Early symptoms of HD can differ from person to person, and are easily ignored or misinterpreted. The affected person may experiences mood swings, become irritable, apathetic, lethargic, depressed or angry. Sometimes these symptoms disappear as the disease progresses; sometimes they develop into hostile outbursts or deep depression. Uncontrolled movements may develop in the fingers, feet, face or trunk. These tics are the beginnings of chorea, and can become more intense if the patient is anxious or disturbed. In time, new symptoms begin to emerge: mild clumsiness, loss of coordination and balance problems. Walking becomes increasingly difficult, and the person may stumble or fall. Speech may become slurred. The patient may begin having trouble swallowing or eating. Gradually he or she may lose the ability to recognize others. In rarer variation

It is estimated that 30,000 persons have Huntington's disease nationwide. Another 150,000 are at a 50 percent risk of inheriting the disease from an affected parent. The age of onset can range from age two to over age 80. The disease runs a relentless degenerative course over a period of 10-25 years. The affected person eventually succumbs to complications such as heart failure or aspiration pneumonia. (3)

s of HD, the disease is characterized not by its onset age but by the unique nature of the symptoms. Some adults with HD never develop chorea. Instead, they become rigid, moving little, if at all. Their condition, called akinesia, gives rise to the distinguishing name akinetic-rigid HD, sometimes referred to as the Westphal variant of HD. (1)

HD patients require large quantities of fluids, especially during hot weather, to avoid dehydration. Bendable straws can make drinking easier. In cases where the patient's muscular capability is severely weakened, water may have to be thickened with additives to the consistency of syrup before drinking is possible.(3)

There is no cure for Huntington's disease. Treatment focus

Some common words found in the essay are:
Genetic Components, , huntington's disease, hd gene, chromosome 4, inherits hd gene, risk inheriting disease, symptoms involuntary movements, produces hd, symptoms involuntary, genetic code, mood swings, genetic mutation, affected person, defective gene,
Approximate Word count = 760
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)