long-term drug treatment.

Seek medical help promptly.

It is imperative that at the first symptoms of a nervous tic, parents should immediately seek medical help. However, unfortunately, many parents do not do this, because they consider nervous tics not to be an independent disease, but just a bad habit, because otherwise the child would not know how to stop nervous tics.

Most likely, parents come to this conclusion on the basis that the child, through an effort of will, is able to restrain an attack of a nervous tic for some time. And as a result, the child receives the medical care he needs only when the disease has already reached an advanced stage. But in the event that children have a nervous tic, treatment must be started as early as possible so as not to progress the disease.

Create a psychological environment that is comfortable for the child.

Of course, following the child’s lead in everything and indulging all his whims is far from the best solution. However, parents are simply obliged to create a favorable psychological microclimate for the child - there is no need to discuss serious problems in front of the child, because often the child understands much more than adults seem to think. You shouldn’t speak negatively about his friends, much less sort things out in front of your child, even if you do it in a completely calm tone and with icy calm.

Limiting time watching TV and working on the computer.

In order to reduce psycho-emotional stress, and at the same time protect the child’s vision, try to limit the time watching TV and working with the computer as much as possible. It is much more reasonable to organize the child’s daily routine in such a way that the baby spends as much time as possible in the fresh air, and not in a stuffy room.

Treatment of nervous tics

So we come to the final question: nervous tic - how to treat? In many cases, transient (temporary) nervous tics in children disappear on their own, without any serious intervention from a neurologist. However, although quite rare, doctors still encounter cases where temporary tics smoothly turn into chronic ones, affecting more and more different muscle groups. Doctors call these tics generalized.

Most often, childhood tics do not require any special treatment. Parents should just follow the simple rules and recommendations that have already been given above. As a rule, the correct organization of a child’s daily routine and the surrounding microclimate very quickly help to forget about such a problem as a nervous tic.

However, in especially severe cases, when it is not possible to get rid of a child’s nervous tic for some reason, doctors are forced to resort to drug treatment. Taking into account the age, weight of the child, and the characteristics of the course of the disease, the doctor will select the appropriate medicine for nervous tics. Parents should not categorically refuse it, since if the child has a complex, advanced nervous tic, the treatment must be serious. Anti-nervous tic tablets will not cause any harm to the child’s body.

Sometimes, very quickly there is no trace of a nervous tic, literally two or three weeks - and the child completely forgets about such a problem as a nervous tic. However, unfortunately, sometimes doctors have to observe a completely opposite picture - treatment progresses quite slowly and requires constant attention and control from the mother. And then Carlson’s favorite saying comes to mind: “Calm, only calm!” Otherwise, the child’s illness will not quickly disappear, and the parents themselves risk getting a nervous tic!

Doctor Konon T.A.

Noticing that the child is making involuntary obsessive movements, twitching or making strange sounds, parents begin to worry.

This is a nervous tic in a child, the symptoms of which will be discussed in this article. Most often, they do not pose a serious threat to health, other than psychological discomfort. But the reasons for this condition may be different.

Tics can be both muscular and auditory. The general thing is that movements and sounds are made involuntarily, uncontrollably and intensify during the period of greatest nervous excitement. Often children, especially young ones, do not notice these manifestations and do not experience much discomfort.

Older children are aware of the deviation and may try to control it, which is not always successful and, as a result, causes even greater anxiety in the baby. Teenagers can achieve control, but it requires a lot of effort. In any case, nervous tics in children worry parents much more and attract unnecessary attention from others.

Tics affect far more boys than girls (6:1 ratio). They can appear at any age, but the peak occurs at 3.5-7 years and 12-15 years, when the child’s nervous system is most actively rebuilt. By the age of eighteen, in most cases, all manifestations of tics disappear. Only in exceptional cases does the tic continue after reaching maturity.

If a tic is not a symptom of more serious disorders of the nervous system, then it makes itself felt during the daytime and in moments of particularly strong excitement in the child. At night the patient relaxes and sleeps peacefully. This disorder usually goes away on its own. However, if involuntary movements continue for more than a month, are accompanied by grinding teeth during sleep and urinary incontinence, this is a serious symptom that should definitely be addressed by a doctor.

Consultation with a specialist will be useful even with mild manifestations of tics. A neurologist will help determine the causes of the disorder and reassure parents. And for known reasons, it is possible to adjust the child’s life so that nervous abnormalities will remain a thing of the past.

Classification of ticks

All ticks are divided into four categories.

• Motor tics. These include involuntary movements. In children, most often this is a contraction of the facial muscles: blinking, twitching eyebrows, winking, lip movements. Less often - movements with arms or legs, fingers: fiddling with folds of clothing, twitching a shoulder, sharply tilting the head, retracting the stomach, repeating gestures, jumping and even “beating” oneself. They, in turn, are divided into simple and complex. The former involve movements of one muscle, the latter involve muscle groups.
• Vocal tics involve the involuntary production of sounds. They, just like motor ones, can be simple and complex. Simple vocalisms include snorting, grunting, whistling, sniffling, and coughing. When difficult, the child repeats the words, phrases and sounds that he heard. Including obscene language - this condition is called coprolalia.
• Ritual tics are accompanied by the repetition of peculiar “rituals”. For example, drawing circles, an unusual walking style.
• Generalized tics include combined forms of this deviation. For example, when a motor tic is combined with a vocal tic.

In different children, tics manifest themselves in different ways and in different combinations.

Tourette's syndrome

Generalized tics include Tourette's syndrome, a pathology of the nervous system. Most often occurs between the ages of 5 and 15 years. The peak occurs in adolescence. In some cases, the disease goes away on its own, less often it persists for life. However, over the years the symptoms weaken.

The development of the syndrome begins with the appearance of facial muscle tics, then they move to the limbs and torso. Involuntary movements are accompanied by vocalizations, these can be either meaningless sounds or shouting curse words.

Other manifestations of the disease are absent-mindedness, restlessness, and forgetfulness. The child becomes overly sensitive, vulnerable, and sometimes aggressive. At the same time, 50 percent of children and adolescents develop unreasonable fears, panic, obsessive thoughts and actions. These symptoms are uncontrollable, and only a competent specialist can alleviate the condition.

Causes

The causes of nervous tics in a child can either lie on the surface (the situation in the family, at school) or be deeply hidden (heredity). Tics are most often caused by three types of causes in children.

Heredity. If one of the parents suffered from tics in childhood, then their child has a predisposition to their occurrence. However, heredity does not guarantee that a child will certainly get sick.

Physiological reasons

• Past infections. It could be chickenpox, jaundice, flu, herpes. After this, not only the child’s immunity is lowered, but also the nervous system is most vulnerable.
• Long-term poisoning. With prolonged intoxication of the child's body, the child's nervous system also suffers. This may include taking medications, antibiotics, or living in an unfavorable environmental environment. A blow to a child's health is caused by parents smoking in his presence.
• Lack of vitamins and microelements. Occurs with a poor, monotonous diet. The nervous system suffers most from a lack of B vitamins, potassium, and magnesium.
• Lifestyle. Lack of sufficient physical activity, rare exposure to fresh air, and sitting for many hours at the computer or in front of the TV can cause disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system.
• Brain diseases. This includes tumors, benign and malignant, injuries, including birth injuries, encephalitis, trigeminal neuralgia, and vascular pathologies.

