Children aged 5-7 and 10-11 years are often susceptible to nervous tics. This phenomenon occurs due to psychological experiences. At the same time, a nervous tic can appear as a result of damage to the central nervous system, which happens with epidemic encephalitis.

In addition, inflammatory processes in this area can be the cause of facial tics. Tic-like movements can also cause magnesium deficiency in the body. To compensate for the deficiency of this microelement, you need to eat legumes - peas and beans, oatmeal and buckwheat.

It is necessary to eliminate exactly the cause, and therefore the method of treating tic depends on its nature. In particular, if it is caused by organic problems, these problems should be eliminated first. However, in any case, the treatment will be quite long, requiring observation by a neurologist and a lot of patience.

Stressful nervous tic in a child

It is more difficult to cure a stress nervous tic in a child. Most often, smart and emotional children, quite developed, suddenly begin to show signs of tics - trembling of the eyelids, lips, hands, etc.

However, this is not a disease, but a feature of the structure of the nervous system, inherent in impressionable children. Their nervous system is more tense than that of phlegmatic people. Such manifestations last quite a long time, but by adolescence they usually gradually disappear. And the calmer and friendlier the environment in the family, the less stress the child has, the faster the nervous tic will pass.

The child developed a nervous tic: what to do?

There is no need to think that you should just calm down and wait for the manifestation of a nervous tic to disappear, folding your arms. On the contrary, you need to identify all problems in relationships in the family, in kindergarten or at school, with friends. Then it is necessary to promptly stop the excessive load on the sensitive child.

Various long-term influences that traumatize his psyche should not be allowed. Excessive demands and strictness, lack of attention from parents, their warmth and expressions of love for the child, as well as lack of interest in his worries and concerns can easily upset mental balance.

For a receptive child, a friendly and calm atmosphere at home is extremely important. The same can be said about school problems, as well as the stress that studying requires, the fear of testing school knowledge and being judged by classmates. By identifying such moments in all contact areas of the child, you may be able to determine the real cause of stress. Then it will become much easier to fight him.

At the same time, the child should be helped to relieve internal and external stress. Sedatives and restoratives, baths, and massage will help with this.

It should be borne in mind that drugs that affect the nervous system also have side effects. Therefore, you need the help of a neurologist who will prescribe medications that are most suitable for your child. The help of a psychotherapist who has various special techniques and techniques will also be very useful.

Nervous tic- a phenomenon that occurs repeatedly in children and adults. Everyone has experienced it at least once in their life. With strong nervous excitement, twitching of the eyebrow or eyelid most often occurs. This type of tic occurs most often in children aged two to ten years.

Nervous tic- this is a spontaneous contraction of the facial muscles, it resembles ordinary movements, it differs only in that a person cannot control them.

Types of nervous tics and ssymptoms

There are several reproduction mechanisms nervous tic:

• Motor– unintentional contraction of muscles in the face and throughout the body: twitching of the shoulder and fingers, as well as grinding of teeth.
• Vocal– reproduction of sounds (grunting, smacking, grunting and others) occurs completely uncontrollably.
• Local ticks– spontaneous movement of only one muscle group.
• Generalized– movement of several groups.
• Simple nervous tics- like all of the above
• Complex- pulling hair, wrapping it around fingers.

Types of ticks

Primary nervous tics

Typically, the source is:

• Psychological trauma received in childhood (severe pain or fear). It can develop over a long period of time, and also become chronic, for example, when a child argues with adults every day and really lacks parental attention. The child's psyche is fragile, as a result of which the reaction to stressful situations can be expressed by nervous tics.
• ADHD(attention deficit hyperreactivity disorder), or in childhood neurosis, usually expressed in obsessive movements.
• Phobias stimulating stress.
• Exhaustion of the body and nervous system.
• Constantly exhausted and tired.

As a rule, primary nervous tics go away on their own. For the most part, they do not even require drug intervention.

Secondary nervous tics

Their main difference is that getting rid of them without medical intervention is impossible.

Among the causes are:

• Poisoning affecting the brain.
• Taking medications (psychotropic, anticonvulsants and others).
• Tumors and diseases of the brain (infectious).
• Mental illness (such as schizophrenia).
• Injury and damage to internal organs, leading to metabolic disorders in the blood and toxin content (arteriosclerosis, stroke).

For example, after treating a sore throat, many people strain their throat muscles too much when drinking water or food. This is due to the fact that during illness these actions were special to prevent pain effects, but after that they became established in the body as a constant movement.

Hereditary nervous tics, or Tourette's disease

Doctors have not definitively established the cause of this disease, one thing is known - it inherited. If one parent suffers from this pathology, then the chance of passing it on to the future generation is 50 to 50%. Develops in childhood, symptoms weaken as adults.

Among the causes of the disease are:

• Lack of vitamin B6;
• A lot of stress;
• Bad environment;
• Autoimmune processes.

Doctors have hypothesized that streptococcal infection can cause Tourette's disease. There is no evidence yet, but this hypothesis cannot be ruled out.

Treatment of nervous tics in children

Nervous tic– a consequence of false messages from the brain to various parts of the body. In children it can be caused by psychological trauma and is called - primary tic.

Among the symptoms:

• Distracted attention;
• Anxiety;
• Feeling of fear;
• Various types of neuroses.

As a rule, all this happens against the background of ADHD - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. After the treatment course you will be able to observe:

• Restored nervous system, thanks to nutrients and improved blood circulation;
• And improvement of the mental and physical state of the body.

Drug treatment

The use of integral medicine in this matter occupies a leading place, since the impact on the source of the disease contributes not only to getting rid of symptoms, but also to improving the health of the human body as a whole and preventing similar cases in the near future.

As a rule, doctors prescribe medications such as phenibut, glycine, magnesium B6, pantogam, tenoten, novo-passit and others. A specialist will help you about the need for drug treatment and dosage of medications.

Folk remedies

Any treatment should be carried out after consultation with a doctor. If drug intervention is not required, nervous tics in children can be treated with folk remedies. Particularly popular are

• Calming charges. They can be purchased at a pharmacy and brewed at home. You can study the method of use and dosage in the instructions. As a rule, such fees include: chamomile, anise seeds.
• Scented pillows. Such pillows are placed next to the sleeping child. To fill the pads, chamomile, lavender, and rosehip are used. You can make collections of herbs and flowers.

IMPORTANT! A child may have an allergic reaction to any drug or component of the collection. It is important to stop treatment in a timely manner and consult a doctor!

Definition of tic, how it manifests itself

Under the term " nervous tic“implies lightning-fast contractions of individual muscle groups: blinking, movements of the nose, corner of the mouth, shoulders, and the entire body.

By their nature, they are extremely reminiscent of protective reflexes, with the goal of removing specks from the eye, throwing off a constricting belt, and throwing up a strand of hair falling onto the forehead. But the pace of movement in children during nervous tics slightly different from the latter. Reactions are carried out too hastily, convulsively, their usual rhythm is lost. Several movements in a row, rapidly accomplished, are followed by a pause and then resumed with renewed vigor.

Often tics tics that arise in any one part of the musculature are replaced by tics in another. In some cases children Simultaneously with tic twitches, they make various sounds with their nose and mouth.

Resisting tics is usually accompanied by feelings of intense anxiety and even sadness. Renewing them immediately relieves the tense state.

Majority children, who suffer nervous tic– subjects of a very unique type, extremely hyperaesthetic to the irritations of their body, easily fixated on their sensations, not independent, extremely indecisive in their reactions, affectively unstable, in a word “infantile”.

Possible causes of tics in children

As for the etiopathogenesis of tics, the following assumptions can be made.

• Firstly, for a tic to occur, some kind of irritation of the area that is most recently affected is usually necessary.
• A child who has had blepharitis or conjunctivitis retains a blinking tic, which was once a protective function, for some time after the end of the illness.
• A child who has experienced discomfort from hair falling on his forehead retains the “habit” of throwing his hair back from his forehead, and this movement takes on the character of impetuosity. Clothes that are tight for the child will cause shoulder tics, and so on.

In short, a tick is a movement that has lost its purpose, but once served as protection child from an unpleasant irritant. It seems that in those vulnerable, hyperaesthetic children, the initial irritation left behind a lasting engram.

IMPORTANT! The fact that the tic is an automated movement strongly suggests that it is realized in the subcortical region.

Being thus, in a very large number of cases, caused by an initial irritation of some area of ​​the body, the tic can subsequently serve as an expression protecting the child from unpleasant mental experiences. The latter gives a state of tension that is not resolved in ordinary acts and verbal reactions due to the indecisiveness and ambivalence of the sick child. Instead, discharge is carried out in a motor act - a tic.

If, along with this, a sick child, with his usually already low activity, is subjected to constant inhibition from those around him, then as a result, tic movements can especially easily arise or linger for a long time.

Useful video

About the imperfection of the nervous system, about nervous tics in children and the doctor will tell you about the treatment Komarovsky and Dr. Pogac.

Results

Course and prognosis nervous tics in children fluctuate in connection with his personality, the person suffering from it, the psychogenic experiences of the latter and the degree of organization of his environment.

• Psychotherapeutic conversations that reveal the child’s personality and the complexes that feed his illness give excellent results.
• Along the way, a lot of work should be done with the people around the child, with the goal of reducing the inhibition of the child by his parents and educators.
• In the process of treatment, a stage is inevitable during which, along with a decrease in tics, the child reveals previously completely absent aggression towards others, thereby becoming temporarily extremely “difficult” in the family.
• Prevention comes down to educational measures (minimal inhibition of the child’s activity) and to the timely resolution of his conflict experiences.
• It is important to consult a doctor when treating tics in children with medication.

Photos and videos: free Internet sources

Every parent dreams of their child growing up healthy and happy. But no baby is immune from the disease. And if most mothers are prepared for viral infections or colds and cope with them successfully, then a nervous tic in a beloved child can frighten even very experienced parents. To help your child, restore his health and prevent complications, you need to have information about what causes nervous tics and how to behave in this situation.

What is pathology

Nervous tics can be described as arrhythmic, repetitive, sudden movements of certain parts of the body. In fact, this is a type of hyperkinesis, that is, involuntary muscle contractions. There are no obsessive movements during sleep; the child suffers from them only while awake. A nervous tic may not be recognized by children or may be perceived as a physiological need.

Psychologists say that it is possible to stop an obsessive tic, but this is tantamount to interrupting the act of sneezing, that is, it leads to significant internal discomfort.

Tics themselves do not cause significant discomfort to the baby; he may not even notice them. Concerned parents, having seen “abnormal” repetitive movements, most often perceive them as a bad habit and try to wean the child from it, constantly making comments or pulling back. This is also facilitated by the fact that several different muscle groups can be involved in the process at the same time, and this gives the pathology the appearance of purposeful and conscious movements.

Through an effort of will, the baby is able to suppress obsessive hyperkinesis for some time. But internal tension in such a situation grows, and after a certain time the tics return, and more pronounced.

A nervous tic is a type of hyperkinesis, involuntary muscle contractions.

According to researchers, about a quarter of all children of preschool, primary and secondary school age are susceptible to tics. This phenomenon is often observed at 3–4 years old and at 5–7 years old - during the adaptation stage in preschool institutions and schools. Boys are affected approximately three times more often than girls. In most cases, tic hyperkinesis does not cause serious harm to health and disappears without a trace with age, so parents of only a small part of such children seek medical help. But sometimes tics are very pronounced, appear in late adolescence and cause significant harm to the psycho-emotional and physical state of the child.

In children under one year old, mothers often notice the so-called tremor (shaking) of the chin, limbs, lips, which is a physiological condition and goes away over time - by 3-4 months. If this does not happen and trembling begins to be accompanied by stereotypical twitching, then we may be talking about congenital pathologies of the nervous system. Then urgent consultation with a specialist is required.

Up to two years of age, nervous tics appear extremely rarely, but if this phenomenon is present in an infant, then most likely the cause is a congenital disorder of the nervous system

The severity and duration of the disease is influenced by the age of the child at which it manifested. At the same time, the timing of the onset of the disease often indicates its cause:

• in children under three years of age, nervous tics indicate a serious neurological problem, usually congenital;
• From 3 to 10 years, children suffer from tics of a psychogenic nature, while at puberty, as a rule, regression of symptoms is observed.

