Tuesday, March 23, 2010

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Huntington's Disease

(a.k.a huntington’s chorea/dance; a.ka. Hereditary chorea; a.k.a chronic progressive chorea; a.k.a adult chorea)

Symptoms of Huntington’s are frenzied and quick movements. These signs are frequently found in face and arms where the patient progresses from mild nervous movements to contorted facial expressions, indistinct speech. The patient also develops dementia (disorder: memory failures, personality changes, impaired reasoning). This symptom is ultimate in all patients.

(Obstinacy, carelessness, untidiness, moodiness, apathy, inappropriate behavior, loss of memory/concentration, (maybe) paranoia. Death.)

Huntington’s is transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait. If it is not inherited in a child then the child can not carry it on to his children.

Onset is insidious and occurs in the middle age. (35 to 40) Location is on the arm of chromosome 4. Repeating CAG (nucleotide sequence) forty or more times. The larger the nucleotide expansion, the earlier the disease occurs.

The disorder only varies in dementia where the patient may or may not experience varied degrees of paranoia.

Huntington’s can be detected by positron emission tomography (obtaining pictures inside they body) and analyzing DNA strains.

The disease can be detected in parents if they go to centers specializing in Huntington’s.

No known cure.

Tranquilizers, chlorpromazine (sedative). These, however, increase inelasticity. To control the movements, choline can easily be prescribed. Institutionalization may also be necessary.

Emotions and mentality can affect the disorder.

Attend to basic needs. Offer emotional support, teach, allow expression. Stay alert for suicide efforts. Pad railing and avoid restraints. Provide a walker.

Bibliography

http://www.hdsa.org/ Huntington's Disease Society of America

Karcher, Susan J. “Huntington’s disease.” Magills Medical Guide, 4th rev. ed. Salem Press, 2008. Salem Health. Salem Press. 21 Mar 2010

Professional Guide to Diseases: Seventh edition. Huntington’s Disease. Springhouse. January 2001.