Huntington’s Disease is not going away. The death by proxy countdown has begun.
Here are a few facts concerning what I can expect to pop up at any given time for the remainder of my life.
I have a CAG 40 Repeat. Confirmed with the genetics lab at UAMS.
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Symptoms and Progression
- Progressive: Symptoms worsen over time, typically over a 10-30 year period.
Movement Disorders:
Uncontrolled movements, including chorea (jerky, involuntary movements), rigidity, and tremors.
Cognitive Impairment: Dementia, memory loss, and difficulty with clear thinking.
Psychiatric Issues: Anxiety, depression, irritability, and other behavioral problems.
Juvenile HD: When symptoms appear before age 20, it is known as juvenile HD and often involves slowness of movement, rigidity, and tremors.
Diagnosis and Treatment
A DNA blood test can confirm the presence of the mutated gene by counting the number of CAG repeats.
No Cure: . There is currently no cure to reverse the course of Huntington’s disease.
Symptom Management: . Medications can be used to help control movement problems, emotional issues, and other symptoms.
Research: . Scientists are actively studying HD to identify biomarkers, use stem cells to understand neuron death, and improve brain imaging to better diagnose and monitor the condition.
Outlook and Care
Complications: People with advanced HD eventually succumb to complications such as pneumonia or heart failure.
Full-Time Care: Individuals in the advanced stages of HD require full-time assistance with daily tasks like bathing and dressing.