Doctors say that tics are a borderline condition, so the phenomenon should be considered from the point of view of several specialists: a neurologist, pediatrician, psychologist and psychiatrist.

Video: tics in children

Classification of nervous tics in children

Nervous tics in children have various forms and manifestations. Even an experienced specialist is sometimes unable to quickly understand the situation. The classification of pathology is primarily based on the state of the child’s nervous system, that is, the presence or absence of organic brain damage. In this regard, hyperkinesis is divided into primary (idiopathic or functional) and secondary.

Nervous tics are said to be primary if they are the only manifestation of nervous disorders. This type of tics usually occurs after 5 years. When hyperkinesis appears before the age of five, it is necessary to consider the possibility that it is secondary, that is, against the background of another neurological disease.

Tics are motor (muscular, motor) and vocal (phonic, that is, vocal).

According to the strength of manifestations, primary tics are:

• single, or local, in which only one muscle or a whole group is involved in the process, but during the entire period of the disease it is precisely this obsessive movement that dominates;
• multiple (widespread), which appear simultaneously in different muscle groups.

Both phonic and motor hyperkinesis can be complex or simple.

Tics can be simple and complex, motor and vocal, sometimes combined

The generalized form is a collection of complex vocal and motor tics of a widespread nature. This complex symptom is manifested by a hereditary pathology - Tourette's syndrome.

Tics can vary in duration. In this regard, they distinguish:

• A transient (transient) form, which can last from 2 weeks to 1 year, and then disappears without a trace. After some time, the tics may return.
• Chronic, characterized by a duration of more than a year. In this case, hyperkinesis can be of a different nature, over time pass in one part of the body and begin in another.

Causes of pathology

Secondary and primary tic hyperkinesis have different provoking factors. But the development mechanism is always similar.

The underlying cause is a deficiency of the dopaminergic system. The subcortical nuclei (basal ganglia) and frontal lobes, whose activity is regulated by the neurotransmitter dopamine, are involved in controlling voluntary movements and maintaining muscle tone. The lack of this substance causes an increase in the activity of the basal ganglia, which entails an excess of nerve impulses. The latter are carried out to the skeletal muscles. At the points of contact between muscle and nerve fibers, acetylcholine is released excessively and uncontrolled muscle contractions occur.

The appearance of tic hyperkinesis is based on a disruption of the normal functioning of the dopaminergic system

Various provoking factors can lead to primary tics:

• Strong psycho-emotional shocks. This is the most common cause of obsessive tics in children. The source can be either acute psychological trauma, for example, severe fear, or chronic stress: a dysfunctional family environment, insufficient parental attention, or, on the contrary, excessive control and demandingness on the part of older family members.

  An unfavorable family environment can provoke a nervous tic in a child.

• Adaptation period in kindergarten or school. This is the so-called “September 1 tick”. An unusual environment, new rules, a change in lifestyle and daily routine are always a significant shock for a child.

  Nervous shock when entering school can provoke a nervous tic in the baby

• Poor nutrition. A lack of magnesium and calcium in the body can lead to convulsive muscle activity, since these microelements are involved in the functioning of the muscular system. This point also includes a passion for psychostimulants. Energy drinks, strong tea or coffee lead to exhaustion of the nervous system, which can be expressed by emotional lability, irritability and nervous tics. Of course, teenage children suffer more often from such manifestations.
• Constant overwork due to chronic lack of sleep, heavy academic loads, prolonged work at the computer, frequent reading in a poorly lit room leads to disruption of the normal functioning of the extrapyramidal system and, as a consequence, to tic hyperkinesis.

  Heavy loads lead to chronic fatigue and can provoke the appearance of nervous tics

• Hereditary predisposition. If one of the parents suffered from tics, then the pathology will be transmitted to the child with a 50% probability.

  If a close relative of the child suffered from tics, then the baby may have the same problem with a 50% probability

Secondary tic hyperkinesis occurs against the background of existing pathologies of the nervous system. These could be:

• congenital and hereditary syndromes accompanied by disorders of the brain, for example, Tourette's syndrome or Huntington's chorea;
• traumatic brain injuries, congenital and acquired;
• brain neoplasia;
• encephalitis of various origins;
• infectious lesions - cytomegalovirus, streptococcal or herpes infection;
• poisoning with opiates, carbon dioxide;
• taking certain medications - anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, antidepressants, stimulants.

Tic hyperkinesis in childhood is often accompanied by nervous system disorders such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), cerebrasthenic syndrome, various phobias, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Phobias in childhood may be accompanied by tic hyperkinesis

Symptoms

Typically, nervous tics first appear in children under 11 years of age and are expressed by blinking; in a third of cases, vocal tics are observed, both individually and in combination with motor ones. Phonic tics are initially manifested by sniffing or coughing or grunting. Usually, with tic hyperkinesis, the symptoms intensify and reach a maximum at 10–12 years, then the manifestations begin to decline. At the age of 17–18, half of all children with tics are completely freed from the pathology.

Manifestations of motor tics

Motor tics can be manifested by the following movements:

• frequent blinking of one or both eyes;
• closing your eyes;
• wrinkling of the forehead or nose;
• stretching or biting the lips, pulling them out with a tube;
• turning the head or shaking, nodding;
• twitching of a limb or head;
• bending fingers, clenching and unclenching fists.

All these movements can be combined with each other.

Motor tics can manifest as various grimaces

Signs of phonic hyperkinesis

Phonic tics manifest themselves as follows:

• sniffling or sniffling;
• slight coughing, clearing throat;
• hissing, groaning;
• snort;
• sobs, screams;
• grunt;
• squeals.

Complex tics

• active gestures;
• jumping;
• squats;
• tilting;
• obsessive touching of objects.

Phonic complex tics are manifested by repeated repetitions of certain words or syllables, phrases, in some cases even swear words. The child may also constantly hum a certain melody.

If complex motor and sound tic hyperkinesis are combined, then we are talking about a generalized form of pathology.

Diagnostics

A pediatric neurologist makes a diagnosis and provides therapy. It is to this specialist that the child should be taken if the following factors are present:

• obsessive movements have not gone away for more than a month;
• tics are very pronounced;
• have a multiple complex nature;
• hyperkinesis causes serious physical discomfort;
• the child has problems with social adaptation.

