Huntington’s Disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system caused by inheriting a genetic defect from a parent. Symptoms typically appear in a person’s 30s or 40s, but not everyone experiences the same symptoms. The disease leads to a gradual decline in thinking, feeling, and movement abilities due to brain degeneration. It’s a complex and debilitating condition with no cure.
Common symptoms include jerky movements of the arms and legs, known as chorea, which start as slight twitching and worsen over time. People may also have trouble swallowing, speaking, and concentrating.
The disease is caused by a genetic mutation passed from parents to children, but it usually doesn’t manifest until middle age, except in rare cases of Juvenile Huntington’s Disease. A person with Huntington’s can live 15 to 25 years after symptoms begin. Diagnosis involves family history, genetic testing, and evaluation of neurological, physical, and emotional symptoms. There is no cure.
Children of a parent with the Huntington’s gene have a 50% chance of inheriting it. Those at risk can undergo genetic testing, which is a personal decision requiring the individual to be at least 18 years old. Counseling can help patients and their families cope with the results.
Symptoms are categorized as mental, physical, and emotional. About one-third of patients experience depression, which should be addressed by a doctor.
Behavioral challenges arise from brain damage and the emotional toll of the disease. Changes in behavior vary widely and are often beyond the person’s control. People with Huntington’s may struggle to express themselves, leading to perceived behavioral issues.
The disease affects brain areas responsible for planning and initiating actions, making individuals appear inactive. They may struggle with task sequences, like washing dishes, and have difficulty focusing on multiple activities, such as cooking while watching TV.
Social understanding may decline, leading to inappropriate comments. People with Huntington’s can become easily frustrated or angry due to difficulty seeing others’ perspectives. As the disease progresses, speech problems worsen due to damage to brain areas controlling the throat, face, and tongue muscles.
