Huntington's Disease

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Huntington's Disease

• By Walter Gerring and Seth Little

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Background Information

• What is it?
• The genetic degeneration of brain cells, called
  neurons, in certain areas of the brain
• Causes uncontrollable movements, loss of
  intellectual faculties, and emotional disturbance
• Inherited disease, each child of an HD parent has
  a 50-50 chance of inheriting the HD gene

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Symptoms of HD

• Early symptoms are mood swings, depression,
  irritability or trouble driving, learning new
  things, remembering a fact, or making a decision
• As the disease progresses, concentration on
  intellectual tasks becomes more difficult and the
  patient may have difficulty feeding himself or
  swallowing
• http//youtube.com/watch?vlkfSx3Qd9eg

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Causes

• Caused by a single abnormal gene
• Autosomal dominant disorder because only one copy
  of the defective gene, inherited from either
  parent, is necessary to produce the disease
• 50 chance of obtaining if one parent has the
  gene

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When to seek Medical advice?

• See your doctor if there are changes in your
  movements, emotional control or mental ability
  (may not be HD)
• Family history of Huntington's disease, you may
  want to talk with your doctor

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Diagnosis

• Doctor performs a physical exam
• Obtains family history and prior medical history
• A computerized tomography or an MRI scan may show
  any changes to your brain's structure
• Your doctor may suggest a blood test

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Complications

• Over time every day functions worsen like eating,
  swallowing, speaking and walking
• Many people develop depression and are at risk
  for suicide
• Death is usually the result of the disease due to
  the complications from an infection or fall

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Treatment

• Medications to help symptoms
• Therapy- speech, physical and occupational
• Experimental treatments and research

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Self Care

• Exercise regularly
• Maintain proper nutrition
• Drink plenty of fluids

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References

• http//www.mayoclinic.com/health/huntingtons-disea
  se/DS00401
• http//www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/huntingto
  ns_disease/