The doctor will ask the parents in detail about the onset of the disease, the main manifestations, whether relatives had tics, whether there have been stressful situations, what medications the baby is taking, whether there have been injuries or infections.

During the inspection, an assessment is made of:

• general development of the child’s nervous system and muscular system;
• motor and sensory functions;
• reflexes.

At an appointment with a neurologist, parents are interviewed and the child is thoroughly examined.

Additional examinations include:

• laboratory:
  • clinical blood test - allows you to identify the inflammatory process (high ESR, leukocytosis);
  • blood for biochemistry - helps to diagnose pathologies of internal organs that can cause brain damage and lead to hyperkinesis; pay attention to the level of cholesterol, glucose, bilirubin, various enzymes, uric acid and creatinine;
  • ionogram - determination of the level of magnesium and calcium in the blood serum;
  • examination of stool for helminth eggs;
• hardware:
  • EEG (electroencephalogram) - to determine the functional state of certain parts of the brain;
  • MRI - if there is a suspicion of traumatic injury to the brain or cerebral vessels.

An electroencephalogram makes it possible to assess the functional activity of individual areas of the brain

Consultation with other specialists is often required:

• a child psychiatrist or psychologist if the tic appeared for the first time after severe stress;
• infectious disease specialist - if there is a possibility of infectious brain damage;
• toxicologist - in case of poisoning with drugs or chemicals;
• oncologist - in case of suspected brain tumor;
• genetics - if relatives have tic hyperkinesis.

Treatment

Therapy for nervous tics may include different methods:

• lifestyle correction;
• psychological support;
• medicines;
• physiotherapy;
• folk remedies.

Non-drug methods

Non-drug methods are mainly used for the primary form of pathology or for secondary tics as part of complex treatment.

The goal of such therapy is to restore normal functioning of the central nervous system, metabolic processes, and normalize the child’s psycho-emotional balance. For this purpose, a course of individual psychocorrection is carried out, work with parents is aimed at creating a calm family environment.

Psychotherapy

A course of individual psychotherapy significantly improves the child’s emotional state, leads to normalization of sleep, elimination of anxiety and completely relieves tics or reduces their intensity.

Individual sessions with a psychologist or psychotherapist can completely free a child from tics

Work is also carried out with parents, who must understand that tics are not a bad habit or an indulgence, but a disease. Therefore, a child should not be scolded, punished or forced to control himself. The wrong attitude of parents towards the problem can greatly aggravate it.

Particular attention should be paid to the daily routine: the child should get enough rest and not overwork. Sleep must be of the correct duration, since it is at this time that the nervous system is restored.

Child nutrition

A properly formulated diet and diet is an integral part of the comprehensive treatment of tics. It is advisable to teach a child to eat at certain hours, but in no case should he be left hungry if he wants to eat ahead of time, or forced when it is time for lunch and there is no appetite.

The main rules of nutrition are regularity, balance and completeness, that is, food must contain the entire set of nutrients, vitamins and microelements necessary for the normal growth and development of a child.

It is especially necessary to ensure that the diet contains foods rich in calcium, because the lack of this element contributes to the appearance of tic hyperkinesis. Therefore, the menu must include:

• hard and processed cheese;
• milk, cottage cheese, sour cream;
• cabbage;
• black bread;
• dried fruits;
• dark chocolate.

Dairy products as a source of calcium must be present in children's diets.

We must not forget about magnesium and glycine, which also play a significant role in neuromuscular transmission. Magnesium is found mainly in plant foods, and glycine in protein foods. The diet should contain foods containing these substances:

• leafy vegetables, beets;
• bran bread;
• cereals (especially buckwheat);
• sesame, nuts;
• dried apricots;
• red fish;
• eggs;
• turkey, rabbit, chicken breast, veal.

You should not offer strong tea and coffee to your child.

Drug therapy

If the doctor has come to the conclusion that psychotherapy, physiotherapy and decoctions of medicinal plants alone are not enough, then the child is prescribed drugs, starting with the easiest ones in the minimum dosage. To combat primary and secondary tics, medications of different groups are used, mainly sedatives, antipsychotics, which improve metabolism and blood supply to the brain.

In the treatment of primary tics the following is used:

• tranquilizers (sedatives):
  • Novo-passit, Glycine, Tenoten - relieve anxiety, improve sleep;
• nootropics:
  • Pantocalcin, Noofen, Phenibut - normalize cerebral circulation and metabolism, eliminate anxiety;
• complexes containing B vitamins, minerals:
  • Magne B6, Neuromultivit, Pentovit, calcium gluconate - optimize neuromuscular transmission, strengthen the body.

For complex tics, the drugs of choice are antipsychotics:

• Eglonyl;
• Tiapride;
• Risperidone;
• Pimozide;
• Fluphenazine.

These drugs are highly effective in the treatment of tics of various origins; they have anticonvulsant, analgesic, antihistamine, antiemetic, sedative, and antipsychotic effects. By blocking certain processes in the brain, antipsychotics normalize neuromuscular transmission and improve the emotional state of the child. The drugs have many side effects, so you should never prescribe them to a child yourself, or violate the regimen and duration of use.

Drugs from other groups that can be prescribed for the treatment of tics:

• antidepressants: Prozac, Anafranil, Clominal;
• tranquilizers: Atarax, Diazepam, Relanium, Sibazon, Seduxen.

Photo gallery: medications for the treatment of tics

Haloperidol is an antipsychotic drug of choice for complex nervous tics in children. Tenoten - a sedative for normalizing sleep and emotional background in children Magne B6 - a complex preparation containing magnesium and pyridoxine, reduces the excitability of neurons and inhibits neuromuscular transmission Novopassit is a herbal preparation with a calming and relaxing effect Atarax is an anxiolytic (tranquilizer) with pronounced sedative properties Glycine (aminoacetic acid) is a regulator of metabolic processes in the central nervous system Sonapax is an antipsychotic drug to normalize the nervous system. Calcium gluconate is necessary to replenish the level of calcium ions in the blood Pantocalcin is a nootropic drug used as part of complex therapy for extrapyramidal disorders

Physiotherapy

Properly selected physical therapy can significantly reduce the symptoms of the disease and improve the condition of the little patient.

