The time when symptoms are present but no diagnosis has been made can be a frightening time for individuals with Huntington’s disease as they do not understand what is happening and why. Relationships are often strained by unexpected angry outbursts associated with mood changes.
As the disease progresses symptoms include:
- difficulty walking
- reduced ability to sit or stand stably
- involuntary movements
- speech and swallowing difficulties
- weight loss
Emotional changes can also present as:
Mood changes can result in a loss of motivation, initiative, concentration and organisational skills can result in a loss of drive. Individuals with Huntington’s disease can, therefore, appear very lazy. This can also put strain on relationships with family, carers and friends.
In the later stages of Huntington’s disease, individuals may require full nursing care. Mortality is often due to falls or infection is not generally caused directly by the disease itself.
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