Psychological reasons

• Stress. Problems with family, at school, with peers, especially if the child tries to suppress them and keep them to himself, often lead to the appearance of tics in children. Changing educational institutions, moving to another district or city, parental divorce, bullying or rejection from classmates are the most severe emotional stresses for a child. There is even such a thing as “tick September 1”.
• Fright. Most often, it is this that becomes the impetus for the appearance of tic. Anything can scare a child: a scary movie, a nightmare, a thunderstorm or storm, even a sharp sound. A deviation can occur if a child witnesses a major quarrel, scandal, fight, or is attacked by a large animal, for example, a dog.
• Increased loads. Often parents try to give their child comprehensive development and education. And they forget that the child’s psyche is not always able to cope with such an intense load. The child goes to school, then to a tutor, then to language courses or to an art school. At some point, the child’s body cannot withstand the constant pressure. Tick ​​is the least terrible manifestation of an unbearable load.
• Attention deficit. If parents do not pay due attention to their child, spend little time together, rarely talk and praise, then the child tries to earn this attention. As a result, he is constantly in nervous tension.
• Overprotectiveness or authoritarian parenting style. In this case, frustration may also arise as the child is stressed due to increased parental interference in his life. Especially if the mother or father is too strict. Then the child’s companion becomes the fear of making a mistake and being guilty.

Often parents are skeptical about the presence of psychological problems in their child. Firstly, many do not believe that children can experience stress at all. Secondly, almost everyone is sure that this will definitely not affect their children.

Diagnostics

Only a doctor - a pediatric neurologist - can determine for sure nervous tics in a child, symptoms and treatment. The symptoms are often frightening for parents. Of course, the child sometimes changes beyond recognition, performing strange and even frightening obsessive actions. However, in 90% of cases the disease is successfully treated.

You should consult a doctor if the nervous tic is generalized and lasts longer than a month, causes psychological or physical discomfort to the child, or is severe. The initial diagnosis is made based on a survey. The doctor needs to find out how the disease manifests itself, when it began, whether the patient experienced severe stress before it, whether he received a head injury, what medications he took.

In addition, the child may need to see other specialists. Psychotherapist - if a young patient has recently experienced stress. An infectious diseases specialist if there is a suspicion of infectious diseases. A toxicologist if the body has been exposed to toxins. If you suspect a brain tumor, you need to consult an oncologist, and if you have nerve damage in your family, you need to consult genetics.

Therapy for the disorder

If the disorder has serious causes, such as brain diseases, tumors and injuries, treatment is aimed primarily at eliminating these causes. The tic as a consequence will disappear when the child recovers completely.

If children's tics are primary, that is, they exist on their own, getting rid of them involves, first of all, creating a favorable environment.

Psychotherapy will not be superfluous. And not only for children, but also for parents. Not everyone will be able to independently notice, admit their own mistakes in behavior and upbringing and correct them. Therapy for a young patient can be carried out either individually or in a group with children who have similar disorders.

Parents must establish contact with their child. Adjust your pastime so that you can be together more often, find common activities. Heart-to-heart conversations are also necessary. During them, the child will be able to express all the emotions accumulated during the day and calm down. You need to speak words of love to your child and praise him more often.

We need to establish a daily routine. Adequate sleep, regular moderate physical activity, alternating mental and physical work, reducing time spent at the computer or TV can significantly improve the condition of the nervous system. It's a good idea to adjust your diet.

A growing body must receive enough proteins, vitamins and microelements. In the case of teak - B vitamins, potassium and magnesium. These elements are found in animal foods, grains and cereals, especially oatmeal and buckwheat, and fresh vegetables. Bananas and dried apricots are rich in potassium and magnesium.

Treatment with drugs

In severe cases, treatment of nervous tics in children can be done with medication. First of all, sedatives are prescribed. To calm the baby, light herbal preparations based on extracts of valerian, motherwort, and chamomile are sufficient. In more severe cases, antidepressants and antipsychotics may be prescribed.

Vitamins - complex or magnesium with vitamin B6 - are prescribed as auxiliary agents, as well as vascular drugs that improve metabolic processes in the brain. To avoid unpleasant consequences for a fragile body, homeopathic preparations are preferable, or remedies in which the proportion of the healing substance is negligible.

Physiotherapy

Tics can be treated using physiotherapeutic methods. They also imply a calming effect on the nervous system.

These include:

• electrosonotherapy (the child sleeps during a special electric shock) reduces nervous excitability and accelerates metabolic processes;
• galvanization of the brain activates inhibition processes;
• therapeutic massage stimulates blood circulation;
• acupuncture improves blood flow to the brain;
• medicinal electrophoresis of the neck and shoulders has a calming effect;
• ozokerite applications on the neck and shoulders reduce excitability;
• aerophytotherapy reduces susceptibility to stress, improves mood;
• baths with pine extracts relax and restore healthy sleep.

Based on the doctor's opinion, other treatment methods may be prescribed.

The healing power of creativity

In children, nervous disorders can be treated through creativity. Such methods arouse genuine interest in the child, calm him down and lift his spirits. If parents come up with a creative activity for themselves and their offspring, it will be doubly valuable. A child’s excellent mood after such activities is a sure sign of a speedy recovery.

Dancing is useful, especially rhythmic and fiery. For example, tectonic, in which the dancer makes movements reminiscent of teak. It is important that the child finds it interesting, so that during classes he “dances” all bad emotions, relieves nervous and muscle tension, and improves his mood.

All types of needlework and creativity that involve hands, fingers and fine motor skills are also useful. This is modeling, classes with sand. Drawing will help you free yourself from fears, especially if you draw their cause and then destroy it.

Quick tick removal

Muscle twitches often cause discomfort to the baby, especially if he tries to suppress them. When a tic appears, you can try to alleviate this condition. Distraction will help: offer to do something interesting that will occupy the child’s full attention. And it’s better that it’s not a computer or TV.

For eye tics, acupressure relieves the attack. You need to consistently press on points in the center of the brow ridge and in the corners of the eyes for several seconds. Then the child should close his eyes tightly several times for a few seconds. Among the traditional methods, a compress of geranium leaves helps, which in crushed form should be applied to the affected area (not to the eyes).

However, such methods can only relieve the attack for a while, and not cure the tic completely. After some interval (from several minutes to several hours) everything will return, especially if the baby is nervous.

Prevention

The rhythm of life, especially in the city, is accelerating, which cannot but affect children. They are especially vulnerable to stress. Therefore, it is important not only to know how to treat nervous disorders, but also how to prevent their occurrence.

Prevention of tics is the correct daily routine, adequate sleep and nutrition, physical activity, fresh air and lack of overexertion, a favorable environment at home, good and trusting relationships with parents.

In order for children to be calm, parents must be calm. After all, even if mom or dad don’t outwardly show nervousness, the baby will still feel it. Therefore, anyone who wants their children to be healthy and happy should start with themselves.

We hope that our article helped you understand the causes of tics in children (including generalized type tics) and the features of treating nervous tics in children of different ages.

Contents [-]

Nervous tic– a type of hyperkinesis (violent movements), which is a short-term, stereotypical, normally coordinated, but inappropriately performed movement of a certain muscle group, occurring suddenly and repeated many times. A nervous tic is characterized as an irresistible desire to perform a certain action, and although the child is aware of the very presence of a tic, he is unable to prevent its occurrence.

According to recent studies, up to 25% of children of primary school age suffer from nervous tics, and boys are affected three times more often than girls. Often this disease does not cause serious harm to the child’s health and goes away without a trace with age, so only 20% of children with nervous tics seek specialized medical help. However, in some cases, a nervous tic can have very pronounced manifestations, cause serious harm to the physical and psycho-emotional state of the child and manifest itself at an older age. In such cases, the help of a specialist doctor is necessary.

