Huntington Disease: What Is It, and Can It Be Cured?

This article was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.

You may have heard of Huntington’s disease before, but do you know what it is, exactly? Many people interested in health-related topics find it interesting to learn about various illnesses and how they affect the people that live with them. This article will give you an overview of what the disease is, the symptoms that often come with it, and the treatments that are currently available.

What Is Huntington’s Disease?

Huntington’s disease causes nerve cells in the brain to break down, impacting a person’s physical and mental abilities. This disease is quite rare, and it typically leads to cognitive disorders, movement disorders, and psychiatric disorders.

Although the symptoms of Huntington’s disease can develop at any time, they most often begin to emerge when people are in their 30s or 40s. Huntington’s disease that starts before age 20 is referred to as juvenile Huntington’s disease. You can learn more about Huntington’s disease here.

Symptoms of Huntington’s Disease

A wide range of symptoms come with Huntington’s disease, and they vary quite a bit. Everyone who has this disease has a slightly different experience. Here are some of the symptoms that can affect those with Huntington’s disease.

Cognitive Symptoms

• Finding it challenging to focus on tasks
• Struggling to prioritize and organize tasks
• Getting stuck on thoughts and behaviours
• Lack of mental flexibility
• Decreased impulse control can lead to outbursts
• Lack of self-awareness
• Having trouble learning new information
• Struggling to find words and process thoughts

Movement Symptoms

• Muscle problems
• Unusual eye movements
• Impaired balance and posture
• Trouble with swallowing and speech
• Impairments in voluntary movements

Psychiatric Symptoms

• Depression
• Isolation and social withdrawal
• Feelings of sadness, apathy, and irritability
• Energy loss and fatigue
• Insomnia
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Mania
• Thoughts of death, dying, and suicide

If you or someone you love is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help now. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.

Treatments for Huntington’s Disease

As of 2022, there is no known method of curing Huntington’s disease. There are also no medical interventions to keep it from getting worse. However, there are some available treatments and support that can help with the symptoms caused by Huntington’s disease.

New and Future Treatments

Although the prognosis for Huntington’s disease can be challenging to cope with, recent research has had promising results regarding new treatments.

There are currently multiple treatments that are going through clinical trials. Most of these treatments attempt to slow down or stop the condition from continuing by “turning off” the gene that causes Huntington’s disease. If the clinical trials show that these treatments are safe and effective, they’ll likely be available in several years.

Clinics

Many areas have clinics specifically for those living with Huntington’s disease. These clinics are usually run by specialists who can refer patients to other specialists or provide treatments on-site.

Medication

One form of treatment for the symptoms and problems resulting from Huntington’s disease is medication. People living with Huntington’s disease may take medicine to decrease involuntary movements, ease irritability and mood swings, and treat depression. Always speak to your doctor before starting new medications.

Occupational Therapy

Support is also crucial for those with Huntington’s disease. Occupational therapists can help them figure out different ways to complete challenging activities. They can also suggest various changes to the patient’s house to make moving around easier.

These changes can include making the house wheelchair-friendly by adding ramps, installing grab rails, using electric devices, installing voice-controlled lights, and more.

Help with Daily Tasks

Nurses and others who can help with everyday tasks and support those living with Huntington’s disease while eating and getting dressed can be very beneficial.

Speech and Language Therapy and Help from Dietitians

People with Huntington’s disease sometimes work with dietitians and speech and language therapists as well. These professionals can help them eat and communicate better. As far as speech goes, some people with Huntington’s disease use picture charts and electronic speech devices to aid their communication.

Meanwhile, high-calorie diets and eating methods that make the food easier to chew and swallow can make eating more manageable. In later stages of the disease, it’s sometimes necessary to put in a feeding tube.

Exercise and Physiotherapy

Those who have Huntington’s disease also tend to struggle with balance and movement. It’s vital for them to stay as active as possible to improve their physical and mental health. Canes and walkers can be helpful if needed for balance, and physiotherapists can suggest exercise plans and massages to help.

Conclusion

Although a diagnosis of Huntington’s disease can be difficult to accept, many interventions can make life more comfortable. In several years, new treatments that slow down or even stop the progression of the disease may be available. However, for now, they are still going through clinical trials to ensure their effectiveness and safety. If you or someone you love has Huntington’s disease, resources like the Huntington’s Disease Society of America and Huntington’s Disease Association can help by providing support and additional information.