In 1993 researchers discovered the gene that causes Huntington’s disease. (Huntington’s disease Society of America, 8/27) Huntington’s disease is a disease which progressively degenerates cells in the brain slowly over time. Since the nerve cells in the brain are slowly dying it causes uncontrollable movements, emotion changes and other forms of determination of psychological aspects. (The Diagnosis and Treatment of Huntington’s disease, 2013) The Article “What is Huntington’s Disease” is broken up in the causes of the disease, symptoms, risks and complications, and treatment.
The article states that Huntington’s disease is an abnormal genetic disease. Huntington’s disease is caused by a parent passing on the effected gene to their child. Only one copy of the defective gene from one parent will suffice to pass it on to their child. (Caudie, 05/1) Because of this this, children with one parent with the disease or gene has a %50 chance of getting the disease. If the child does not inherit Huntington’s disease from their parent then the child will not pass it on to future generations. (Caudie, 05/1) Symptoms of Huntington’s begin slowly usually in young to middle aged adults.
Signs and symptoms of the disease in the early stages can include mood swings, depression, and reduced cognition, clumsiness, and the inability to control facial movements. (Caudie, 05/1) Tremors, rigid muscles, and slow movements are also other signs of Huntington’s disease. (Caudie, 05/1) According the article seizures could also happen during this early phase. When the disease progresses into later stages signs and symptoms include sudden jerky movements throughout the body and includes jerky eye movement, progressed problems with balance, difficulty swallowing, and problems with speech.
In worse case scenarios signs of dementia can happen. (Caudie, 05/1) Newly diagnosed patients of Huntington’s disease are hopeful of a cure, but unfortunately Huntington’s does not have an available cure and all known treatments will help cure the disease. (The Diagnosis and Treatment of Huntington’s disease, 2013) Although there is no cure of the disease there are other forms of treatment that could improve quality of life for those suffering from Huntington’s disease. These treatments treat the symptoms and not cure the disease itself.
(The Diagnosis and Treatment of Huntington’s disease, 2013) For example, Tetrabenazine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the involuntary movements that comes with Huntington’s. (Caudie, 05/1) Treatments for changes in behavior are treated with antipsychotics such as fluoxetine and nortriptolene which are commonly used for mood swings and depression. (Caudie, 05/1) In an instance where the disease has progressed to where speech is effected then speech and occupational therapists are recommended.
According to www. tree.com people with Huntington’s disease should consume more calories to maintain their body weights. Since Huntington’s disease often causes difficulty in swallowing, soft or blended foods is recommended. In worse case scenarios physicians will advise patients on the use of feeding tubes. (The Diagnosis and Treatment of Huntington’s disease, 2013) Seeking the advice of a nutritionists is also recommended. The future trends and research on Huntington’s disease suggests that earlier treatments if early enough can pro long the patient’s ability to function comfortably.
Huntington’s disease researchers have studied the disease by looking into stem cell research related to Huntington’s disease. The effects of the brain by Huntington’s disease. The effects that the immune system has with Huntington’s. And also the genetic effects of Huntington’s disease. (The Diagnosis and Treatment of Huntington’s disease, 2013) Currently, study’s has shown that 1 out of 10,000 of US Citizens has Huntington’s disease and estimates shows that over 250,000 people are potentially at risk of receiving the defective gene from a parent.
Huntington’s disease used to be considered as a rare genetic disease but now is considered as one of the more common hereditary genetic disease. (Huntington’s disease Society of America, 8/27). References Caudie, L. (05/19/2013). What is Huntington’s disease?
Retrieved from http://www. essortment. com/huntingtons-disease-176622. html Huntington’s disease Society of America. (8/27/2013). Huntington’s disease Society of America. Retrieved from http://www. hdsa. org/ The Diagnosis and Treatment of Huntington’s disease. (2013 spring). Retrieved from http://www. tree. com/health/huntingtons-disease-diagnosis. aspx.