A nervous tic can be motor or vocal (voice).

Motor tics are:

• blinking an eye/eyes;
• frowning forehead;
• grimacing;
• wrinkling of the nose;
• lip biting;
• twitching of the head, arm or leg.

Vocal tics are:

• sniffling;
• coughing;
• snort;
• hiss.

Interesting Facts

• A nervous tic, unlike other types of obsessive movements, is either not recognized by the child or is recognized as a physiological need.
• When tics appear, the child himself may not notice them for a long time, without experiencing any discomfort, and the parents’ concern becomes the reason for going to the doctor.
• A nervous tic can be suppressed by the child’s willpower for a short time (a few minutes). At the same time, nervous tension increases and soon the nervous tic resumes with greater force, and new tics may appear.
• A nervous tic can involve several muscle groups at once, giving it the appearance of a targeted, coordinated movement.
• Nervous tics only appear when you are awake. In a dream, the child does not show any signs of illness.
• Such famous personalities as Mozart and Napoleon suffered from nervous tics.

Innervation of facial muscles To understand the mechanism of occurrence of a nervous tic, certain knowledge from the field of anatomy and physiology is required. This section will describe the physiology of skeletal muscles, since it is their contraction that occurs during a nervous tic, as well as the anatomical features of the innervation of the facial muscles (most often, a nervous tic in children affects facial muscles).
Pyramidal and extrapyramidal systems

All voluntary human movements are controlled by certain nerve cells (neurons) located in the motor zone of the cerebral cortex - in the precentral gyrus. The collection of these neurons is called the pyramidal system.

In addition to the precentral gyrus, motor zones are distinguished in other parts of the brain - in the frontal cortex, in the subcortical formations. The neurons of these zones are responsible for coordination of movements, stereotypic movements, maintaining muscle tone and are called the extrapyramidal system.

Each voluntary movement involves contraction of some muscle groups and simultaneous relaxation of others. However, a person does not think about which muscles need to be contracted and which ones to relax in order to make a certain movement - this happens automatically, thanks to the activity of the extrapyramidal system.

The pyramidal and extrapyramidal systems are inextricably linked with each other and with other areas of the brain. Recent studies have established that the occurrence of nervous tics is associated with increased activity of the extrapyramidal system.

Nerves innervating facial muscles

The contraction of skeletal muscle is preceded by the formation of a nerve impulse in the motor neurons of the precentral gyrus. The resulting impulse is carried along nerve fibers to every muscle of the human body, causing it to contract.

Each muscle receives motor nerve fibers from specific nerves. The facial muscles receive motor innervation mainly from the facial nerve (n. Facialis) and also, partially, from the trigeminal nerve (n. Trigeminus), which innervates the temporal and masticatory muscles.

The area of ​​innervation of the facial nerve includes:

• forehead muscles;
• orbicularis orbitalis muscle;
• cheek muscles;
• nasal muscles;
• lip muscles;
• orbicularis oris muscle;
• zygomatic muscles;
• subcutaneous muscle of the neck;

Synapse In the area of ​​contact between a nerve fiber and a muscle cell, a synapse is formed - a special complex that ensures the transmission of a nerve impulse between two living cells.

The transmission of nerve impulses occurs through certain chemicals - mediators. The mediator that regulates the transmission of nerve impulses to skeletal muscles is acetylcholine. Released from the end of the nerve cell, acetylcholine interacts with certain areas (receptors) on the muscle cell, causing the transmission of the nerve impulse to the muscle.

Muscle structure

Skeletal muscle is a collection of muscle fibers. Each muscle fiber is made up of long muscle cells (myocytes) and contains many myofibrils - thin thread-like structures that run parallel along the entire length of the muscle fiber.

In addition to myofibrils, muscle cells contain mitochondria, which are a source of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) - the energy necessary for muscle contraction, the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which is a complex of cisterns located in close proximity to the myofibrils, and depositing calcium, necessary for muscle contraction. An important intracellular element is magnesium, which promotes the release of ATP energy and is involved in the process of muscle contraction.

The direct contractile apparatus of muscle fibers is the sarcomere - a complex consisting of contractile proteins - actin and myosin. These proteins have the form of threads located parallel to each other. The myosin protein has peculiar processes called myosin bridges. At rest, there is no direct contact between myosin and actin.

Muscle contraction

When a nerve impulse arrives at a muscle cell, calcium is rapidly released from the site of its deposition. Calcium, along with magnesium, binds to certain regulatory zones on the surface of actin and allows contact between actin and myosin through myosin bridges. Myosin bridges attach to actin filaments at an angle of approximately 90° and then change their position by 45°, thereby causing the actin filaments to move closer together and muscle contraction.

After the cessation of nerve impulses to the muscle cell, calcium from the cell is quickly transferred back to the sarcoplasmic cisterns. A decrease in intracellular calcium concentration leads to the detachment of myosin bridges from actin filaments and their return to their original position - the muscle relaxes.

Causes of nervous tics Depending on the initial state of the child’s nervous system, they are distinguished:

• primary nervous tics;
• secondary nervous tics.

Primary nervous tics

Primary (idiopathic) is usually called a nervous tic, which is the only manifestation

nervous system disorders .

Most often, the first manifestations of nervous tics occur in children aged 7 to 12 years, that is, during the period of psychomotor development, when the child’s nervous system is most vulnerable to all kinds of psychological and emotional overload. The appearance of tics before the age of 5 years suggests that the tic is a consequence of some other disease.

The causes of primary nervous tics are:

• Psycho-emotional shock. The most common cause of nervous tics in children. The occurrence of a tic can be triggered by both acute psycho-emotional trauma (fear, quarrel with parents) and a long-term unfavorable psychological situation in the family (lack of attention to the child, excessive demands and strictness in upbringing).
• Tick ​​the first of September. In approximately 10% of children, a nervous tic debuts in the first days of attending school. This is due to a new environment, new acquaintances, certain rules and restrictions, which is a strong emotional shock for the child.
• Eating disorder. A lack of calcium and magnesium in the body, which are involved in muscle contraction, can cause muscle spasms, including tics.
• Abuse of psychostimulants. Tea, coffee, all kinds of energy drinks activate the central nervous system, causing it to work “for wear and tear”. With frequent consumption of such drinks, a process of nervous exhaustion occurs, which is manifested by increased irritability, emotional instability and, as a result, nervous tics.
• Overwork. Chronic lack of sleep, prolonged use of the computer, reading books in poor lighting lead to increased activity in various areas of the brain with the involvement of extrapyramidal systems and the development of nervous tics.
• Hereditary predisposition. Recent studies indicate that nervous tics are transmitted according to an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance (if one of the parents has a defective gene, then he will manifest this disease, and the probability of its inheritance by the child is 50%). The presence of a genetic predisposition will not necessarily lead to the development of the disease, but the chance of developing a nervous tic in such children is greater than in children without a genetic predisposition.

Depending on the severity, a primary nervous tic can be:

• Local– one muscle/muscle group is involved, and this tic dominates throughout the entire period of the disease.
• Multiple– manifests itself in several muscle groups at the same time.
• Generalized(Tourette's syndrome) is a hereditary disease characterized by generalized motor tics of various muscle groups in combination with vocal tics.

