Facts about Huntington's Disease
Huntington's disease is a hereditary disorder of the brain, caused by the degeneration of certain nerve cells. Read on to understand the facts about Huntington's disease.
Among different brain disorders, Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited disorder that can affect cognitive and physical abilities of a person. It was Dr. George Huntington, an American physician, who first described the symptoms of this disease in 1872. This disorder is also known as Huntington's chorea. 'Chorea' is a Greek word, which means 'dance', referring to the quick, involuntary movements that are the major characteristics of HD. This genetic disorder mainly affects people between 40 and 50 years of age. Due to damaged nerve cells in the brain, the person experiences emotional disturbances and uncontrolled physical movements. The facts about HD reveal that more than 15,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with HD. Let's take a look at the details of causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of HD.
Causes and Risk Factors
HD is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the gene that is responsible for producing a protein namely huntingtin. Due to a defective gene, there is degeneration of neurons (nerve cells in the brain). The person carrying a defective gene is at a higher risk of developing HD at some point in the lifetime. HD affects both males and females from all ethnic and racial groups. In very rare cases, children are affected by HD. A person with a family history of HD has 50% chances of developing this disease.
Signs and Symptoms
The onset of symptoms of HD is generally in the middle age, between 40-50 years. Since HD damages the nervous system, it mainly affects the cognitive abilities. This disease involves the part of the brain that holds the control of various abilities such as emotions, thinking and movements. The severity of signs and symptoms of HD can vary from person to person. In the early stage of the disease, personality changes and diminished cognitive abilities are seen. A person experiences depression, mood swings, nervousness and irritability. He/she may become passive, apathetic and excessively angry. HD also affects memory, judgment, thinking ability, ability of decision making, learning new things and ability to remember important things.
A person eventually suffers from various physical inabilities. This includes clumsiness and involuntary facial movements, balance problems as well as involuntary facial movements like grimacing. In the advanced stage of HD, the symptoms such as difficulty in shifting the gaze without movement of head, involuntary, jerky movements, problems with coordination and balance, halting or hesitant speech, difficulty in swallowing, walking or speaking and dementia.
In case of juvenile HD, there are symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease, such as tremors, muscle rigidity and slow movements. It becomes difficult for a person to perform daily tasks such as getting dressed. The development of disease is usually slow and the severity of symptoms is associated with the degree of nerve cell degeneration.
Diagnosis
HD is diagnosed on the basis of findings of physical examination, medical history and certain investigations. Imaging tests such as CT scan or MRI scan are advised to study the changes in the structure of the brain. A blood test is prescribed to detect the defective gene.
Treatment
HD eventually causes mental and physical disabilities. There is no actual cure for HD; the treatment is given to control signs and symptoms. Medications such as clonazepam or antipsychotic drugs such as haloperidol are effective in controlling movements and hallucinations. Medications such as fluoxetine or nortriptyline can reduce depression and control mood swings. Various therapies like speech therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy can help improve physical disabilities.
People with Huntington's disease have to face a number of challenges. However, they can control the symptoms by following a healthy lifestyle. A nutritious, healthy diet in proper balance with regular exercises can help reduce severity of the disease and improve physical and mental abilities.
Causes and Risk Factors
HD is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the gene that is responsible for producing a protein namely huntingtin. Due to a defective gene, there is degeneration of neurons (nerve cells in the brain). The person carrying a defective gene is at a higher risk of developing HD at some point in the lifetime. HD affects both males and females from all ethnic and racial groups. In very rare cases, children are affected by HD. A person with a family history of HD has 50% chances of developing this disease.
Signs and Symptoms
The onset of symptoms of HD is generally in the middle age, between 40-50 years. Since HD damages the nervous system, it mainly affects the cognitive abilities. This disease involves the part of the brain that holds the control of various abilities such as emotions, thinking and movements. The severity of signs and symptoms of HD can vary from person to person. In the early stage of the disease, personality changes and diminished cognitive abilities are seen. A person experiences depression, mood swings, nervousness and irritability. He/she may become passive, apathetic and excessively angry. HD also affects memory, judgment, thinking ability, ability of decision making, learning new things and ability to remember important things.
A person eventually suffers from various physical inabilities. This includes clumsiness and involuntary facial movements, balance problems as well as involuntary facial movements like grimacing. In the advanced stage of HD, the symptoms such as difficulty in shifting the gaze without movement of head, involuntary, jerky movements, problems with coordination and balance, halting or hesitant speech, difficulty in swallowing, walking or speaking and dementia.
In case of juvenile HD, there are symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease, such as tremors, muscle rigidity and slow movements. It becomes difficult for a person to perform daily tasks such as getting dressed. The development of disease is usually slow and the severity of symptoms is associated with the degree of nerve cell degeneration.
Diagnosis
HD is diagnosed on the basis of findings of physical examination, medical history and certain investigations. Imaging tests such as CT scan or MRI scan are advised to study the changes in the structure of the brain. A blood test is prescribed to detect the defective gene.
Treatment
HD eventually causes mental and physical disabilities. There is no actual cure for HD; the treatment is given to control signs and symptoms. Medications such as clonazepam or antipsychotic drugs such as haloperidol are effective in controlling movements and hallucinations. Medications such as fluoxetine or nortriptyline can reduce depression and control mood swings. Various therapies like speech therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy can help improve physical disabilities.
People with Huntington's disease have to face a number of challenges. However, they can control the symptoms by following a healthy lifestyle. A nutritious, healthy diet in proper balance with regular exercises can help reduce severity of the disease and improve physical and mental abilities.
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