cna tics cause internal damage?

[mrburns32]

Hello,
This is a great service you provide.  I have had Tourette's for as long as I can remember.  For the last couple years I have had a head tic causing me to jerk my head up, then back and straining the neck mussels while doing it.  Lately I have had lightheadedness (not full blown dizziness), headaches (not bad, centered on temples---daily) and some neck pain as well--starts in the back of the neck and travels up to the temple---then is gone.  I also dry heave in the morning and occasoinally during the day, usually when the tics are particularly bad.  There is no feeling of nausea--just the dry heave reaction.  I just don't feel right and am concerned that something is significantly wrong from a brain or blood flow perspective.  I have these symptoms every few months then they will dissipate.  My doctor sent me for an MRI which was completely normal.  So here is my question.  Can these neck & head tics cause damage to the brain or artery system which is resulting in my symptoms.  Or are these symptoms just a result of the tics themselves with no more serious underling cause.  I know I can't be cured over the net---but I would like to sleep a bit better and stop worrying that I have done myself harm.  Have a good day.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

The tic movements in themselves cannot harm the brain. However if your neck and neck muscles have taken a toll of strain, you may be prone to getting headaches and/or dizziness and nausea(related to muscle contraction, poor neck posture). The vestibular system (balance)is closely connected to the neck muscles and strain. The vestibular system can result in nausea and dizzyness. This is one possibility (without seeing you I cannot give a formal/complete answer)

Conceivably if you had a violent enough tic you could tear an artery in the neck and cause a stroke - this would be unlikely and you would have other stroke symptoms like focal weakness, clumsiness, difficulty swallowing, sensory loss etc. If that happened, go to the ER. Again this is unlikely to happen and I would not worry about this.
A physical therapist specializing in the neck are the best people to see to get the neck muscles and the vestibular system back on track. Alternatively you could try to get your tics under better control with medication under the supervision of your neurologist.
Good luck

[ozark]

you could be having neck spasms causing your nerves and or muscles to be irritated..