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Huntington' s Chorea

Medical Questions » Huntington' s Chorea
Name: Huntington' s Chorea
Also known as:
A distressing, incurable disease that affects muscle function and coordination and is passed from one generation to the next.
Causes of Huntington' s Chorea
Congenital condition that is passed to half the children of a patient, but because the symptoms do not become apparent until between 30 and 50 years of age, it has often already been passed to the next generation before diagnosis. It is likely that all cases in existence can be traced back to previous sufferers.
Symptoms of Huntington' s Chorea
Irregular, random movements of the arms, legs and face; irritability, mood changes, antisocial behavior, restlessness, fidgeting, abnormal movements of the body, mental deterioration, premature senility, and rigid muscles. Symptoms develop very slowly over many years.
Tests for Huntington' s Chorea
The chromosomal location of the gene that carries the condition from one generation to the next has been identified and the children of a patient can now decide if they wish to know if they are carrying the abnormal gene. This decision will obviously have dramatic effects upon their future lifestyle.
Treatment for Huntington' s Chorea
No effective treatment available, but some psychiatric drugs can control mood changes, and muscle relaxants may ease the abnormal movements.
Complications of Huntington' s Chorea of its treatment
Serious psychiatric disturbances.
Likely Outcome of Huntington' s Chorea
The inevitable progression cannot be halted. Death within 10 to 20 years of symptoms developing is usual.
       
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