childhood tic

[lagana]

My son last year developed what our nuerologist calls a tic.  He as involuntary movement of his eyes that gets worse with fatigue.  Since we did not like te idea of putting him on medication, we saw a nutritionist, who suggested we strictly regulate the sugar in his diet. We did this and saw a remarkable improvement in three weeks.  However later the tic returned as throat clearing, and also moveent of his fingers in an unusual way.  We cotinued with the diet and the throat and finger tics went away.  Now his eye tic has returned and we are at a loss of what to do.  Is there any research on foods or food alergies (allergies) that can contribute to the tics.  Is any one in the medical community advocation certain types of diets, or supplements?

Thanks,

Lagana

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

There is no evidence that diet is a major contributor to tic disorders, though it is fair to say that substances which have a stimulant effect can exacerbate or potentiate involuntary movements (as can fatigue). Be sure to keep the neurologist abreast of developments, because you'll want to monitor for the emergence of Tourette's Disorder (multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic, not due to substance - e.g., psychostimulant medication).