Huntington’s Disease
What is Huntington's Disease?
Huntington's Disease, often referred to as HD, is a hereditary disorder of a person's central nervous system. The condition usually develops in adulthood, affecting both men and women.
HD is caused by a faulty gene on chromosome 4 which leads to damage of nerve cells around the brain, resulting in a gradual change of physical ability, mental awareness and emotional stability.
Children with one parent suffering from HD have a 50 per cent chance of inheriting the faulty gene, and anyone who does inherit the gene will, at some stage, develop the disease.
What are the symptoms?
Most people will start to see symptoms of HD in their 30s and 40s, although it can start much later or earlier, even within the same family. If a family is not aware of the genetic fault and therefore, not aware of Huntington's Disease, a diagnosis can be a lengthy process.
Early symptoms include:
- Stumbling and clumsiness
- Short term memory loss
- Erratic changes in mood
- Aggressive or anti-social behaviour
- Uncontrollable muscular movements
Until a diagnosis is made, the emotional pressure placed on family and friends can be intense. The sufferer is going through a period of confusion and fear, which can often be taken out on those close to them.
Those who are aware of the genetic fault can become obsessed with finding symptoms of the disease and will become overly anxious about dropping something, forgetting a person's name or becoming unusually and unnecessarily ill-tempered.
How does the disease manifest itself?
As HD progresses, sufferers may experience involuntary movements, speech and language difficulties, weight loss, erratic behaviour as well as cognitive changes such as lack of ambition, initiative and organisational skills. Some people will accuse sufferers of being lazy which can trigger psychological problems. Also the sufferer's symptoms can lead people to consider they are drunk.
Sufferers may feel that they are defined by their illness rather than for their individual accomplishments, such as career progression, raising children or excelling in sports or hobbies. The psychological effects of HD can be just as damaging as the physical changes.
How Priory can help
As the disease progresses, many sufferers struggle to cope in their own environment and can no longer be cared for safely at home. At this time the Priory team can best meet the needs of the individual. In some cases the individual may remain with the Priory until the end of their life and the Priory aim to maximise the quality of life for the time they have left. Rest assured that Priory staff are skilled at managing palliative care, supporting both the patient and family during this difficult time.
For more information or to request an initial assessment, please call 0845 2 PRIORY (0845 2 774679) or email info@priorygroup.com. For further information on the Priory hospitals that offer care for Huntington's Disease please click on any of the links listed below:
The Priory Grange Bristol
The Priory Grange Heathfield
The Priory Grange Hemel Hempstead
The Priory Grange Potters Bar
The Priory Grange St Neots
The Priory Grange Ticehurst House
For more support
If you feel you or a friend or relative may need support and would like help or more information, you can ask your GP or contact any of the following organisations:
Huntington's Disease Association
www.hda.org.uk
0151 298 3298
The Samaritans
www.samaritans.co.uk
08457 909090
Priory
www.priorygroup.com
0845 2 774679
We receive referrals from professionals within the Physical Disability and Mental Health Trusts - Trust Managers, Care Co-ordinators and Social Workers.