About Huntington Disease
Huntington's Disease is a genetic, degenerative disease that kills nerve cells in the brain. People usually get the disease at about 40 years old, although it can affect people of different ages.
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Cause
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Huntington's Disease is caused by an abnormal gene, which is responsible for producing a protein called huntingtin. There is a 50 percent chance that a child will get the disease if one of his parents has it.
Symptoms
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People with the disease often have problems with twitching in their arms, legs, face and/or other parts of their body. They may experience irritability, anger and/or depression. They may also have problems with memory, decision-making, learning, eating, balance and coordination and/or speech.
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Testing
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A doctor will usually check a patient's hearing, eye movements, reflexes, balance and/or mental facilities to rule out other possible medical problems. Some doctors perform a computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to look for abnormalities inside the brain.
Medical Treatment
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There is no cure for Huntington's Disease, and people with the disease often survive 15 to 20 years after its onset. Tetrabenazine is a drug that reduces involuntary twitching movements by providing the brain with increased levels of dopamine. Tranquilizers, such as clonazepam or haloperidol, are used to reduce hallucinations and violent outbursts.
Other Treatment
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Patients with the disease need to exercise regularly to have better physical and mental health. They also should drink plenty of fluids because they can become dehydrated easily.
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