Huntington's Disease

Huntington's Disease is a very devastating brain disease where your brain cells actually wastes away.The disease becomes worse over time, and the person who has it experiences movements beyond their control. The emotional pattern also deteriorates, somewhat like Alzheimer's Disease. And memory and cognitive abilities also fail progressively.

This disease has a genetic factor, which means it is inherited. If the disease is part of your genetic makeup, it will probably show up around age 50. If it comes in the earlier years before that, it is usually more severe, and the loss of brain functioning is much more rapid.

Medications can be prescribed in order to deal with the symptoms of this degenerative disease. But there is nothing which will lessen the severity of this disease or prevent it from going further.

Insofar as symptoms are concerned, not two people with the onset of this disease are exactly alike. The onset and progression will vary from person to person. Typically however, there are these symptoms which are most common:

1. Behavorial changes in a person which is anger, agitation,and depressive states.

2. Trouble with comprehending things like those with dementia or Alzheimer's Disease. The person often has trouble doing even the easiest task at hand.

3. Coordination problems

4. Falling easily

5. Trouble with controlling the facial movements which are beyond the person's ability to control.

When the disease continues its downward spiral, the person affected will likely have such things as:

1. Many body movements that are spastic/and or jerky

2. Trouble walking without falling

3. Eye twitching

4. Trouble eating and swallowing food

5. Dementia does enter into the equation like I said.

There may also be seizures in the earlier stages of this disease.

If Huntington's Disease is suspected, the doctor will conduct studies of the brain using a CT scan and an MRI which gives many details of what goes on in the head.

A blood test can also determine if you have that gene in your blood.

Once a definitive diagnosis is made, there is one drug known as Tetrabenazine. This drug increases dopamine into the brain cells which in turn helps the troublesome daily symptoms of Huntington's Disease. There are a number of side effects to this drug such as sleeplessness, and upset stomach.

Anti-depressant drugs may be prescribed to control the various depressive symptoms. Trazodone, Prozac, and Zoloft are three examples of these drugs.

Therapies will need to be included as the speech declines and physical limitations also set in. Speech therapy may help the person to talk better since the ability to speak becomes more difficult as Huntington's progresses. Physical therapy is useful for exercises to help the strength of muscles, and walking aids as needed.

People that are unfortunately afflicted with this disease will no doubt land in a nursing home. There comes a time when the problems and complications involved can no longer be managed by a family caretaker at home.