Electrosleep therapy has a good effect: it calms, normalizes the emotional background, metabolism, improves blood supply and nutrition to the brain. As a rule, 10–12 sessions of 60–90 minutes are prescribed.

Electrosleep has a positive effect on metabolic processes in the brain

The following procedures also apply:

• applications with ozokerite (mountain wax) on the collar area;
• galvanization or iontophoresis with calcium, bromine;
• aerophytotherapy - inhalation of essential oils;
• hirudotherapy - the use of medicinal leeches;
• medicinal baths with motherwort and pine needles.

A special method of magnetic therapy is highly effective - transcranial brain stimulation, aimed at balancing the activity of all brain centers. This is a selective procedure that affects only the hyperactive areas of the brain.

Massage

A relaxing massage affects a child’s body in much the same way as physiotherapeutic procedures: it relieves tension, improves cerebral circulation, and normalizes muscle tone. A massage of the back, head, and legs is recommended. It is not recommended to massage areas prone to tics, so as not to create additional irritation and worsen the disease. The course of therapeutic massage should be at least 10 sessions.

Massage for hyperkinesis is aimed at relaxing muscles, improving tissue nutrition and blood supply to the brain

For infants, massage for the treatment and prevention of tics is prescribed from one and a half months. Procedures performed by a specialist normalize the functioning of the peripheral and central nervous systems. The duration of the session depends on the age of the child: up to 3 months, the procedure should last no more than 5–7 minutes, gradually it is increased to 20 minutes. During the massage, you need to observe the baby’s behavior: if he shows anxiety, the session is ended.

Stone therapy (massage with warm stones) is a method that is rarely used in childhood. It can be done from 7–8 years old. The benefits of the procedures are effective relaxation and general strengthening of the child’s body.

Video: Doctor Komarovsky about massage

Acupuncture

To normalize metabolism, improve brain nutrition, and stabilize the nervous system, a doctor may recommend acupuncture. The method consists of a reflex effect on biologically active points, due to which the balance of the nervous system is restored and emotional stress is relieved. Typically, reflexology is used in combination with herbal remedies that normalize neuromuscular transmission.

Acupuncture is a method of influencing reflex zones in order to normalize the functioning of the nervous system

Osteopathy

Osteopathy is widely used in the treatment of tic hyperkinesis. An osteopathic doctor acts not on the effect of the disease (muscles), but on the cause itself - through special techniques he helps restore cerebral circulation, reduce the activity of certain centers, and restore normal neuromuscular transmission.

Osteopathy is based on the healing effect of the doctor’s hands on problem areas, thanks to which metabolic processes are normalized and functional disorders are eliminated

Traditional methods

Decoctions and infusions of herbs with a sedative effect have a beneficial effect on the child’s nervous system and reduce the manifestations of tic hyperkinesis.

Infusion of motherwort herb:

1. Dry crushed raw materials (2 large spoons) pour boiling water (200 ml).
2. Leave for 2 hours.
3. Strain through cheesecloth and squeeze.
4. Store the product for 24 hours in a dark place at room temperature.
5. Give to the child half an hour before meals three times a day for a month:
   • from 7 years - 1 teaspoon;
   • from 14 years old - 1 dessert spoon.

Valerian root - infusion:

1. Grind the root of the plant, pour a tablespoon of the raw material with hot water (250 ml).
2. Soak for 10 minutes in a water bath.
3. Filter the cooled product through cheesecloth.
4. Store in a cool, dark place.
5. For a month, give the product to your child every day, half an hour after meals and before bedtime, 1 teaspoon (4 times in total).

Calming tea with chamomile and mint:

1. Mix 3 parts of chamomile flowers, 2 parts each of mint and lemon balm leaves.
2. Brew a large spoonful of the mixture with a glass of boiling water.
3. Leave for 40 minutes.
4. Strain and give the child 30–50 ml three times a day, half an hour after meals.

Hawthorn infusion:

1. Pour boiling water (250 ml) over dried fruits (1 tablespoon).
2. Leave for at least 2 hours, strain.
3. Give a child over 7 years old a tablespoon three times a day, half an hour before meals.
4. The duration of treatment should not exceed 3–4 weeks.

Geranium compress to eliminate tic:

1. Grind fresh leaves of homemade geranium and apply to the area affected by hyperkinesis.
2. Place gauze folded in several layers on top and wrap it in a soft cloth (scarf, handkerchief).
3. Leave the compress on for 60 minutes.
4. Wash the area where the compress is applied with warm water.
5. It is recommended to carry out such procedures 1–2 hours before bedtime for a week.

Photo gallery: herbs for treating nervous tics

Chamomile infusion has a stabilizing, anti-inflammatory and calming effect Valerian root relieves nervous tension Fresh geranium leaves can be used as compresses for tics Peppermint effectively calms the nervous system Hawthorn fruits have a pronounced sedative effect
Motherwort herb is a long-known effective sedative.

The author of these lines had to deal with the problem of increased nervousness of a child after moving from kindergarten to school. My daughter's sleep was disturbed and she became restless and tearful. A lifesaver in this situation was a phyto-pillow stuffed with dry mint, chamomile and motherwort, and essential lavender oil. A small herbal pillow was placed at the head of the bed for the whole night, and the oil was applied drop by drop to the pillowcase. A calm family environment combined with herbal medicine did its job: within a week, the child’s sleep became calmer, anxiety went away and his mood normalized.

Prognosis and consequences of pathology

Nervous tics do not pose a threat to the child’s life. If tic hyperkinesis is a consequence of organic brain damage, the primary disease may pose a danger.

The prognosis depends on the form of the disease: for local tics it is favorable in 90% of cases; for widespread tics, complete regression of symptoms is observed in half of the cases.

A predisposition to nervous tics can be inherited. If someone in the family suffered from this disease, then it is quite likely that the child will develop tics in the presence of provoking factors.

Tic hyperkinesis, especially in adolescence, significantly reduces the quality of life. The child may have problems with social adaptation and develop numerous complexes, which, in turn, further aggravates the course of the disease.

A child with nervous tics may have serious problems with social adaptation

The famous pediatrician Komarovsky claims that nervous tics, once they occur, most often go away without any intervention. To prevent the phenomenon from becoming chronic, it is necessary to provide the child with family support. There is always a solution, and in each specific case it must be individual.

