31 Medical Conditions That Can Cause Tics
Muscle tics are often mild and short-lived, but if they persist, they should not be ignored. “Something” is causing the central nervous system reaction and it is important to explore the cause and consult a professional when you don’t have the answers you need.
Some tics do not fall into one of three categories defined in the DSM-5 for tic disorders below.
- Tourette’s disorder (also called Tourette Syndrome)
- Persistent (also called chronic) motor or vocal tic disorder
- Provisional tic disorder
Involuntary muscular movement can be symptomatic of a number of other medical conditions. These include:
- allergy
- chemical sensitivity
- Huntington’s disease
- Sydenham’s chorea
- tremors
- tardive dyskinesia
- cerebral palsy
- Lesch-Nyhan syndrome
- restless leg syndrome
- dystonias
- Wilson’s disease
- Rett syndrome
- Lyme disease
- postviral encephalitis
- hemiballismus
- ataxias
- spasmodic torticollis
- benign muscle fibrillation
- motor neuron diseases
- neuroacanthocytosis
- endocrine disorders
- seizures
- thyroid disease
- tumors
- kidney failure
- multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- reactions to medications
- and other disorders
Consultation with a neurologist or other qualified physician is recommended for a definitive diagnosis of muscle tics.
