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Huntington’s disease – 5 stages and symptoms

Huntington’s disease – 5 stages and symptoms

Huntington’s disease is a genetic neurodegenerative disorder that progresses through distinct stages. Each stage has its own set of challenges and symptoms. Its symptoms often include challenges in motor functions, involuntary movements, cognitive issues, and psychological problems. To better understand Huntington’s disease, it is necessary to understand its stages and the challenges they bring. So, here are the five stages of Huntington’s disease that one should know about. It can help one seek appropriate treatment.

Stage 1 (preclinical)
The first stage of Huntington’s disease is known as the preclinical stage, and it often goes unnoticed as individuals do not show significant symptoms. The initial symptoms that may be noticed include anxiety, irritability, depression, and learning difficulties. With no severe symptoms, individuals at this stage may go about their daily lives and routines.

The doctor may suggest genetic testing to determine the possibility of Huntington’s disease. This genetic disease is caused by a mutation in the HTT gene, which further causes the production of abnormal huntingtin proteins. So, genetic testing is conducted to determine the presence of the mutated HTT gene.

Stage 2 (early)
The second stage of Huntington’s disease is called the early stage. This is when an individual begins to show noticeable symptoms. These may include cognitive, motor, and psychological symptoms. However, these symptoms at this stage may still be subtle. The symptoms may include the following:

  • Motor symptoms
    At this stage of Huntington’s disease, the motor symptoms include involuntary twitches in facial muscles, fingers, and toes. These twitching and jerky movements are called chorea.
  • Cognitive challenges
    Individuals may also begin experiencing cognitive challenges at this stage, including slight memory impairment. They may also begin experiencing difficulty concentrating.
  • Psychological symptoms
    Individuals may experience psychological symptoms such as depression and irritability. While most individuals at this stage can still carry on with their daily routine, some may face professional and personal difficulties due to cognitive challenges and psychological symptoms.

Stage 3 (middle)
The symptoms may become more noticeable during the middle stage of Huntington’s disease. Due to this, the individual may now face difficulties carrying on with their daily tasks. They may also require help with a few regular tasks. The symptoms at this stage include the following:

  • Motor impairment
    Chorea, or involuntary twitching movements, become more prominent at this stage. They may be accompanied by the individual’s difficulty maintaining balance and walking.
  • Cognitive challenges
    Cognitive impairments worsen at this stage. They include issues with memory and concentration, along with difficulties in communication, decision-making, and problem-solving.
  • Behavioral and emotional challenges
    At this stage, behavioral and emotional challenges may intensify. They include mood swings, irritability, and depression.
  • Difficulty in swallowing
    A symptom that may show up at this stage is difficulty swallowing.

Stage 4 (late)
The fourth stage of Huntington’s disease is called the late stage. It is characterized by severe motor and cognitive impairments. At this stage, individuals heavily depend on caregivers for their daily activities. The symptoms may include the following:

  • Motor function impairment
    At this stage, individuals may face more difficulty with voluntary motor functions. They may experience abnormally slow movements.
  • Communication and cognitive challenges
    Individuals may also face difficulties communicating due to speech impairment. The cognitive functions also continue to deteriorate.
  • Difficulty swallowing
    It may become tough for individuals to swallow at this stage, and a feeding tube may need to be inserted.
  • Trouble sleeping
    Individuals may also find it difficult to sleep during this stage.

Stage 5 (advanced)
This is the most advanced and difficult stage of Huntington’s disease. Individuals at this stage face extreme physical and cognitive decline. Due to limited voluntary movements, they are completely dependent on caregivers. They are also completely bedridden. They may also have severely limited or entirely lost communication abilities. Swallowing problems and a high risk of infections such as pneumonia become severe.

Here are a few things to know about the disease:

  • Living with Huntington’s disease
    Living with Huntington’s Disease is a challenging and emotionally complex journey that affects not only individuals diagnosed with the condition but also their families and caregivers. The daily life of an individual with this disorder is filled with uncertainty and challenges that evolve as the disease progresses.

    The initial stages may cause a sense of dread and anxiety in the individual as subtle symptoms like involuntary movements and mild cognitive changes begin occurring. These symptoms begin to disrupt their daily life, and even simple tasks become challenging due to the deterioration of motor functions. Due to cognitive issues, individuals may find it hard to remember certain things, like a conversation they had or a show they watched on TV after a certain stage. If the issues worsen, they may also find themselves forgetting familiar places, posing a risk of getting lost. Therefore, as the stages progress, individuals require much care and support from their loved ones.

  • Support groups
    Support groups play a vital role in the lives of individuals and families affected by Huntington’s disease. These groups help by offering emotional and practical support throughout the challenging journey of living with the disease. Some groups also exchange information about the latest research developments and treatment options. Through these support groups, individuals can gain insights into managing symptoms, addressing emotional distress, and maintaining the highest possible quality of life for themselves and their loved ones.

  • Cure for Huntington’s disease
    There is neither a known cure for Huntington’s disease nor a way to slow its progression. However, research and trials are still being conducted to find them. Since there is no cure, doctors may still prescribe treatment options that help individuals deal with the symptoms. They may also suggest physical and occupational therapy to deal with motor functions during the early stages and make daily tasks slightly easier.

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