Psychologist's advice to parents:

• You cannot focus the child’s attention on the problem of nervous tics;
• always treat the baby as a full-fledged person;
• maintain a calm, cozy atmosphere at home;
• try to quickly solve emerging problems that may cause stress in the child;
• when hyperkinesis appears, you need to distract the child - by playing, drawing, dancing, any hobby - in order to create a zone of activity in his brain that can drown out the pathological impulses leading to tics;
• do not delay visiting a specialist.

Prevention of nervous tics

The main preventive measure is to avoid nervous tension, limit stress as much as possible and learn how to properly respond to it. It is important to provide the child with adequate rest, sleep, nutrition, encourage physical activity, sports, and daily walks in the fresh air.

It is necessary to minimize factors that can cause pathology:

• daily long TV watching;
• computer games and the habit of listening to loud music, especially before bed;
• reading in low light, lying down or in transport;
• stimulating drinks, especially in the evening;
• chronic lack of sleep.

Engaging in an interesting hobby contributes to psycho-emotional relief, so it’s worth helping your child find something he likes.

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Nervous tics in children are a neurological disorder, one of the types of hyperkinesis (violent movements). Today it is observed in almost every fifth child. Boys are affected much more often than girls. The pathology has taken one of the leading places among neurological disorders, becoming increasingly common even in newborns. But it mainly occurs in children aged two years and older. Parents have different attitudes to the problem: some are very worried about it, others, on the contrary, do not pay due attention to it. Therefore, only about 20% of the most responsible adults seek medical help for nervous tics in children. In fact, this disorder may indeed not cause serious harm to the child, and disappear on its own with age. But sometimes it can negatively affect the physical and psychological state, requiring medical attention. When a child has a nervous tic, the symptoms and treatment can be very diverse, so in this case a purely individual approach is needed.

Classification of the disorder

To figure out whether a child’s nervous tic will go away on its own or will require treatment, you need to find out the reasons for its occurrence and determine the type. If we give a general definition, then tics are short-term, rhythmic, coordinated movements. The main distinguishing feature of this disorder is that it can be partially controlled by children. They are usually able to suppress the tic for a short time, but this requires sufficient tension and subsequent release. Symptoms often intensify when a child sits in one position for a long time (for example, in transport or watching TV). During games or some interesting, exciting activities, they, on the contrary, weaken or even disappear. But this is a temporary effect, then the symptoms resume again.

According to the nature of occurrence of tics, there are:

• primary (mainly having a psychological background);
• secondary (appearing after injuries or diseases).

Based on their symptoms, they are divided into:

• Mimic. These include facial tics: eye blinking, eyebrow twitching, lip biting, nose wrinkling, teeth grinding, various grimaces, etc.
• Motor. These are tics of the body and limbs: stamping, shuffling, jumping, clapping hands, various movements of the shoulders and head, etc.
• Vocal. Tics in which the vocal muscles act: coughing, sniffing, snorting, hissing, smacking, various repeated sounds or words, etc.

The most common facial actions, especially eye movements: frequent blinking, eyelid twitching. Hyperkinesis of the arms and legs is less common, but attracts more attention from parents, as do loud noises. Mild vocal symptoms can go unnoticed for a long time.

Also, nervous tics in children vary in degree of complexity. Experts distinguish the following types:

• local: one muscle group is involved;
• generalized: several muscle groups are involved;
• simple: the movement consists of one element;
• complex: a group of coordinated movements is performed.

There is also a division of the disorder according to the duration of its course; it can be transient or chronic.

Transient (or transient) tics can be of any nature and complexity, but last less than a year. Chronic tic disorder occurs daily for more than a year.

For chronic disorders, facial (especially nervous eye tics in a child) and motor disorders are typical, while vocal disorders in the chronic form are observed extremely rarely. The disease, as a rule, occurs with periods of exacerbations and remissions of varying durations.

If we talk about the age at which this disorder most often occurs, then it mainly occurs from 2 to 17 years. The disease has peculiar peaks at 3 years, 6-7 years and 12-14 years. At an early age, the most common are facial (mainly related to the eyes: blinking, eyelid twitching) and motor tics; vocal tics usually appear later. In the vast majority of cases, hyperkinesis occurs before the age of 11-12 years, characterized by an increasing course. Then the symptoms gradually decrease, and by the age of 18, more than half of the patients disappear completely.

Causes of the disorder

From birth, the formation of groups of nerve cells and their connections occurs in the child’s brain. If these connections are not strong enough, the balance of the entire nervous system is disrupted. This can cause nervous tics in the child. The crisis periods mentioned above are associated, among other reasons, with leaps in the development of the cerebral cortex.

Primary tics appear due to certain psychological or physiological reasons. They can become:

• Emotional shock. This is the most common cause of nervous tics in children. Both acute psychological trauma (severe fright, quarrel, death of a loved one) and a general unfavorable situation in the family can provoke the disorder.
• Change of scenery. A child's first visit to kindergarten or school quite often becomes stressful and, as a result, the cause of tics.
• Unbalanced diet. Lack of vitamins, especially calcium and magnesium, can cause seizures and tics.
• Exciting drinks. Tea, coffee, and various energy drinks deplete the child’s nervous system. This is manifested by emotional instability, which can result in tics.

• Wrong daily routine. Insufficient sleep, overwork, sitting for a long time in front of the TV or computer, together with a lack of fresh air, lack of physical (especially gaming) activity, activate certain areas of the brain and contribute to the appearance of pathology.
• The presence of helminths in the body. One of the first signs of helminthiasis is disruption of the nervous system, which can result in nervous tics. This is one of the cases when the disorder threatens even an infant.
• Genetic predisposition. The presence of pathology in one of the parents will significantly increase the chance of its manifestation in the child.

The development of secondary tics occurs against the background of diseases of the nervous system or negative effects on it. Symptoms are similar to the primary disorder. Secondary disorders can be caused by:

• traumatic brain or birth injury;
• congenital diseases of the central nervous system;
• encephalitis;
• various infections: herpes, streptococcus, etc.;
• opiate or carbon monoxide poisoning;
• some medications (antidepressants, central nervous system stimulants, anticonvulsants);
• brain tumors, etc.

