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Huntington's disease
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(Huntington's chorea)
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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.
Self-care
Having Huntington's disease presents a number of challenges that require
daily or regular attention. The following steps may improve how you
feel:
Exercise
regularly.
People with Huntington's disease who exercise
regularly tend to fare better than those who don't, and physical
activity can help you feel mentally and physically better. Keep your
home free of sharp, hard objects in case you fall while moving
around. Consider wearing special padding to protect yourself from
falls that may happen while you're on walks. Wearing sturdy,
properly fitting shoes may help with stability.
Maintain proper
nutrition.
People with Huntington's disease may burn as many as
5,000 calories a day, so be sure to get adequate nutrition to
maintain your body weight, and consider extra vitamins and
supplements. Because Huntington's disease can impair coordination,
you may need assistance when eating. Allow plenty of time for meals.
Cutting food into small pieces or eating pureed food may make
swallowing easier and prevent choking. Dairy products may make you
secrete excess mucus, which may increase your risk of choking.
Occupational therapists may make other suggestions on how to improve
your swallowing. Using cups with lids and suction cups and tableware
designed for people with disabilities may prevent spills.
Drink plenty of
fluids.
Huntington's disease can make you vulnerable to
dehydration. Drink large amounts of liquids, especially during hot
weather. Some people find that bendable straws make drinking easier.
Huntington's
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Treatments
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