There is no treatment to stop or reverse Huntington's disease, however there are some medications that can help keep symptoms under control. Treatment for HD includes the drug tetrabenazine, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, and tranquilizers. Patients who exercise tend to do better than those who do not.
How is Huntington's disease treated?
Dec 24, 2013 · Huntington’s disease (HD) is a hereditary, progressive neurodegenerative disease clinically characterized by abnormal involuntary movements, behavioral disturbance, cognitive dysfunction, and psychiatric disease. The disease is caused by a CAG (glutamine) trinucleotide expansion in exon 1 of the huntingtin ( htt) gene at the location 4p16.9 ...
What medications are used to treat Huntington's disease?
Treatments. Clinical trials are ongoing to find disease modifying agents to slow or reverse Huntington’s Disease. Symptomatic treatment for chorea involves medications that deplete dopamine (such as tetrabenazine) or block dopamine (such as antipsychotics). Symptomatic treatment for psychiatric, behavioral, and cognitive symptoms are variable and include SSRIs, …
Can Huntington’s disease be reversed?
Feb 01, 2022 · As medicine improves, there have been promising treatments for Huntington's disease. Recently, one such pill, known as Ionis-HTTRx, has been in trial. This pill targets the mutated huntingtin proteins, which can reduce the damage to your nerve cells. Scientists also hope to use this pill to one day fight other diseases such as Alzheimer's.
What is the best walking aid for someone with Huntington’s disease?
How to treat Huntington's disease?
Physical therapy is another way to treat failing muscles. Working out your body can reduce the effects of Huntington's disease, and a good physical therapist can help. They may be able to teach you how to use your muscles and maintain your balance in the wake of Huntington's disease.
Can a speech therapist help you?
This makes it difficult to communicate. A speech therapist can help you relearn how to speak and get your point across.
Can Huntington's disease cause involuntary movements?
Trouble walking can lead to falls, which can injure or kill the person with Huntington's disease. Involuntary movements, or chorea, can cost someone their job or ability to live a full life. Sometimes, Huntington's disease can affect your speech muscles, making it difficult to talk.
Can Huntington's disease be passed to children?
If you want to treat Huntington's disease, one of the best ways is not to spread it to your children. Because Huntington's disease usually emerges in middle-age, many adults have already had children and didn't realize they may be passing on Huntington's disease genes to their child.
Can Huntington's disease be reversed?
There is yet to be a way to reverse the effects of Huntington's disease or halt the progression of it. However, there are treatments for the symptoms of Huntington's disease. The hope is that these treatments can help the patients live a better life, and slow down the progression so that the person can live a more independent life for longer.
Diagnosis
- A preliminary diagnosis of Huntington's disease is based primarily on your answers to questions, a general physical exam, a review of your family medical history, and neurological and psychiatric examinations.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Managing Huntington's disease is demanding on the person with the disorder, family members and other in-home caregivers. As the disease progresses, the person will become more dependent on caregivers. A number of issues will need to be addressed, and strategies to cope with them will evolve.
Coping and Support
- A number of strategies may help people with Huntington's disease and their families cope with the challenges of the disease.
Preparing For Your Appointment
- If you have any signs or symptoms associated with Huntington's disease, you'll likely be referred to a neurologist after an initial visit to your family doctor. A review of your symptoms, mental state, medical history and family medical history can all be important in the clinical assessment of a potential neurological disorder.