Huntington's Disease is a neuro-genetic disorder. Most Huntington's patients don't recognize it's onset until after they are 40 years old. If a child or young adult (under 20 years of age) is found to have Huntington's Disease they are classified as Juvenile HD. Huntington's Disease currently has no cure although symptoms can be managed through medication. If you are looking to identify Huntington's Disease you can use the steps below:
Instructions
1. Check for physical symptoms. These are the most easily recognizable of the three main categories. Patients will exhibit strange and uncontrollable movements (chorea), or stiff and slow movements. Since the disease progressively gets worse and affects muscle control you can expect to find physical instability on foot, slurred speech, difficulty chewing and swallowing, weight loss, and uncontrolled facial movements.
2. Check for Cognitive Symptoms. Cognitive function has to do with brain function. Consequently patients with Huntington's Disease begin to have problems thinking and planning as their thought process begins to slow down. They also have trouble learning new things or initiating actions. Their perception may even begin to be affected.
3. Check for Psychopathological symptoms. Not all patients show these symptoms and if they are the only symptoms shown, Huntington's Disease may not be immediately thought of. Patients can experience anxiety, depression, aggression, lack of emotions, lack of ability to recognize emotions in others, and in rare cases suicidal thoughts. It is important that patients seek treatment when experiencing any of these symptoms.
4. Get a blood test. This is the only way to confirm that you have Huntington's Disease. The chromosome affected is chromosome 4. A simple blood test and analysis of this chromosome can give you a definite answer. Be sure to talk specifically with a geneticist who can explain all those complicated terms to you.
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