Coping with Huntington’s Disease

Did you know that around the world there are thousands of people that suffer from Huntington’s disease, which is a genetic disorder of the central nervous system? What happens is gradually there are subtle changes in personality and behavior that become more pronounced as the disease advances. It can be anything from a mood swings to depression and even violent tantrums. People who suffer from this disease also have trouble controlling normal bodily functions. As each day passes it becomes harder and harder for them to handle a simple task such as getting up and going to work, or cleaning the house. Gradually it will get to the point where the person will no longer be able to care for themselves. It has a heartbreaking affect on the family members who have to watch a loved one slowly succumb to this disease.

I have thoroughly researched this topic and there is currently no cure for this horrible disease, but there is care that is offered to help a person cope and deal with their symptoms. There are medications that can help to control spasmodic movements and help to reduce depression. Some even seek the assistance of a dietitian since many HD sufferers require a high calorie diet to maintain their body weight. How fast the disease progress varies from person to person. And even if you are experiencing some of the symptoms mentioned above I would still recommend that you see a doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. The life expectancy of a person with HD is currently about 15 to 20 years once the symptoms have begun.
Unfortunately children whose parents have Hd are at a 50% risk of inheriting the disease.

The symptoms however don’t usually appear until about the age of 40 or 50 years of age. And in most cases they have already had children by the time they are diagnosed with this disease. It is very important that once someone has been diagnosed with this disease they have plenty of loving support from their family and friends. As I’m sure any doctor will tell you it can be very difficult to tell someone that they have this disease, and without this type of support it will make it harder for them to cope with the symptoms. It will not be easy to watch someone you love slowly die. In my own personal experience in dealing with friends is that a lot of family members just can not handle it, and decide to put their loved one in a facility that is equipped to deal with this disease. Of course there is nothing wrong in my opinion with doing this. But you must remember that they still need you love and support. Just try to imagine yourself in their shoes. You would want that kind of support especially as the symptoms get worse. If the person who is diagnosed with this disease has children, they should be told as soon as possible. Everything should be thoroughly explained to them including the fact that it is a possibility for them to have inherited the disease. It won’t be an easy thing to do, but if you pull together as a family you will be able to get through it.