Ask the Expert

Growth and Nutrition Experts’s Bio Image

Get answers to your child's growth, nutrition, and feeding behavior questions.

Growth and Nutrition Experts’s Bio | Q&A Archive

Note: This is for informational purposes only. Doctors cannot provide a diagnosis or individual treatment advice via e-mail. Please consult your physician about your specific health care concerns.

Please install flash player to see this video.

Facial tics - Treatment

Alternative Names

Tic - facial; Mimic spasm

Treatment:

Transient childhood tics are not treated. Calling the child's attention to a tic may make it worse or cause it to continue. A non-stressful environment can reduce the frequency of tics, and help them go away more quickly.

If tics are disabling, medications such as risperdal (Risperidone) may help control them.

Expectations (prognosis):

Simple childhood tics should go away on their own over a period of months. Chronic tics may continue for a longer period of time.

Complications:

In most cases, there are no complications.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if tics:

Affect many muscle groups
Are persistent
Are severe

Reviewed last on: 2/13/2008
Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Departments of Anatomy & Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)