Best Tics Doctors in Kolkata

Tics are unexpected, repetitive movements or sounds a person exhibits without conscious control. These actions are often associated with stress, anxiety, tiredness, happiness, or excitement. They originate from involuntary impulses in the brain's movement control systems. Although their exact cause remains unknown, they tend to run in families, implying a genetic link. Furthermore, tics are more frequent in males and can be aggravated in individuals with ADHD, OCD, or heightened anxiety levels.

In Kolkata, city life poses additional lifestyle challenges that could trigger or exacerbate tics in susceptible individuals. Fortunately, at Apollo Hospitals Kolkata, skilled neurology specialists for tics are well-equipped to diagnose and manage these conditions.

Types/Stages of Tics

Tics are usually classified as:

• Motor Tics: They involve physical movements such as blinking, jerking, or touching. They can be simple (only one muscle group, like nose wrinkling) or complex (multiple muscle groups, like mimicking movements).

• Vocal Tics: These involve sounds like coughing or grunting. They can be simple (a single sound like throat clearing) or complex (more meaningful speech like repeating words).

Based on disease progression impact on daily life, tics can also be categorised into:

• Provisional Tic Disorder: Presence of single or multiple motor and/or vocal tics for less than one year.

• Persistent (Chronic) Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder: Presence of either motor or vocal tics (but not both) for more than one year.

• Tourette Syndrome: Characterized by multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic, with symptoms lasting for more than one year.

Symptoms of Tics

Tic symptoms vary significantly but generally include the following:

• Sudden, repetitive movements or sounds such as Throat clearing, sniffing, grunting, humming, co

  ughing.

• A preceding uncomfortable sensation or urge that is relieved by performing the tic.

• Difficulty controlling eye blinking,

  facial grimacing,

  shoulder shrugging, he

  ad jerking,

  neck twisting.

Tests to Diagnose Tics

Apollo Hospitals Kolkata have expert doctors for tic disorders that deploy various strategies to diagnose tics:

• Detailed Patient History: To understand the duration, frequency, and type of tics.

• Physical Examination: To rule out other movement disorders.

• Neurological Examination: To assess nerve and brain function.

• Observation: To witness and assess the tics directly.

• Video Recording: A careful recording can help analyze the tic accurately.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Tics at Apollo Hospitals Kolkata

A range of treatment options are available for patients experiencing tics disorder. These include:

• Medications: These are prescribed to reduce the frequency and severity of tics. These may include dopamine blockers, antipsychotics, etc.

• Behavioural Therapies: A range of behavioural therapies like Comprehensive Behavioural Intervention for Tics or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is used under the guidance of a doctor for tic disorder treatment.

• Self-help Tips: Doctors for tic prevention may recommend avoiding stress triggers and using relaxation techniques to manage tic symptoms effectively.

Apollo Hospital's neurology department features some of the best doctors for tic control with a comprehensive range of services for patients including diagnosis, treatment, and management. Patients can book appointments with experienced neurology specialists at the hospital to develop a personalized plan for managing their tics.