Depending on the duration of the primary nervous tic, it can be:

• Transitory– lasting from 2 weeks to 1 year, after which it goes away without a trace. After a certain time, the tic may resume. Transient tics can be local or multiple, motor and vocal.
• Chronic– lasting more than 1 year. It can be either local or multiple. During the course of the disease, tics may disappear in some muscle groups and appear in others, but complete remission does not occur.

Secondary nervous tics Secondary tics develop against the background of previous diseases of the nervous system. The clinical manifestations of primary and secondary nervous tics are similar.

Factors contributing to the occurrence of nervous tics are:

• congenital diseases of the nervous system;
• traumatic brain injury, including congenital;
• encephalitis – an infectious and inflammatory disease of the brain;
• generalized infections – herpes virus, cytomegalovirus, streptococcus;
• intoxication with carbon monoxide, opiates;
• brain tumors;
• some medications - antipsychotics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, central nervous system stimulants (caffeine);
• trigeminal neuralgia - hypersensitivity of the facial skin, manifested by pain when any touch to the facial area;
• hereditary diseases - Huntington's chorea, torsion dystonia.

Changes in a child's body during a nervous tic During a nervous tic, changes occur in the function of all body structures involved in muscle contraction.

Brain Under the influence of the factors listed above, the activity of the extrapyramidal system of the brain increases, which leads to excessive formation of nerve impulses.

Nerve fibers Excess nerve impulses are carried along the motor nerves to the skeletal muscles. In the area of ​​contact of nerve fibers with muscle cells, in the area of ​​synapses, an excessive release of the mediator acetylcholine occurs, which causes contractions of the innervated muscles.

Muscle fibers As stated earlier, muscle contraction requires calcium and energy. With a nervous tic, frequent contractions of certain muscles are repeated for several hours or throughout the day. The energy (ATP) used by the muscle during contraction is consumed in large quantities, and its reserves do not always have time to be restored. This can lead to muscle weakness and muscle pain.

With a lack of calcium, a certain number of myosin bridges cannot connect to actin filaments, which causes muscle weakness and can cause muscle spasm (prolonged, involuntary, often painful muscle contraction).

Psycho-emotional state of the child Constant nervous tics, manifested by winking, grimacing, snoring and other ways, attract the attention of others to the child. Naturally, this leaves a serious imprint on the emotional state of the child - he begins to feel his defect (although before that, perhaps, he did not attach any importance to it).

Some children, when in public places, for example, at school, try to suppress the manifestation of a nervous tic through an effort of will. This, as mentioned earlier, leads to an even greater increase in psycho-emotional stress, and as a result, nervous tics become more pronounced, and new tics may appear.

Diagnosis of nervous tics in children Diagnosis and treatment of nervous tics in children is carried out by a pediatric neurologist (pediatric neurologist).
When should you see a doctor? You should contact a neurologist in the following cases:

• nervous tic is very pronounced;
• multiple nervous tics;
• a nervous tic causes physical discomfort to the child;
• a nervous tic disrupts the child’s social adaptation;
• the nervous tic does not go away on its own within 1 month.

What can a child expect at a doctor’s appointment?

Questions the neurologist will ask:

• When did the nervous tic first appear?
• How does a nervous tic manifest itself?
• Were there any stressful situations in the child’s life before the onset of a nervous tic?
• Under what circumstances does a nervous tic appear more often or intensify?
• What medications were given to the child before going to the doctor?
• Does the child have any known chronic illnesses or previous injuries?
• Did any of the child's close relatives suffer from nervous tics?

What examination will the neurologist conduct?

• Assessment of the child’s general condition– gives the doctor information about the state of the child’s development, the state of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system.
• Assessment of motor functions– stereotypical involuntary contractions of the facial muscles and other muscle groups are detected.
• Assessment of sensory functions– provides information about possible concomitant diseases of the nervous system.
• Reflex assessment– overly pronounced reflexes (hyperreflexia) indicate increased excitability of the child’s nervous system, which may cause nervous tics.

What additional studies can a neurologist prescribe?

When might you need to consult other specialists?

• Psychotherapist– with a primary nervous tic that appears after an acute or chronic stressful situation.
• Infectious disease specialist– if you suspect a brain infection or generalized infections.
• Toxicologist– in case of intoxication with chemicals or medications.
• Oncologist– if a brain tumor is suspected.
• Geneticist– if there is a nervous tic in the child’s close relatives (grandfather, grandmother, parents, siblings).

First aid for nervous tics If a nervous tic occurs that causes physical and emotional discomfort to the child, you can use some techniques to quickly eliminate muscle twitching.
Distracting a child

A very effective way to temporarily eliminate a nervous tic is to find your child an interesting activity that will completely occupy his attention. This could be an interesting board game, drawing, and so on (just not a computer or TV!).

An interesting activity creates a zone of activity in the child’s brain, which drowns out pathological impulses emanating from the extrapyramidal zone, and the nervous tic disappears.

This effect is temporary, and after stopping the “distracting” activity, the nervous tic will resume.

Quick elimination of nervous eyelid tics

• Apply moderate pressure with your finger in the area of ​​the brow ridge (the point where the nerve innervating the skin of the upper eyelid exits the cranial cavity) and hold for 10 seconds.
• Press with the same force in the area of ​​the inner and outer corners of the eye, holding for 10 seconds.
• Close both eyes tightly for 3 to 5 seconds. In this case, you need to tense your eyelids as much as possible. Repeat 3 times with an interval of 1 minute.

Performing these techniques can reduce the severity of a nervous tic, but this effect is temporary - from several minutes to several hours, after which the nervous tic will resume.

Geranium leaf compress

Grind 7 – 10 green geranium leaves and apply to the teak affected area. Cover with several layers of gauze and wrap with a warm scarf or handkerchief. After an hour, remove the bandage and rinse the skin in the area where the compress is applied with warm water.

Treatment of nervous tics

Approximately 10 - 15% of primary nervous tics, being mild, do not have a serious impact on the health and psycho-emotional state of the child and go away on their own after some time (weeks - months). If a nervous tic is severe, causes discomfort to the child and negatively affects his psycho-emotional state, it is necessary to begin treatment as early as possible to prevent the progression of the disease.

In the treatment of nervous tics in children there are:

• non-drug treatment methods;
• drug treatments;
• traditional methods of treatment.

Non-drug treatment methods are priority methods of treatment for primary nervous tics, as well as for secondary nervous tics as part of complex therapy. Non-drug treatment includes a set of measures aimed at restoring the normal state of the nervous system, metabolism, and normalizing the psycho-emotional and mental state of the child.

The main directions of non-drug treatment of nervous tics in children are:

• individual psychotherapy;
• creating a favorable environment in the family;
• organization of work and rest schedules;
• good sleep;
• good nutrition;
• elimination of nervous tension.

Individual psychotherapy This is the most preferred method of treating primary nervous tics in children, since in most cases their occurrence is associated with stress and an altered psycho-emotional state of the child. A child psychiatrist will help the child understand the causes of increased excitability and nervousness, thereby eliminating the cause of nervous tics, and teach the correct attitude towards nervous tics.

After a course of psychotherapy, children experience a significant improvement in their emotional background, normalization of sleep, and a decrease or disappearance of nervous tics.

Creating a favorable family environment First of all, parents should understand that a nervous tic is not pampering, not the whims of a child, but a disease that requires appropriate treatment. If a child has a nervous tic, you should not scold him, demand that he control himself, say that he will be laughed at at school, and so on. The child is unable to cope with a nervous tic on his own, and the parents’ incorrect attitude only increases his internal psycho-emotional stress and aggravates the course of the disease.

