This article was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.
There are many aspects of Huntington’s Disease that you may be curious about, especially if you have never heard of it before. It is a serious condition that has severe symptoms. Here’s a look at some additional facts regarding it.
What is Huntington’s Disease?
This is a type of disease that affects the neurons in your brain. Over time, this can cause you to be unable to move effectively, including being unable to eat. After some time, the complications of this disease can also result in death.
The condition is inherited, although no cause is known. If you have a parent with this disease, you have a higher chance of developing it.
You can read more about Huntington’s Disease here. This site gives you more details about the condition and what to expect if it affects you.
Symptoms
There are a number of symptoms associated with this condition. These include:
- Speech issues
- Being unable to control movements
- Unable to think clearly
- Mood changes
- Not being able to eat
When these symptoms are present, these can be quite severe. However, when a person’s balance changes overnight or they start to lose control of some of their motor skills, this may be a sign that they should be checked out by a doctor.
Treatment Options
There is no cure for this disease, but there are a couple of ways doctors may go about treating it. One treatment is medicine. After you are diagnosed with the condition, a doctor may place you on a number of different prescriptions, in order to manage your symptoms.
Another aspect of treatment may be to work with a therapist. When you are experiencing mood changes or you feel depressed because you are facing an incurable disease, you may be able to see benefits from working with a professional. They may also place you on medicines that can lessen some of your symptoms.
Other Things to Consider
If you have this condition, there is no way to reverse it or stop it from progressing. However, there may be activities you can consider that may be able to help you manage the condition better.
For instance, you will need to listen to what your doctor and therapist are telling you. Chances are they have specific treatment plans to help you. Do your best to follow these guidelines for the best medical care possible.
Something else that may be important is your day-to-day care. You might not be able to take care of yourself anymore or live alone. This means that you will need a caregiver. If there is someone in your life that can help you with this, you should ask them for their support. When you don’t have an individual that will be able to lend a hand, you may need to think about hiring a live-in nurse or moving to a facility that can handle your care. These are big decisions to make, so think about your quality of life and how important it is to you to be treated properly.
You may also need help with your finances and medical care. In other words, you might have to appoint someone to make financial decisions for you, especially if you are unable to clearly think every day. This should be someone you trust that has your best interests at heart. They will be able to tell the doctor what you need and take care of paying your bills as well.
Conclusion
Huntington’s Disease is a very serious condition that may ultimately lead to death. If you are ever diagnosed with this illness, you should work with a doctor and a therapist, so you have a great deal of support. Along with your family or loved ones, you can determine your best options for long-term care, so you are able to live a comfortable life.
