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.
Other symptoms may include insomnia (having trouble sleeping), loss of energy, fatigue, and seizures. Eventually the person will need to stay in bed or in a wheelchair. Changes in thinking (cognitive changes) may include problems with attention or judgment and having difficulty solving problems or making decisions.
Huntington's disease brain changes lead to alterations in mood, especially depression, anxiety, and uncharacteristic anger and irritability. Another common symptom is obsessive-compulsive behavior, leading a person to repeat the same question or activity over and over.
Huntington's disease is a condition that damages nerve cells in the brain causing them to stop working properly. It's passed on (inherited) from a person's parents. The damage to the brain gets worse over time. It can affect movement, cognition (perception, awareness, thinking, judgement) and mental health.
Huntington's disease (HD) commonly presents with impaired social functioning. Specifically, many patients exhibit social withdrawal, or decreased engagement in social activities.
memory lapses. depression – including low mood, a lack of interest in things, and feelings of hopelessness. stumbling and clumsiness. mood swings, such as irritability or aggressive behaviour.
Unawareness of motor, cognitive, behavioral, and functional aspects of HD has been documented throughout the disease course. This can occur at motor and cognitive onset but is more pronounced as the disease progresses.
Surprisingly, many people with Huntington's disease aren't aware that the involuntary movements are happening, or don't notice them as much as other people do. That's because Huntington's disease can affect people's awareness of their own bodies.
Huntington's disease is a condition that stops parts of the brain working properly over time. It's passed on (inherited) from a person's parents. It gets gradually worse over time and is usually fatal after a period of up to 20 years.
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.”
Common end-of-life signals include significant weight loss, difficulty swallowing or breathing, recurrent aspiration pneumonia, and uncontrolled pain.
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.
Woody Guthrie was an American songwriter, musician, writer, and political activist who died with Huntington disease (HD) in 1967 at age 55. His relatively brief creative life was incredibly productive with countless songs and a tremendous volume of letters to his name.
Early in the disease, cognitive decline may manifest as memory and learning difficulties, judgment impairment, and trouble with driving, answering questions or making decisions. As the disease progresses, concentration and focus on intellectual tasks become increasingly difficult.
HD can affect the ability to self evaluate and it is advised that driving be discussed with family members and your doctor. They may have a different perception of your driving skills.
Overview of HD's Behavioral and Psychiatric Symptoms
People with HD may suffer from depression and other conditions found in the general population, such as mania, obsessive compulsive disorder, or various forms of psychosis.
Young people with JHD are often misdiagnosed with ADHD or autism spectrum disorder before being diagnosed with Huntington's, or it is assumed that their behavior is the result of a stressed home environment caused by having a parent with Huntington's.
(For more information on Complications of HD, click here.) It is important to know that stress can lead to complications and the worsening of symptoms in people with HD.
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.
Huntington's disease (HD) is one of the most devastating diseases of mankind. It incapacitates patients by affecting their ability to move, think, and behave normally. It causes uncontrollable and disabling movements of the face, neck, trunk and limbs, loss of balance, and uncoordinated movements.
About Huntington's Disease
Motor issues often include involuntary movements, difficulty with speech and swallowing, lack of coordination, and fatigue and weakness. Many cognitive functions become limited, such as memory, decision making, critical thinking, multitasking and concentration.