How should parents behave if their child has a nervous tic?

• do not focus on the child’s nervous tics;
• treat the child as a healthy, normal person;
• If possible, protect the child from all kinds of stressful situations;
• maintain a calm, comfortable environment in the family;
• try to find out what problems the child has or had recently and help solve them;
• If necessary, contact a pediatric neurologist in a timely manner.

Organization of work and rest schedule Improper time management leads to overwork, stress and nervous exhaustion in the child. With a nervous tic, it is extremely important to exclude these factors, for which it is recommended to follow certain rules regarding work and rest.

Full sleep During sleep, the nervous, immune, and other systems of the body are restored. Disruption of the sleep structure and chronic lack of sleep leads to increased nervous tension, deterioration of the emotional state, and increased irritability, which can manifest itself as nervous tics.

Nutritious food The child must observe the timing of the main meals, the food must be regular, complete and balanced, that is, it must contain all the substances necessary for the child’s growth and development - proteins, fats, carbohydrates, various vitamins, minerals and microelements.

Particular attention should be paid to products containing calcium, since a lack of this element reduces the threshold for excitation of muscle cells and contributes to the manifestation of nervous tics.

Depending on age, the calcium requirement in children is as follows:

• from 4 to 8 years – 1000 mg (1 gram) of calcium per day;
• from 9 to 18 years – 1300 mg (1.3 grams) of calcium per day.

Eliminate nervous tension Activities that require extreme concentration of a child’s attention lead to rapid fatigue, poor sleep and increased nervous tension. As a result, the manifestations of nervous tics intensify, and new tics may appear.

If a child has a nervous tic, the following should be excluded or limited:

• computer and video games, especially before bedtime;
• watching TV for a long time, more than 1 – 1.5 hours a day;
• reading books in inappropriate conditions - in transport, in poor lighting, lying down;
• listening to loud music, especially 2 hours before bedtime;
• tonic drinks - tea, coffee, especially after 18.00.

Drug treatment for nervous tics Drug treatment is used to treat primary and secondary nervous tics. For the drug treatment of nervous tics in children, sedatives and antipsychotic drugs are used, as well as drugs that improve blood circulation and metabolic processes in the brain. You should start with the “lightest” drugs and the minimum therapeutic dose.

Medicines prescribed for children with nervous tics

Traditional methods of treating nervous tics

It has been proven that the use of sedatives, decoctions and infusions has a beneficial effect on the child’s nervous system and reduces the manifestations of nervous tics.

Sedatives used for nervous tics in children

Other methods of treating nervous tics in children

In the treatment of nervous tics in children, the following are successfully used:

• relaxing massage;
• electrosleep.

Relaxing massage A properly performed massage reduces excitement of the nervous system, reduces psycho-emotional stress, improves blood circulation in the brain and muscles, and restores mental comfort, which can reduce the severity of tics. For nervous tics, a relaxing massage of the back, head, face, and legs is recommended. Acupressure of the teak area is not recommended, as this creates additional irritation and can lead to more pronounced manifestations of the disease.

Electroson This is a physical therapy method that uses weak, low-frequency electrical impulses. They penetrate into the cranial cavity through the eye sockets and affect the central nervous system (CNS), enhancing inhibition processes in the brain and causing the onset of sleep.

Effects of electrosleep:

• normalization of emotional state;
• calming effect;
• improving blood supply and nutrition to the brain;
• normalization of the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

The electrosleep procedure is carried out in a special room of a clinic or hospital, equipped with a comfortable couch with a pillow and a blanket. The room must be isolated from street noise and sunlight.

The child should take off his outer clothing and lie down on the couch. A special mask is placed over the child’s eyes, through which an electric current is applied. The current frequency usually does not exceed 120 hertz, the current strength is 1 - 2 milliamps.

The procedure lasts from 60 to 90 minutes - during this time the child is in a state of drowsiness or sleep. To achieve a therapeutic effect, 10–12 sessions of electrosleep are usually prescribed.

Preventing recurrences of nervous tics

Modern living conditions in big cities inevitably lead to increased nervous tension and stress. Children, due to the functional immaturity of the nervous system, are especially sensitive to overexertion. If a child has a predisposition to nervous tics, then there is a very high probability of their appearance at an early age. However, today a nervous tic is a treatable disease, and if you follow certain rules and restrictions, you can not remember this illness for many years.

What should you do to avoid recurrence of a nervous tic?

• maintain a normal psycho-emotional environment in the family;
• provide adequate nutrition and sleep;
• teach the child the correct behavior under stress;
• do yoga, meditation;
• regularly engage in sports (swimming, athletics);
• spend at least 1 hour in the fresh air every day;
• Ventilate your child's room before bedtime.

What can trigger a recurrence of a nervous tic?

• stress;
• overwork;
• chronic lack of sleep;
• tense psycho-emotional situation in the family;
• lack of calcium in the body;
• abuse of tonic drinks;
• watching TV for a long time;
• spending a lot of time at the computer;
• long video games.

• Varieties
• Causes
• Symptoms
• Diagnostics
• Treatment
• Prevention

Violent movements called tics are a type of hyperkinesis. The appearance of a nervous tic in a child can alarm many parents. Involuntary facial contractions or twitching of arms, legs and shoulders cause real panic in suspicious mothers. Others do not pay due attention to the problem for a long time, considering this phenomenon to be temporary.

In fact, to understand whether a nervous tic in children goes away on its own or requires treatment, you need to know the reasons for its occurrence, as well as determine the type. Only on this basis can one understand the need for medical intervention.

Varieties

Nervous tics in children, depending on the causes, are divided into 2 types: primary and secondary. According to the types of manifestation, they are motor and vocal. Many people are familiar with the first type first-hand.

These include normally coordinated, short-term, repeatedly repeated actions:

• extension or flexion of fingers;
• frowning or raising the eyebrows;
• grimacing, wrinkling of the nose;
• movement of arms, legs, head or shoulders;
• twitching or biting of lips;
• twitching or blinking of the eyes;
• flaring of the nostrils or twitching of the cheeks.

The most common are various facial tics, especially eye movements. Motor hyperkinesis of large parts of the body occurs much less frequently, although they are immediately noticeable, as are vivid vocal actions. Involuntary, mildly expressed vocal manifestations go unnoticed for a long time. Parents consider them pampering and scold their children, not understanding the reason for the inappropriate sounds made.

• snorting, hissing;
• sniffing, grunting;
• rhythmic coughing;
• various repeated sounds.

In addition to division based on manifestation and primary causes of occurrence, nervous tics have two more classifications:

1. According to the degree of severity - local, multiple, generalized.
2. By duration - transient, up to 1 year, and chronic.

The degree of manifestation and duration often depend on manifestation factors. The causes are different, and some of them threaten the child’s life.

Causes

Adults do not always pay due attention to the appearance of a tic in a child, attributing its occurrence to fatigue or excessive emotionality. This may be true only for mild primary hyperkinesis.

Primary tics are often caused by seemingly insignificant situations and do not always require medical supervision. The causes of secondary hyperkinesis are very serious and require urgent response.

Primary tics

Tics of this type are not associated with other diseases and occur due to specific psychological or physiological factors. They directly indicate a disorder of the nervous system and in some cases can be eliminated without specific treatment.

Psychological

Often, parents can notice the appearance of a tic in a child at 3 years old. With a high degree of probability, its appearance at this age indicates the primary nature of the disease. Children are experiencing a psychological crisis of independence called “I am on my own!”, which puts a strain on the psyche. It is age-related crises in children that often provoke tics.

