“Those with Huntington's disease should avoid foods that put them at risk of aspiration (sucking food into their airway) or exacerbating (making worse) other swallowing difficulties,” says Hopsecger. These foods include: Raw fruits. Stringy vegetables.
Food suggestions
These so-called “brain foods” include vitamin B12, foods rich in antioxidants andg omega-3, and healthy fats, which are found in foods such as nuts, olive oil and avocados. Research has also suggested that a lower intake of dairy products may help delay onset of the disease.
Weight loss can make symptoms worse and weaken the patient's immune system, making them more vulnerable to infections and other complications. Huntington's disease itself is not usually fatal, but it can lead to choking, pneumonia, or other infections that can lead to death.
Many symptoms of HD can interfere with eating: reduced voluntary motor control, involuntary movements, problems with chewing and choking, as well as changes to cognition that may cause the individual to become distracted and overwhelmed by mealtime activity.
The bottom line. Being physically and mentally active in life is good for everyone, and particularly for those at risk of developing HD, because it might affect symptom onset.
Foods to avoid for Huntington's disease
These foods include: Raw fruits. Stringy vegetables. Tough, crusty breads.
When alcohol becomes a coping mechanism for Huntington's disease, that's when it becomes a problem. “With any neurodegenerative or medical disease, drinking a lot can certainly affect your balance and your gait,” says Dr. Oguh.
Although not directly related to HD, stress is nevertheless related to the progression of the disease because it adds to the neurodegeneration that is already taking place. Chronic stress can alter nerve cells, brain structure, and brain function.
Caffeine boosts a neuroprotective protein in the brain that is lost in neurodegenerative conditions such as Huntington's disease, according to a study. Researchers identified 23 other compounds that also act on the protein, known as NMNAT2.
You can't cure or slow the progression of Huntington disease, but health care providers can offer medications to help with certain symptoms. Drugs like haloperidol, tetrabenazine, and amantadine are especially helpful for controlling the unusual movements caused by Huntington disease.
Huntington's disease is caused by a faulty gene. Cells in parts of the brain are very sensitive to the effects of the faulty gene. This makes them function poorly and eventually die. A parent with the Huntington's disease gene has one good copy of the gene and one faulty copy.
Symptoms of HD typically appear in middle-aged people (adult HD). They can also appear in children (juvenile HD), but this is rare. The disease gets worse over time.
Conclusion The most primary cause of death in HD is aspiration pneumonia.
Research studies have suggested that exercise is beneficial for reducing symptoms and maximizing function in persons with HD. Maintaining a healthy heart is important to the health of all persons, no matter their disability. Persons with HD should engage in aerobic activities ideally for at least 150 minutes a week.
There's currently no cure for Huntington's disease or any way to stop it getting worse. But treatment and support can help reduce some of the problems caused by the condition.
Based on these observations, the researchers think it's possible that individuals with HD might also benefit from thiamine and biotin vitamin supplementation. “Like HD, BTBGD causes damage to a part of the brain called the striatum, which leads to problems with movement, mood, and thinking.
Choose soft, easy-to-chew and easy-to-swallow foods (aim for the consistency of porridge). Use plenty of sauces and gravies to help make main meals easier to swallow. Add plenty of custards, ice-cream and cream to desserts. Avoid hard foods such as nuts and lollies.
Many people with Huntington's disease report that their sleep patterns are affected and sometimes are awake most of the night, then continually catnap or doze throughout the day. Many find themselves experiencing long periods being awake or asleep.
In some patients, schizophrenia-like psychosis and paranoid symptoms have been observed (24). The common symptoms of HD also include sleep disturbances (25). Up to 90% of patients report sleep problems that are evaluated as important by over half of them (26).
“There's a phrase for aerobic exercise that I like — 'Whatever is good for the heart is good for the brain,'” Dr. Ross says. “Aerobic exercise helps protect your brain and may slow the progression of nerve deterioration in Huntington's disease.”
The most painful conditions in Huntington's, said Achterberg, are limb pain, headache, abdominal pain and fractures. “I think we should do more work in validation of pain tools, including observational pain instruments,” he said. “And for clinicians, I suggest you be especially aware of abdominal pain.”
Early symptoms
memory lapses. depression – including low mood, a lack of interest in things, and feelings of hopelessness. stumbling and clumsiness. mood swings, such as irritability or aggressive behaviour.
Mood and behavioral changes
Some patients may experience hallucinations and delusions that can severely affect their day-to-day interactions. Living with Huntington's can induce feelings of anxiety, depression, apathy, and frustration.
Research has indicated that in Huntington's disease the person's cognitive processes are also affected and get progressively worse over the years with some people going onto develop dementia in the later stages of Huntington's.
After Huntington's disease starts, a person's functional abilities gradually worsen over time. The rate of disease progression and duration varies. The time from the first symptoms to death is often about 10 to 30 years. Juvenile Huntington's disease usually results in death within 10 years after symptoms develop.