| |  | | | | About Huntington's Disease | | | | | | | | | What is Huntington's Disease?
 Huntington's Disease is a hereditary disorder of the central nervous system, caused by a faulty gene. This leads to damage to nerve cells in certain areas of the brain, which in turn leads to gradual physical, mental and emotional changes.
Each person who has a parent suffering from the disease has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the faulty gene, and all those who do so will, at some time in the future, develop the disease.
Early symptoms, which usually develop when people are between 30 and 50, include uncontrollable muscular movements, declining eyesight, general clumsiness, lack of concentration and short-term memory, depression and mood changes.
Progress of the disease is usually slow, with a gradual deterioration over, typically, 15 or 20 years. During this time, swallowing may become increasingly difficult, falls more frequent and speech more slurred; weight loss can also be a problem.
In the later stages full nursing care will be needed. Secondary causes, such as pneumonia, are often the cause of death.
Treatment
At present there is no treatment which can halt the progress of Huntington's Disease, but some of the symptoms can be treated, using drugs to combat excessive involuntary movement, to reduce depression and to combat obsessive behaviour.
In the early stages, the sufferer's local authority Social Services Department has a duty to assess the help which is needed to enable the patient to continue to live in the community. This could include practical help with caring at home, attendance at a Day Centre, or arrangements for respite care.
Art work is courtesy of St Andrew's Healthcare patients.
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