Note to parents! The most frequent occurrence of tics in a 7-8 year old child occurs on September 1st. New responsibilities and acquaintances can overload the fragile psyche of first-graders, causing subsequent tic hyperkinesis. Schoolchildren entering the 5th grade are exposed to similar stress, which contributes to the appearance of primary tics in children 10-11 years old.

In addition to the crises of growing up, there are other psychological reasons:

1. Emotional shock - fear, quarrel, death of loved ones or a pet.
2. Peculiarities of upbringing - excessive strictness of parents, excessive demands.
3. Psychological situation - attention deficit, conflicts at home, in kindergarten or school.

Physiological

The occurrence of such reasons is based on a direct connection with biochemical processes in the body. Some of them can also be easily eliminated without medical assistance. Others cannot be eliminated without simultaneously creating a favorable psychological environment in the family and environment. This type includes a hereditary predisposition associated with the transmission of genes responsible for increased activity of the extrapyramidal system.

Attention! The presence of hyperkinesis in one or both parents increases the likelihood of their occurrence in the child by 50%. It is important for such children to ensure proper nutrition and peace in the family. It is also advisable to maintain a daily routine and minimize stressful situations.

Other physiological factors may also have illusory hereditary influences. These are family habits that negatively affect the child’s psyche. They are associated with lifestyle, nutrition, drinking regime and insufficient hygiene.

Hyperkinesis can occur for the following reasons:

1. Presence of helminths.
2. Deficiency of calcium and magnesium in food.
3. Excess of psychostimulating drinks - tea, coffee, energy drinks.
4. Incorrect daily routine and lack of sleep.
5. Insufficient lighting level in the evening.
6. Physical fatigue or prolonged stress from computer games.

Secondary ticks

Not all parents know what to do if their child has a nervous tic; they attribute all types of hyperkinesis to nerves and are unaware of the possible consequences. In the case of secondary tics, neglect can be dangerous. They develop under the influence of various diseases of the nervous system or aggressive influence on it.

They can go away on their own only in 2 cases - if they arose under the influence of medications or as a result of minor carbon monoxide intoxication. In other cases, it is necessary to eliminate the original disease, although sometimes this is not possible.

The reasons for the appearance may be:

1. Herpes, cytomegalovirus.
2. Trigeminal neuralgia.
3. Congenital or acquired traumatic brain injury.
4. Encephalitis and streptococcal infections.
5. Acquired and genetic diseases of the nervous system.

The symptoms of primary and secondary nervous tics are quite similar. Therefore, it is difficult to suspect serious diseases without other accompanying manifestations or specific diagnostics.

Symptoms

Any attentive parent will notice signs of a nervous tic. Muscle twitching in an area of ​​increased innervation or a constantly emitted sound, especially when the child is excited, are the only symptoms.

Interesting! If a child simply blinks his eyes frequently, this does not always mean he has motor hyperkinesis. The tick always repeats at certain intervals and has a specific rhythm. Simple blinking is irregular, but can be excessively frequent due to eye fatigue or too dry indoor air.

The combination of visually noticeable and vocal manifestations, as well as multiple motor hyperkinesis, require more attention from parents. With such symptoms, it is better to visit a neurologist and undergo additional diagnostics. The presence of local or multiple tics in combination with high fever or lethargy of the child requires urgent medical attention.

Diagnostics

A one-time occurrence of short-term hyperkinesis should not be ignored, but it should not cause panic among parents. You should consult a doctor for additional examination if the child has multiple hyperkinesis or local tics that appear regularly over the course of a month.

The doctor will evaluate sensory and motor functions and check for hyperreflexia. Parents should be prepared to answer questions about recent traumatic events, the child's diet, medications taken, and daily routine. Based on the results of the examination, it is possible to prescribe the following tests and examinations:

1. General blood analysis;
2. Tests for helminths;
3. Tomography;
4. Ionography;
5. Encephalography;
6. Consultation with a psychologist.

Even before going to the doctor, parents can find out how to treat a nervous tic in a child. Timely initiation of non-drug treatment in some cases allows you to do without medical help.

Treatment

Often, to treat primary tics, it is enough to eliminate the factors that cause them. In addition to this, you can use physiological and folk methods that promote rapid recovery of the nervous system. Secondary hyperkinesis requires specialized treatment or cannot be eliminated at all.

Traditional methods

Topical folk remedies include various sedative infusions and decoctions. They can be used instead of drinking or given separately.

Can be used:

• chamomile tea;
• drink made from hawthorn fruits;
• anise seed infusion;
• meadowsweet decoction with honey;
• collection with valerian, motherwort or mint.

If a child is comfortable with herbal teas, then it is better to replace all stimulating drinks with them, offering to quench their thirst with decoctions or natural lemonade with honey and mint. Eliminating regular tea and coffee in combination with sedative infusions can quickly reduce the load on the nervous system.

Worth knowing! Timely treatment with folk remedies for psychological tics can be very effective. Hyperkinesis due to poor nutrition or secondary tics cannot be overcome with the help of sedatives and other folk methods.

You can also apply a warm compress of fresh geranium leaves 1-2 times a day. They need to be crushed and applied to the site of increased innervation for one hour, covered with a scarf or scarf. This method cannot be used for more than 7 days.

Unconventional treatment

Unusual methods of treatment or special Chinese techniques may seem ineffective only at first glance. To relieve stress, relaxing procedures aimed at calming the nervous system are acceptable.

These include:

• massage;
• acupuncture;
• electrosleep;
• aromatherapy;
• water procedures.

A visit to the sauna, swimming in the pool and a relaxing massage can relieve tension on their own. Electrosleep and aromatherapy not only have a calming effect, but also subsequently help increase resistance to nervous stress.

Nervous eye tics can be eliminated with acupressure. You need to find a small depression on the brow ridge, located closer to the center, and press it with your finger, holding it for 10 seconds. After this, repeat the procedure at the outer and outer edge of the eye, pressing on the orbit, and not on the soft tissue.

Medication

Treatment with drugs is related to the causes of occurrence. Secondary tics are treated only after overcoming the disease that caused them or together with it, and primary ones according to examination data.

The list of medications is wide (only a doctor can prescribe):

• sedatives - Novopassit, Tenoten;
• antipsychotropic - Sonapax, Haloperidol;
• nootropic - Piracetam, Phenibut, Cinnarizine;
• tranquilizers - Diazepam, Sibazol, Seduxen;
• mineral preparations - Calcium glucanate, Calcium D3.

It sometimes takes a long time to cure a nervous tic in a child. It is much easier to provide prevention in advance, this is especially true for primary tics.

Prevention

The most effective measures to prevent nervous tics in children are healthy relationships in the family, proper nutrition, adherence to a daily routine and adequate exercise.

It is worth spending more time outdoors, be sure to play sports and teach your child how to properly throw out negative emotions, as well as reduce the amount of time spent playing video games. Timely treatment of helminthic infestations also helps prevent the appearance of nervous tics.

It is important to remember that frequent eye blinking can be a nervous tic and requires a timely reaction. Eye hyperkinesis in children is very common and in most cases can be easily eliminated immediately after it occurs.

Parents should be aware of age-related crises and educate their children to have the right attitude towards changing circumstances. Multiple or prolonged tics, especially in combination with other symptoms, require additional examination and should not be ignored.

If appeared nervous tic in a child, then parents should reconsider their attitude towards him and each other. This pathology is directly related to the psychological and emotional state of the baby. However, there are other factors that can cause pathology.

