Huntington's Disease - Signs And Symptoms You Must Not Ignore!

Huntington’s disease is a neurological condition that can be inherited. When it is inherited the Huntington’s disease causes a slow degeneration of the nerve cells located in the brain. The effect of the Huntington’s disease is widespread and hampers a person’s cognitive skills and psychiatry. Generally, the age group most vulnerable to developing this disorder is between 30 years and 40 years. However, the symptoms of this disease can show up even earlier and also later in a person’s life.

When a person who has not reached the threshold of the twenties develops this condition it is referred to as juvenile Huntington’s disease. If the disease emerges earlier than the age group mentioned above then it will trigger off a completely different set of signs and symptoms. The rate of disease progression will also be considerably greater.

Huntington’ disease occurs when there is an inherent flaw in the gene. This condition is an autosomal disorder. This means that only a copy of the gene that is defective is enough to aid in the development of this disorder. This transfer of the defective gene can occur from any one of the parents.

Medications can temporarily keep the symptoms in check but treatments won’t be able to prevent the degeneration that comes with this condition. Symptoms of this disease include movement disorders, cognitive disorders, and psychiatric disorders.

Symptoms of a juvenile Huntington’s disease will be different.
The treatment for Huntington’s disease involves taking medications such as antidepressants, mood-stabilizers, antipsychotic drugs. Other forms of treatment include:

1. Psychotherapy- A psychotherapist in the form of a psychologist, psychiatrist or a social worker can offer certain therapeutic discussions that will help the patient to tackle with this behavioural issues, offer coping strategies and also what to expect as the disease progresses. Last and finally, the discussion will also help to enable proper communication between near and dear ones.
2. Speech Therapy- Huntington’s disease has the capability of impairing the facial muscles and throat muscle that is required for functions such as eating, swallowing and speech. A speech therapist in this regard will better the speaking ability and will also offer you other ways to communicate by using devices such as board with various pictures.
3. Physical Therapy- A physical therapist will offer exercise tips that will help enhance strength, balance, flexibility and also coordination.
4. Occupational Therapy- Certain occupational therapy strategies include using handrails when at home, using assistive devices and also using utensils that will require limited motor skills.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!