The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America reports that a related disease to Alzheimer’s is Huntington’s Disease. This is another type of degenerative brain disorder that over time can diminish your loved one’s ability to walk, think, talk and reason. Eventually, someone with Huntington’s Disease will be dependent upon you completely for care. This disease can have a major impact on your entire family, so it is important to learn as much as you can about what to expect.
Causes
The cause of this disease is believed to be from one defect on a single chromosome. This gene is in every person and it has a triplet repeat sequence. In someone with this disease, the gene has a large number of triplet repeats. Huntington’s will not skip a generation, and every child of a parent that carries this defective gene has a 50/50 chance of getting that gene and developing the disease.
If you do not inherit the gene from an affected mother or father, it cannot be passed on. It is thought that 250,000 American have the disease, or are at risk of developing the disease.
Symptoms
AFA states that there are three major parts to the disease:
- Cognitive
- Motor
- Emotional
Early on, the symptoms of your loved one could be mood swings, depression, clumsiness, forgetfulness, twitching and poor coordination. As the disease starts to get worse, short term memory gets worse and involuntary twitching of the head, trunk and arms/legs can increase.
Walking, speaking and ability to swallow will diminish. Later in the disease, the person will need complete nursing care in the home or in a specialized facility. Death usually occurs from heart failure, various infections or choking.
Treatment
There is no effective treatment or cure for the disease. Research continues on treatments that can at least reduce symptoms and delay the progression of the disease. There are some drugs that can be given to people in the midstages of the disease that can really improve their quality of life.
Good nutrition, exercise and careful arrangements of objects in the home can help to minimize the consequences of Huntington’s Disease.
Supplies for Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s
Fortunately, there are a great many products that can help you to deal with your loved ones’ Huntington’s or Alzheimer’s disease to greatly improve her quality of life.
For example, we recommend the Safe-T-Mate Personal Safety Alarm. This product will alert you when your loved one gets up from a chair or bed. The alarm will sound when the cord comes off of the unit. Also consider the Posey Gait Belt, which can help your loved one when they walk, sit or stand.
With the help of these supplies, you will find that your loved one’s condition will be much more manageable.