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Fans are concerned for Atlanta rapper Lil Baby’s health after viral video shows him jerking uncontrollably during a radio interview. The “Perfect Timing” rapper exhibited involuntary jerking movements of his head and upper torso during a recent interview with Atlanta’s Hot 107.9.

A loyal reader sent in the video, saying she believed the 24-year-old rapper was on illegal drugs. But it appears that the rapper may be displaying signs of Tourette’s syndrome.

Tourette’s syndrome is a neuro disorder, characterized by involuntary motor tics and/or vocal tics. The tics are typically preceded by an unwanted urge or sensation in the affected muscles.

According to the Tourette Association of America, individuals with Tourette’s have had at least two motor tics and at least one vocal/ phonic tic in some combination over the course of more than a year.

The large motor tics can include facial grimacing, jaw movements, head bobbing/jerking, shoulder shrugging, neck stretching, and arm jerking – all of which are displayed in this video taken by Hot 107.9.

The exact cause of tics is unknown. Medications such as risperidone (Risperdal), haloperidol (Haldol), pimozide (Orap) and fluphenazine (Prolixin) can be used to alleviate the symptoms. The antihypertensive agents clonidine (Catapres) can also be used to treat tics.

Antidepressants including fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and fluvoxamine (Luvox) may be prescribed for patients who also have symptoms of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD).

A blogger’s email to quality Control Records for comment was not returned.

This has been your Medical Minute.
 

More Info On the Web

What is Tourette syndrome – Tourette Association of America

Tourette syndrome – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

Tourette’s Syndrome – WebMD
 

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