Should I have kids if I have Huntington's?

The genetic risk to children
A person with a Huntington's disease affected parent has a 50% risk of having inherited the Huntington's disease gene. Each child of that person has a 25% chance of inheriting the condition. But this '25%' only applies while the person is untested.

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Can people with HD have children?

Each child of a parent with HD has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the HD gene. A child who does not inherit the HD gene will not develop the disease, and generally, they cannot pass it on to their children or other future generations.

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How do people cope with Huntington's disease?

Keep life simple - Rest, Exercise, Nutrition, A daily laugh Carry earplugs with you when you are out (Some people with HD are sensitive to noise) Carry calendars with you to write down everything you must do for the day and any information you get from other people.

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Can two parents without Huntington's have a child who has the disease?

With dominant diseases like Huntington's Disease (HD), it is usually pretty easy to figure out risks. Generally if one parent has it then each child has a 50% chance of having it too. And if neither parent has the disease, then odds are that none of the kids will either. Huntington's is a dominant genetic disease.

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Should I find out if I have Huntington's disease?

See your health care provider if you notice changes in your movements, emotional state or mental ability. The signs and symptoms of Huntington's disease can be caused by a number of different conditions. Therefore, it's important to get a prompt, thorough diagnosis.

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Parents face choice of having children with Huntington's Disease

28 related questions found

Does Huntington's disease get worse with age?

People can start to show the symptoms of Huntington's disease at almost any age. Most will develop problems between the ages of 30 and 50. The condition gradually gets worse for around 10-25 years, until the person dies.

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Is Huntington's disease always terminal?

Huntington's disease is a condition that stops parts of the brain working properly over time. It's passed on (inherited) from a person's parents. It gets gradually worse over time and is usually fatal after a period of up to 20 years.

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Which gender is more likely to inherit Huntington's disease?

In the United States, Huntington's disease occurs in about one of every 10,000 to 20,000 people. It affects males and females equally and crosses all ethnic and racial boundaries. Typically, symptoms begin between age 30 and 55.

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What celebrity has Huntington's disease?

Famous People with Huntington's Disease
  • Woody Guthrie. Woodrow Wilson Guthrie (July 14, 1912– October 3, 1967) was an American musician and songwriter whose legacy involves hundreds of children's songs, traditional songs, ballads as well as improvised works. ...
  • Charles Sabine.

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What gender is more likely to get Huntington's disease?

Myth 1: HD is a male disease. Fact: Both men and women can be born with the HD gene.

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Is there hope for Huntington's disease?

Summary. Although no disease-modifying therapies currently exist to slow or halt the progression of Huntington's disease, many new types of treatment are under investigation that may offer hope for the future.

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Can you slow down Huntington's disease?

There's currently no cure for Huntington's disease or any way to stop it getting worse.

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Is Huntington's disease inherited from mother or father?

There have been reports that juvenile onset Huntington's chorea is almost always inherited from the father, and that late-onset Huntington's chorea is inherited more often from the mother than from the father.

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Can IVF prevent Huntington's disease?

Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) screens embryos for HD before they are implanted using in-vitro fertilization (IVF). This process, allows couples to eliminate the chance of their children inheriting and passing on Huntington's disease.

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What are 3 interesting facts about Huntington's disease?

Huntington's Disease Facts
  • Huntington's Disease (HD) is an inherited brain disorder.
  • HD typically begins between the ages of 30-45, though onset may occur as early as the age of two or as late as the 70s.
  • HD affects males and females equally and affects all ethnic and racial groups.

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Should I be worried about Huntington's disease?

If you have Huntington disease, it is important to closely monitor you condition, and contact your healthcare provider if you notice any of the following symptoms: Increasing difficulty with motor tasks such as walking. Trouble swallowing. Mood changes, such as increasing symptoms of depression or feelings of suicide.

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What country has the most Huntington's disease?

Huntington's disease is currently found in many different countries and ethnic groups around the world. The highest frequencies of HD are found in Europe and countries of European origin, such as the United States and Australia. The lowest documented frequencies of HD are found in Africa, China, Japan, and Finland.

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Has anyone been cured Huntington's disease?

While the cause of the disease is known — a single mutated gene — there is no cure. “Our plan is to conduct human clinical trials that deliver stem cells to replace damaged brain cells, reducing levels of harmful proteins that build up in the brains of Huntington's disease patients.”

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Why can't Huntington's disease be cured?

The disease is genetic, which means it is inherited from your parents. There is no cure, and it is fatal. People are born with the defective gene that causes the disease.

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What is the longest someone has lived with Huntington's disease?

The range of disease duration was between 2 and 17 years, the oldest living to age 91.

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Is Huntington's disease 100% fatal?

Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant inherited neurodegenerative condition characterized by motor, psychiatric and cognitive disturbances that generally manifests in middle-aged patients and has a median survival of 24 years from diagnosis [1].

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What is the most common cause of death in Huntington's?

Huntington's Disease (HD) is not fatal in itself. People with HD have a shorter life expectancy and die of other life-threatening complications related to this disease. Pneumonia and heart disease are the two leading causes of death for people with HD.

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Can stress make Huntington's disease worse?

(For more information on Complications of HD, click here.) It is important to know that stress can lead to complications and the worsening of symptoms in people with HD.

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What is end-of-life Huntington's disease?

Common end-of-life signals include significant weight loss, difficulty swallowing or breathing, recurrent aspiration pneumonia, and uncontrolled pain.

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