Tics are divided into 2 groups: muscle and sound. They have one thing in common - involuntary screams or actions that intensify during periods of nervous excitement. Children are not always able to notice this condition. But adults must be very careful. An advanced nervous tic can be complicated by concomitant disorders, including somatic ones.

The greatest danger of a nervous tic is the appearance of complexes in older children, since they cannot control the condition. All this leads to even greater worries, irritability and excitability. In boys, the pathology occurs 6 times more often than in girls. And nervous tics appear at any age - from 1-2 years to 12-15. In some cases, the pathology persists until the end of life.

The following types of nervous tics are distinguished in children:

• Motor. This group includes disorders that are associated with involuntary movements. In children, the facial muscles are most often affected. This is manifested by a sharp twitching of the eyelids, lips and eyebrows. Slightly less common are disorders such as movements of the head, shoulders, arms or legs. The child can sort through clothes with his fingers. The rarest and most noticeable forms are jumping up and trying to hit oneself in the face or body. Motor tics can be simple or complex. In the first case, involuntary movements affect mainly 1 muscle, and in the second, an entire group.
• Ritual forms. These tics are associated with entire actions that the child performs several times over a short period of time. Ritual tics belong to a complex group: the baby describes circles and moves unusually.
• Vocal forms. Tics in a child of this nature are associated with involuntary screams or other sounds. Like motor ones, they are divided into simple and complex types. So, simple ones include: coughing, whistling, snorting and other similar sounds. With complex ones, the child can repeat entire phrases or words.
• Generalized tics. This form includes different types of deviations. Sometimes head twitching is observed along with vocal disturbances, as well as other combinations.

Tourette's tic syndrome deserves special attention. This is a generalized disorder that develops from the age of 5 years and can persist throughout life. Sometimes it goes away on its own, or the symptoms subside.

Important! The development of the disease begins with twitching of the facial muscles, then the torso and limbs are involved. Vocal tics are gradually added - sounds and swear words.

Tourette syndrome has other signs: absent-mindedness, inability to concentrate, problems with staying alert and forgetfulness. Children also become very vulnerable or even aggressive. Sometimes fears, panic and obsessive thoughts develop.

Causes of nervous tics

The cause of a nervous tic in a child can be complex or simple. For example, if a child is in an unpleasant environment due to problems at school or family, then this is a superficial reason.

But there are severe cases inherited from parents. A hereditary factor may be associated either directly with the fact that one of the parents suffered from tics in childhood, or with the transfer of a mutated gene that is responsible for the disease.

These diseases are associated with disruption of muscle structures and the impulses that the brain sends to them to activate movement.

Physiological causes of tics

Various factors can trigger a nervous tic in a child, often the cause lies in diseases:

• severe infections– tic develops as a complication of influenza, herpes, chickenpox and other diseases. Against the background of the disease, immunity sharply decreases, the nervous system suffers, and pathological changes occur;
• lack of vitamins and minerals in the body– typical in the presence of malnutrition. If there are not enough B vitamins, then the nervous system comes under heavy blow;
• wrong lifestyle– stress, excessive psychological or emotional stress, including abuse of violent computer games;
• brain diseases– tumors, cysts, as well as severe infectious infections such as encephalitis, vascular disease.

Psychological causes are no less important for nervous tics in a child. In most cases, it is because of them that pathology develops.

Psychological factors of tics

The following events cause nervous tics in children:

• Stress. Any problems - at school or family - provoke stress. Emotional experiences can lead to various diseases.

• Fright. The strongest emotion, considered the number 1 reason for the appearance of a nervous tic.

• Increased mental stress. Parents' excessive enthusiasm for their child's education leads to the fact that his nervous system cannot withstand the prescribed load.
• Attention deficit. This cause is unusual, but can lead to the development of pathology due to nervous tension.

• Overprotection. The opposite cause of attention deficit.

The biggest mistake parents make is to neglect the psychological causes of tics in their child. Many people believe that stress and similar problems cannot develop in children.

First aid for tic appearance

A nervous tic can begin suddenly and severely, causing the child significant discomfort. The pathology is based on the mechanism of muscle spasm. And it can be eliminated, alleviating suffering:

• distract the child from the problem - use regular games, just not cartoons or a computer;

• after this, you can apply a little pressure on the area in the area of ​​the superciliary arch (in the middle), hold your finger for 10-15 seconds;
• then you need to press on the outer and inner corners of the eyes for the same amount of time;

• Afterwards, the baby should close his eyes as hard as he can for 5 seconds.

The last exercise must be repeated 2-3 times with a break of 1 minute. However, emergency measures are not a cure for the disease.

Nervous tic therapy

A specialist should treat nervous tics in children after diagnosis. You need to contact a neurologist, who will then issue a referral for tests and instrumental examination. If there is a suspicion of any illness or mental pathology, then visit a psychotherapist and doctors responsible for certain disorders.

Non-drug approach in the treatment of nervous tics takes first place in priority. However, medications are sometimes necessary to relieve symptoms. The child is also prescribed psychotherapeutic consultations. Non-drug methods include:

• psychotherapy – it is carried out individually with the child;
• work with parents aimed at changing the unfavorable or tense situation in the family;
• normalization of the daily routine - it is important that the baby sleeps at least 8 hours at night.

Important, so that the child eats well, never skips breakfast and exercises. This has a positive effect not only on the treatment of nervous tics in children, but also affects the child’s discipline, organization and stress resistance.

Use of medications

Drug therapy for nervous tics in a child is designed to relieve the little patient from anxiety, irritability, and insomnia. First you need to take mild medications. If they do not help, the doctor prescribes more severe drugs with a sedative and hypnotic effect:

• "Novo-Passit". A herbal sedative that relieves stress and improves sleep.

• "Thioridazine." The medication is prescribed to eliminate fear and emotional stress.
• "Cinnarizine." Multifunctional remedy for cerebral circulation. Helps to relax, dilates blood vessels.
• "Phenibut." A potent drug whose purpose is to improve brain metabolism. It also affects blood circulation, increases resistance to stress factors, and has a positive effect on sleep.

• "Diazepam." A potent tranquilizer that eliminates fear, anxiety and other symptoms of emotional stress. Affects motor functions, reduces motor activity and speeds up falling asleep. It has a good effect on muscles, relieves spasms and helps them relax.
• "Haloperidol." A drug to combat anxiety. It is stronger than the first 3 drugs, it suppresses excess activity better than diazepam.

• Calcium gluconate. This substance is prescribed if there is calcium deficiency in the body, against the background of which muscle nervous tics appear.

You can use herbal remedies - pills And tinctures. Motherwort, for example, is good for relieving anxiety. You can prepare the solution yourself by mixing 2 tbsp. l. herbs and a glass of boiling water.

Valerian rhizomes and chamomile flowers have a calming effect. However, the effectiveness of these remedies may not be enough to combat nervous tics in a child. It is necessary to take any natural medicines only after consulting a doctor, as they can cause allergies.

If the pathology is caused by any serious abnormalities such as tumors, then it is impossible to do without surgery. Often a tic becomes a consequence of a serious illness. With a comprehensive and timely approach, it can be completely eliminated. Tourette's syndrome is a severe and unpleasant form of nerve damage. However, this pathology is very rare - 1-2 times per 100-200 thousand children.

A nervous tic in a child is a neurological disorder associated with both the emotional, psychological and physical condition of the little patient. Any pediatrician can recognize the pathology during a routine examination. And her treatment should not be delayed.