Secondary tics can go away on their own only in two cases: with minor poisoning and intoxication. In all others, the initial disease must first be eliminated. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to cure it completely.

Diagnostics

Isolated cases of short-term hyperkinesis should not be ignored, but you should not panic too much about them either. It makes sense to contact a neurologist when:

• nervous tic is very pronounced;
• multiple tics occur;
• the disorder does not go away on its own for more than a month;
• The tic causes inconvenience and interferes with social adaptation.

The doctor assesses the child’s general condition, sensory and motor functions, and reflexes. Asks clarifying questions to the child and parents regarding nutrition and daily routine, emotional trauma, heredity, etc. Based on the results of the examination, the following examinations may be prescribed:

• general blood test;
• helminth analysis;
• ionogram;
• MRI (in the presence of head injuries);
• encephalogram;
• consultation with a child psychologist.

Additionally, consultations with a psychotherapist, toxicologist, infectious disease specialist, oncologist, or geneticist may be required, depending on the identified diseases or suspicion of them.

About 15% of primary disorders disappear on their own after some time. In other cases, especially with secondary pathology, treatment should be started as soon as possible in order to prevent the development of the disease.

How to treat childhood nervous tics? In the treatment of the disorder, non-drug, medicinal and folk remedies are used. As a rule, they are used in combination. Only sometimes an obstacle to drug therapy can be the child’s infancy and other reasons.

Non-drug remedies

These methods are considered basic for primary disorders, and are necessarily included in complex therapy for secondary ones. These include:

• Individual psychotherapy. Since the appearance of primary tics in children is mainly associated with stress, visiting a child psychiatrist or psychologist can be very useful. After completing the course, as a rule, the emotional state becomes more stable, and the correct attitude towards the disease is formed.
• Creating a favorable family environment. Parents should realize that a nervous tic is a disease and help their child cope with it. In no case should he be scolded or forced to control the manifestation of symptoms. Relatives and friends should try not to focus on the illness, maintain calm in the family, communicate more with the child, help solve his problems, and, if possible, protect him from stressful situations.
• Organization of the daily routine. It is necessary to ensure a change in physical and mental activity, proper sleep, walks and games in the fresh air. Limit computer games, watching TV, playing too loud music (especially before bed), and reading in poor lighting. You should also try to minimize activities that require excessive concentration, leading to rapid fatigue and increased nervous tension.
• Balanced diet. The diet should be regular and complete, containing all the necessary elements. It is imperative to include in the menu foods that contain calcium.

Medications and folk remedies

When a child has a nervous tic, treatment with medications is carried out strictly as prescribed by the doctor, both in the treatment of primary and secondary disorders. They start with the lightest drugs in the minimum dose, prescribing them to children aged one year and older. Secondary disorders are treated only after eliminating the primary disease, or together with it. Typically, according to indications, the treatment of nervous tics includes:

• sedatives: Novo-Passit, Tenoten;
• antipsychotropic: Sonapax, Noofen;
• nootropic: Piracetam, Phenibut;
• tranquilizers: Diazepam, Sibazol;
• preparations containing calcium.

Of the antipsychotropic drugs, the most gentle, with the fewest side effects and contraindications, is Noofen. It shows good results in the treatment of nervous disorders in children, including tics, especially of the facial type (frequent blinking of the eyes, twitching of the eyelids, cheeks, etc.).

The use of folk remedies in the form of infusions and decoctions is also relevant, especially for young children. They have a beneficial effect on the nervous system and reduce the symptoms of the disorder. Useful for this disease:

• infusion of valerian root;
• chamomile tea;
• infusion or decoction of motherwort;
• infusion of anise seeds;
• various sedatives, etc.

If your child likes herbal teas, it is better to replace all drinks with them, adding honey to them. This will help quickly relax the nervous system. Also beneficial are:

• relaxing massage;
• electrosleep;
• aromatherapy;
• various water treatments (sauna, swimming pool).

They are able to relieve tension at the moment, and in the future give greater resistance to nervous stress.

Modern living conditions, especially in large cities, are associated with constant stress. The immature children's nervous system is especially sensitive to them, and if a child has a predisposition to nervous tics, the likelihood of their occurrence is quite high. But it is important to know that this disease is completely curable today. Having completed the necessary course and following preventive measures in the future, you can forget about this unpleasant disease forever.

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The extrapyramidal region of the brain is responsible for motor function and muscle tone depends on it. When moving, one muscle group relaxes and another tenses. Increased activity of the system leads to the appearance of tics, a type of hyperkinesis. The movements are uncontrollable, occur spontaneously, and are short-term in nature.

Tremor in newborns is a common phenomenon. It is observed from the first day of life in 50% of infants. The muscles of the chin, eyes, lower and upper extremities are involved in the process. This is the reaction of an immature nervous system to external or internal stimuli. When the child reaches four months of age, involuntary muscle contraction subsides.

Types and causes of tremor

Two categories of the condition are defined: physiological and pathological tics. The first type is short-lived and short in amplitude, occurring during crying or feeding. The muscles of the chin, lips, and less often the limbs are involved in the process. Distinctive features of physiological tremor:

• the duration of the attack, the tone is normalized within 5 seconds;
• appears immediately after provoking factors, the cause is eliminated, trembling stops;
• the debut occurs in the first days of life; over time, episodes become rare and disappear completely.

Signs of tics are clearly pronounced in premature babies, in which case the symptoms are much more common.

As the nervous system develops, the manifestations disappear. Physiological tremor is a normal condition and should not cause concern to parents.

The pathological variety differs in that the tic affects not only the muscles of the face and limbs, but also the head. May be an indicator of a neurological disease. In this case, convulsions can spread to the entire body of the child, accompanied by crying and anxiety.

In newborns

The cause of short-term muscle contraction in infants is an immature nervous system and a poorly formed endocrine system. A physiological tic can cause:

• hypothermia;
• pain;
• bloating;
• hunger;
• sharp sound or light.

In this case, chin tremor in a baby may be the only manifestation of overexcitation of the nervous system.

If the condition is long-term, accompanied by blueness of the skin, trembling of the head, a tic occurs without an obvious irritant, we are talking about pathology.

