Patients may be irritable or depressed. They may lack inhibition, and do or say things that one would normally find embarrassing. People with Huntington's may also be less able to control their emotions, possibly leading to outbursts of screaming, swearing, slamming doors, hitting walls, or the like.
Huntington's disease impairs the functioning of the brain, which can result in apathy, trouble organizing, impulsivity, irritability and anger, unawareness, disinhibition, preservation, and other psychiatric symptoms. These emotional and behavioral symptoms can further complicate the caregiver's role.
Some of the suggestions I have for living with HD are: Keep life simple - Rest, Exercise, Nutrition, A daily laugh Carry earplugs with you when you are out (Some people with HD are sensitive to noise) Carry calendars with you to write down everything you must do for the day and any information you get from other people.
Huntington's disease is a rare, inherited disease that causes the progressive breakdown (degeneration) of nerve cells in the brain. Huntington's disease has a wide impact on a person's functional abilities and usually results in movement, thinking (cognitive) and psychiatric disorders.
During the early stages of HD, irritability, depression, anxiety and aggression are common behavior symptoms. In the later stages, individuals tend to be less irritable and aggressive, as apathy and a lack of concern become more pronounced.
People with Huntington's may also be less able to control their emotions, possibly leading to outbursts of screaming, swearing, slamming doors, hitting walls, or the like. Patterns of behavior can change as the disease progresses.
The bottom line. Being physically and mentally active in life is good for everyone, and particularly for those at risk of developing HD, because it might affect symptom onset.
Impaired social functioning is a key feature of Huntington's disease (HD). In addition to motor limitations that prevent social participation (e.g., fall risk, driving cessation), personality changes caused by cognitive and psychiatric decline alter social functioning capacity in people with HD.
Weight loss can make symptoms worse and weaken the patient's immune system, making them more vulnerable to infections and other complications. Huntington's disease itself is not usually fatal, but it can lead to choking, pneumonia, or other infections that can lead to death.
The overall presentation of HD was considered to be initially mild by most families in this study, but progression in motor and/or behavior symptoms eventually occurred in all 30 subjects evaluated more than once.
Mood and behavioral changes
Some patients may experience hallucinations and delusions that can severely affect their day-to-day interactions. Living with Huntington's can induce feelings of anxiety, depression, apathy, and frustration.
The most painful conditions in Huntington's, said Achterberg, are limb pain, headache, abdominal pain and fractures. “I think we should do more work in validation of pain tools, including observational pain instruments,” he said. “And for clinicians, I suggest you be especially aware of abdominal pain.”
When alcohol becomes a coping mechanism for Huntington's disease, that's when it becomes a problem. “With any neurodegenerative or medical disease, drinking a lot can certainly affect your balance and your gait,” says Dr. Oguh.
People with Huntington's disease may sometimes seem uncaring and thoughtless. Their apparent disregard for the emotional needs of a partner can be hurtful, especially when it contrasts with a formerly loving relationship; the natural tendency is for the partner to feel slighted.
These patients often display a range of psychiatric symptoms, for example hallucinations or low mood, which coexist with behavioural change and symptoms such as apathy, irritability and aggression.
Although not directly related to HD, stress is nevertheless related to the progression of the disease because it adds to the neurodegeneration that is already taking place. Chronic stress can alter nerve cells, brain structure, and brain function.
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder that usually starts in mid-adult life. The clinical disease progresses to death over an average of 20 years.
Many people with Huntington's disease report that their sleep patterns are affected and sometimes are awake most of the night, then continually catnap or doze throughout the day. Many find themselves experiencing long periods being awake or asleep.
People with HD may inadequately chew foods, and commonly add more mouthfuls of food before swallowing. Poor coordination may lead to frequent choking on liquids and on solid food. Aspiration of liquids or food may lead to pneumonia or even to death by choking.
You could experience psychological distress. Although Huntington's disease itself isn't fatal, the average lifespan for someone who's diagnosed with Huntington's disease is another 10 to 30 years after the condition begins because of complications, like the inability to swallow, move and eventual confinement.
Stage IV: (9 - 21 years from illness onset)
Requires major assistance in financial affairs, domestic responsibilities, and most activities of daily living. For instance, comprehension of the nature and purpose of procedures may be intact, but major assistance is required to act on them.
MIDDLE STAGE
Chorea may be prominent, and people with HD have increasing difficulty with voluntary motor tasks. There may be problems with swallowing, balance, falls, and weight loss. Problem solving becomes more difficult because individuals cannot sequence, organize, or prioritize information.
Weight loss is often associated with Huntington's disease, but it doesn't appear to be a direct result of diet. Some researchers think that weight loss may be linked to other biochemical changes in the body caused by Huntington's disease.
Aerobic exercise has been shown to improve cardiovascular fitness and motor function in people with Huntington's. Aerobic exercise requires continuous movement of large muscles to increase the heart rate. This can include activities such as stationary cycling, walking at a brisk pace or uphill, and swimming.