Symptoms of a nervous tic in a child can occur at any age. Therefore, parents need to be prepared for this. A tic is understood as a lightning-fast involuntary contraction of a group of muscles on the face or in a limb. Its severity can vary - from barely noticeable twitching to severe manifestations. To prevent this from happening, you should contact a specialist at the first signs of a neurological disorder.

Most often, involuntary muscle contraction in one or another part of the baby’s body occurs between the ages of seven and ten years. The clinical picture of a nervous tic will be primary – with a disorder directly in the structures of the brain, or secondary – against the background of diseases of the internal organs.

Experts traditionally divide the symptoms of the disease into motor ones - contractions of motor muscle groups, as well as manifestations of vocal tics. External signs of pathology:

• head shaking - rhythmic, involuntary, repetitive;
• raising the shoulders - often on both sides;
• cheek twitching;
• blinking frequently;
• lip trembling;
• raising eyebrows;
• flinching - for no obvious reason.

In addition to the immediate symptoms of secondary hyperkinesis, vocal manifestations of the disorder include:

• various repeated sounds - grunting;
• sniff;
• snoring;
• whistling.

An increase in nervous tics in a child, the symptoms and treatment of which, it would seem, have already been established and corrected, can occur under neuropsychological stress. The emotional background - the loss of a loved one, a new school team, will serve as a provoking factor for a relapse of the disease.

You can distinguish a nervous tic from other psychological disorders by the absence of negative symptoms at night - in a state of drowsiness, deep sleep, the baby is relaxed, and there is no contraction of muscle fibers.

Classification

Violent movements, which are, in fact, the only sign of tics in children, are always coordinated, but inappropriate. They arise suddenly, are repeated many times, and are practically uncontrollable. Tick ​​does not cause any harm to the health of children, but it can affect their social adaptation.

Classification:

By the nature of external manifestations:

• motor tics – blinking, tension of the wings of the nose, shrugging of shoulders;
• A vocal tic in a child is characterized by coughing, snoring, or grunting or sniffling;
• The ritual type of disorder is characterized by the repetition of a certain sequence of movements, for example, walking in a circle;
• generalized forms of nervous deviation - the baby develops not one, but several motor tics.

According to the course of the disease:

• simple - contraction involves one muscle group, for example, eyelid, cheek;
• complex forms - involuntary movements suddenly appear in several parts of the child’s body at once.

According to the duration, episodes of the disease are:

• short-term – transient tics in children, with rare exacerbations;
• constant - daily, repeated several times a day.

By age of patients:

• in infants - doctors look for reasons during pregnancy and complications during childbirth;
• for younger schoolchildren, the beginning of educational activities is associated with excessive psychological stress;
• nervous tic in a teenager - hormonal changes in the body cause stress, alienation from peers, and provoke nervous disorders.

Of course, the classification of the disease can be supplemented by doctors. So, for a nervous eye tic in a child, a specialist indicates the provoking factor, the severity of the pathology, and whether the disease can be corrected.

Diagnostics

When faced with nervous tics in children, doctors first try to find out the cause of their occurrence. After all, the basis for the formation of the disorder is precisely a psychological failure - tension in the psycho-emotional sphere of the child.

A thorough history taking - questioning the baby's parents, talking directly with him, allows us to establish what could have been the impetus. Most often, the causes of tics in children are as follows:

• shock - the child experienced an attack, a car accident;
• malnutrition – deficiency of microelements in the diet;
• overwork – excessive workload of the school curriculum, strict requirements in the sports section;
• hereditary predisposition - tic in a child, as a consequence of various neurological diseases in the family.

Consultation with a neurologist is the first stage in diagnosing nervous tics. The doctor evaluates both the physical development of the baby and his psychological characteristics. Reflexes, cognitive abilities, and general health are subject to analysis.

The presumptive diagnosis will subsequently be confirmed or refuted by the results of laboratory and instrumental studies. Thus, the specialist will recommend conducting electroencephalography, brain tomography, general and biochemical blood tests. Ultrasound of internal organs will allow us to study their functional characteristics and the presence of chronic diseases. Only after carefully studying all the information, the specialist will give his opinion and select the appropriate treatment.

Drug therapy

Since the body of children is in continuous development - both the brain and skeletal muscles, the correction of movement disorders, as motor tics in a child are otherwise called, must be selected by a doctor. Self-medication is absolutely unacceptable - some medications cause irreparable harm.

The pharmaceutical industry offers many safe drugs to treat nervous disorders in children. As a rule, the active substances in them are plant based. For example, “Novo-Passit”, “Bayushki-Bayu”, “Sound Sleep”. The doctor will determine the dosage, frequency of administration, and duration of treatment for tics, taking into account the child’s age and the severity of negative symptoms.

In the absence of a positive result, the specialist will determine how to treat a nervous tic in a child, taking into account the etiology of the disease, the recommendations of the psychotherapist, and the results of additional diagnostic procedures. Thus, it is allowed to introduce antipsychic drugs and tranquilizers into the treatment regimen.

Symptomatic therapy will improve brain activity in children, which, in turn, will eliminate vocal tics. For example, a specialist will recommend a course of nootropic drugs, vitamin-mineral complexes, antiplatelet agents, and dietary supplements.

If there is a need to replenish the supply of microelements - calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, for a child with tic, the doctor will prescribe treatment with appropriate tablets and solutions. Calcium gluconate and Panangin have proven themselves well. At the same time, it is allowed to use traditional medicine recipes for children’s tics - infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs, which also contain vitamins and essential oils. However, each of these prescriptions should first be agreed with your doctor.

Non-drug therapy

At an early stage of occurrence, tics in children are best treated without introducing chemicals into the child’s body at all. The main directions of drug-free therapy:

• individual psychotherapy - conversations with a psychotherapist, fairy tale therapy, art therapy;
• correction of the psychological situation in the family - absence of quarrels between parents in the presence of the baby, lowering the level of requirements for academic performance at school;
• organizing work and rest schedules according to the child’s age – tics often accompany nervous exhaustion and overwork;
• physiotherapy - has proven itself in the fight against childhood tics; electrosleep;
• children's massage - improves blood circulation inside the head, relaxes spasmodic muscle groups;
• sleep - night rest in a well-ventilated, darkened, quiet room.

It is also necessary to review the baby’s diet - nervous tics will appear if the diet is dominated by baked goods, pasta, and fast food. Whereas for the health of the nervous system, fresh vegetables and various fruits, salads and cereals, red meat and fatty fish are needed.

With a mild course of the disease, the treatment of tics in children can be done without medications at all. It is enough to find out the main cause of the disorder and eliminate it - conflict in the family, in the school community, between peers, psychocorrection of experienced fear, stress, shock.

Prevention

The priority direction in the treatment of neurological disorders, including nervous tics in children, is, of course, their prevention. To prevent the onset of illness, it is enough to be attentive to all the needs of the child’s body.

So, in a child’s diet, the emphasis should be on vegetables and fruits, cereals and dairy products. The balance of vitamins and microelements will allow the nervous system to form and work at full strength, without such failures as tics.

Children's daily routine is an important component of their health. It is better to alternate active games with long walks in the fresh air, as well as mandatory daytime sleep. In this case, the cerebral cortex will have time to recover and continue its work correctly.

However, an important condition for the healthy development of a baby is the care and love of his parents. In a calm family environment, with maximum support from parents, children grow up psychologically strong, resilient, and full-fledged members of society.