(HealthDayNews) -- If you hear someone shouting in the grocery store, it may not be because they're hard of hearing; they may have a neurological disorder called Tourette Syndrome (TS).
An inherited condition, it is characterized by repeated involuntary movements and uncontrollable vocal sounds called tics, the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says. In some cases, such tics can include inappropriate words and phrases.
Symptoms usually appear before a person is 18. It is not uncommon for a person with TS to continuously clear their throat, cough, sniff, grunt, yelp, bark or shout. Tics worsen in stressful situations and improve when the person relaxes or is absorbed in an activity.
Most people with TS require no medication, but medication is available to help when symptoms interfere with everyday life. There is no cure for TS, but the condition improves for many people as they mature.
