Huntington's disease
-
(Huntington's chorea)
|
Diseases & Conditions
A-Z |
|
|
|
BRAIN & NERVOUS SYSTEM |
|
Movement Disorders
|
|
CHILDREN'S HEALTH |
|
Birth Defects
|
|
|
Huntington's disease (Huntington's chorea) is a
progressive, degenerative disease that causes
certain nerve cells in your brain to waste away. As
a result, you may experience uncontrolled movements,
emotional disturbances and mental deterioration. The
disorder was documented in 1872 by American
physician George Huntington. The name chorea
comes from the Greek word for "dance" and refers to
the characteristic and incessant quick, jerky,
involuntary movements.
Huntington's disease is an inherited condition
resulting from a single abnormal gene. Signs and
symptoms usually develop in middle age, and men and
women are equally likely to develop the disease.
Younger people with the disease often have a more
severe condition and symptoms may progress more
quickly. Rarely, cases may occur in children.
Treatment
Most people who have Huntington's disease eventually become physically
and mentally disabled. As the disease progresses, long-term nursing home
care may be necessary.
No satisfactory treatment is available to stop or reverse Huntington's
disease, but some approaches can control signs and symptoms.
Medications
Tranquilizers such as clonazepam (Klonopin) and antipsychotic drugs such
as haloperidol (Haldol) and clozapine (Clozaril) can help control
movements, violent outbursts and hallucinations.
Various medications including fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft)
and nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor) can help control depression and the
obsessive-compulsive rituals that some people with Huntington's disease
develop. Medications such as lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid, others) can
help control extreme emotions and mood swings.
Side effects from many of the drugs used to treat the symptoms of
Huntington's disease may include hyperexcitability, fatigue and
restlessness.
Speech therapy
Huntington's disease can impair your speech, affecting your ability to
express complex thoughts. You may find that speech therapy helps. Remind
friends, family members and caregivers that if you don't speak, it
doesn't necessarily mean that you don't understand what's going on. Ask
people to continue talking to you and keep your environment as normal as
possible.
Huntington's
disease >
1 >
2 >
3 >
4
Related Site:
Treatments
Treatments Programs:
