Expert: Dr. Kristina Conner - 7/19/2007

Question
Hi, my 7 year old granddaughter has been experiencing tics since she was 4 years old. They began at a time of stress in her young life. She usually will make huffing sounds, but she will go through periods of time when she furrows her eyebrows, wrinkles her nose and then purses her lips. She is now shaking her hands. We give her calcium and magnesium, omega 3, multivitamins and high potency b complex. We try to by organic foods for her but her diet is not strict. She will sometimes go for several weeks and be fine. She has been to an allergist and they have found nothing. She seems to have frequent diarrhea. Is there anything that might help her? Thanks

Answer
Lynn,
It is wonderful that you are being proactive about your granddaughter's health, and your family has already made some positive changes.  Two things come to mind from what you describe:  digestion and homeopathy.  Frequent diarrhea may indicate a food sensitivity.  Even though the allergist may have ruled out a food allergy, she could still have a sensitivity that causes recurrent stress on her digestive system.  If she is not absorbing nutrients, a mineral deficiency is possible, and would account for the tics.  To find this out, an elimination diet, followed by reintroduction would uncover which foods she reacts to.  You can do this on your own, or you can seek out a holistic nutritionist or naturopathic doctor (www.naturopathic.org) for guidance.  
It also sounds like there is a link with stress, which is very common with tics.  Homeopathy is a great treatment for conditions like this, because it addresses the mind and body together.  Many naturopathic doctors do homeopathy, as well as other medical practitioners.  It would be worthwhile for your granddaughter to receive a homeopathic remedy specific for her.  
Good luck to your family as you search.  Thanks for writing.  
Dr Conner