Sunday, March 1, 2009

What are the physical symptoms of the disease?

The early signs of Huntington's Disease vary greatly from person to person. However, the earlier the symptoms become visible, the faster the disease progresses. The earliest signs of this disease are usually changes in personality like sudden mood swings. The disease will also affect the individual's cognitive functions. Young people who have this disease will sometimes develop symptoms similar to Parkinson's Disease such as muscle rigidity, tremors and slow movements. Huntington's disease develops slowly and the amount of nerve loss determines the severity of the symptoms. As the disease progresses the individual will develop symptoms such as:

* Sudden jerky, involuntary movements (chorea) throughout your body
* Severe problems with balance and coordination
* Difficulty shifting your gaze without moving your head
* Hesitant, halting or slurred speech
* Swallowing problems
* Dementia

The disease lasts for 10 to 30 years and death usually occurs due to infection (most often pneumonia), injuries related to a fall, or other complications.

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