Nerve twitching can occur due to a number of factors that cause brain damage:

• placental abruption;
• infection of the fetus during the perinatal period;
• hypoxia due to the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck;
• weak or premature labor;
• use of drugs and alcohol by women.

The pathological phenomenon is based on frequent stress during pregnancy.

In children after 1 year

Nervous tics in children of preschool age and older manifest themselves in 25% of cases in boys and 15% in girls. In most cases, the condition is not a disease and goes away on its own. If nervous twitching is clearly expressed, causes discomfort to the child, and entails psycho-emotional discomfort, we are talking about a pathological symptom of a nervous system disorder. After a year of life, hyperkinesis of this type is divided into motor and vocal. The first type includes:

• frequent eye blinking in children;
• change in facial expressions (grimace);
• wrinkles on the forehead and bridge of the nose;
• twitching of a leg or arm, head;
• Grinding of teeth (caused by worms).

• periodic snorting;
• noisy exhalation of air through the nose;
• involuntary hissing;
• intermittent cough.

Depending on the state of the nervous system, tremor is divided into primary and secondary.

Idiopathic manifests itself between the ages of 10 and 13 years, during the period of psychomotor formation. The reasons that caused the disorder include:

• stress overstrain: insufficient attention from parents, difficult living conditions, unhealthy microclimate in the family or children's group;
• mental trauma: quarrel with peers, fear, violence;
• emotional shock associated with a change in the usual way of life: the first day of school, an unfamiliar team, new rules;
• poor diet, lacking calcium and magnesium;
• mental fatigue;
• heredity.

Based on the nature of the distribution of muscle contractions, the primary type is defined as local, multiple, generalized. The duration of manifestation is transient - from 14 days to 12 months, chronic - from a year or more.

Secondary tremor occurs against the background of anomalies:

• genetic disorder in the nervous system;
• hereditary abnormalities - dystonia or chorea;
• infectious diseases and viruses: encephalitis, streptococcus, herpes;
• head trauma, intracranial tumors;
• neuralgia of the facial nerve;
• taking antipsychotic medications, antidepressants.

Signs of pathology

Newborn tremors present differently than muscle spasms in older children. The physiological form is determined by:

• short-term trembling of the chin;
• convulsive twitching of arms and legs;
• slight tic of the lower jaw and lips;
• symmetrical or asymmetrical contraction of the muscles of the upper limbs.

Trembling is not observed if the baby is at rest or asleep.

Symptoms of a nervous tic in a child that you need to pay attention to:

1. The phenomenon extends not only to the face and limbs, but also to the head and torso.
2. The baby's condition is lethargic, depressed, he constantly cries.
3. Trembling is observed for no reason and differs in the duration of the attacks.
4. Paroxysms cause blueness of the skin and perspiration on the forehead.

This condition of the child requires emergency care; in this case, tremor may be a symptom of intracranial damage, intrauterine encephalopathy, insufficient amounts of calcium or magnesium, or hyperglycemia.

Effective treatments

The physiological type of muscle spasms does not require medical intervention; the condition will resolve itself once the newborn reaches 90 days, or a little longer in the case of premature birth. Pathological manifestations of nervous tics in children require treatment. Therapeutic measures include the use of medications, massage, and gymnastics. Unconventional methods that relieve nervous tics use prayers, spells, and homeopathy recipes.

Drugs

To treat the disease the following are prescribed:

1. Sonapax is an antipsychotic drug.
2. "Novopassit" is a sedative.
3. Phenibut improves cerebral circulation.
4. "Cinnarizine" blocks the entry of calcium into the walls of blood vessels.
5. "Relanium", affecting the spinal cord and brain, relaxes the muscles.
6. "Calcium Gluconate" is a drug that improves blood composition.
7. Haloperidol is a medicine that eliminates anxiety.

In school-age children, medications are used in combination with psychocorrection. The method gives good results if nervous tics have an emotional background. A psychiatrist will help you understand and cope with the cause of the excitability of the nervous system.

Massage

The therapeutic relaxation technique is carried out from five weeks of life by a qualified specialist. If this is not possible, the procedure is done at home by the mother, who has previously undergone consultation on the technique. The use of oils and creams, except for children's products, is not recommended. Movements should be smooth, without strong pressure, directed from bottom to top, session duration should be no more than 5 minutes. Algorithm of actions:

1. The fingers of the right hand are stretched, and with a gradual sliding movement they rise to the shoulder joint (the same manipulations with the left).
2. The chest is massaged; for this, two hands are placed at the base of the child’s neck. Smooth movements diverge in different directions, a “Christmas tree” is mentally drawn, thus lowering ourselves to the stomach.
3. The impact on the baby's abdominal area is carried out with the right hand in a circular motion.
4. Just like the upper limbs, we stretch the lower ones.
5. We carefully turn the child onto his stomach, massage his back, first with parallel movements from the buttock to the shoulders, then using the “herringbone” method to complete the procedure.

The duration of the session and the number of manipulations are discussed with the doctor. It is necessary to monitor the condition after the massage. If the child feels comfortable, then everything was done correctly.

Gymnastics

Physical exercises are carried out in a well-ventilated area, on a hard surface. Provide alternate bending of the upper, then lower limbs. By running your hands over the child’s body from top to bottom, you create a “soldier” pose. The head carefully turns to the left, then to the right. The baby is placed on his stomach, the head is held at the same level with the body.

Unconventional treatment

Newborns and older children are recommended to take a bath with herbs that have a calming effect, provided that there is no allergic reaction to the components. Valerian root, motherwort, peppermint, lemon balm, chamomile - in equal parts. Take 100 g of the collection, boil in a liter of water for 10 minutes, infuse for 2 hours, add the decoction to the bath during evening bathing.

Prayer for nervous tics:

“Lord, creator and protector, I trust in you and ask for help. Heal the blameless lamb (name) with your mercy. Purify the blood of (name) with holy rays. Touch your forehead with your blessed hand, drive away illness and pain, restore your physical and mental strength. Lord hear my prayer, glory and gratitude to you. Amen".

The health hazards of tremors

The physiological form goes away on its own over time without complications. If manifestations of a nervous tic are observed after 3 months of a child’s life and do not disappear up to a year, this indicates damage to the brain in one part or another. Without timely treatment, there is a risk of the following complications.