There are many diseases and conditions that can affect people’s mobility country-wide. Here at ALS Stairlifts, we are dedicated to making homes and businesses accessible for those who experience a lack of mobility because of a disease, making their day to day more bearable.
One such disease that affects people’s mobility on a daily basis is Huntington’s Disease.
What is Huntington’s Disease?
This particular disease is an inherited condition which causes a slow deterioration in the patient over time. The direct cause of this disease is a faulty gene inherited from parents, though a small percent of patients has no family history of the disease – often because their parents died at a young age. It impedes patient’s movement, cognition (thinking and judgement) and their overall behaviour.
It is a condition which affects both men and women, with symptoms which usually appear during adulthood. A small percentage (>10%) of cases are juvenile Huntington’s Disease, but these are very rare and the symptoms may be different in a patient that has not yet reached full maturity.
Diagnosis
Early indicators of this disease include a change in personality, mood swings, fidgeting, irritation and other out of character issues. Much of this is often associated with other causes – such as stress or personal issues – and can be hard to be identified with Huntington’s Disease.
If your physician does suspect the disease is present, then you will often be directed to a specialist for further testing. Typically, this is a neurologist and they assess your symptoms to help rule out any other diseases. Eye movement, balance, control and walking are factors they may consider in your diagnosis. Speech is also another factor that might indicate whether or not you are suffering from Huntington’s Disease.
Finally, genetic testing will take place in order to confirm a diagnosis as this is the most accurate way of identifying Huntington’s.
Treatment
Currently, there is no cure or way to slow down the effects of Huntington’s Disease. However, treatment can be administered to help retain everyday skills that you may need in order to limit the strain on family life. Improvement of mood is also an important aim of any treatment to prevent unnecessary mood swings and disturbances.
Occupational therapy can also be used to help speech and motor movements remain stable, allowing for everyday life to continue as normally as possible for the patient.
The disease progresses over a span of ten to twenty-five years following the diagnosis, resulting in the patient’s death. Later stages of the disease leaves the patient entirely dependent upon exterior nursing care as the disease takes full effect. Heart failure, pneumonia or another infection is usually the direct cause of death.
We here at ALS Stairlifts can give you expert advice to help you decide which stair lift would be the best fit for your needs and home. Don’t hesitate to contact a member of the team today on 0800 046 3438.