Huntington’s disease is a hereditary disease that causes the degeneration of brain cells. One of the main symptoms of this condition is uncontrollable jerky movements in the arms, legs, face, head, and upper body (called chorea). Other symptoms may also include a decline in thinking and reasoning skills, alterations in mood, and behavioral changes. This article explores how the condition impacts one’s eating and food management strategies to improve nutritional intake. How Huntington’s affects the body and food intake Chorea Huntington causes jerky, uncontrollable movements called chorea. This can use more energy, increasing one’s caloric needs. Difficulty in planning Huntington’s may cause short-term memory loss, making it difficult to plan meals in advance. This can also affect one’s food and nutrition. Clumsiness One may also experience stumbling and clumsiness. As a result, one may find it difficult to eat or drink, causing embarrassment among individuals with Huntington’s. Mood changes Cognitive changes with Huntington’s can cause depression and anxiety. This can cause changes in appetite, affecting one’s desire to eat. Muscular changes With Huntington’s, individuals may also have hand-eye coordination, eating, and posture issues. This can limit their ability to put food into their mouths, affecting their daily eating habits. Additionally, it can make it difficult to close the lips together, causing spillage.

Huntington’s disease is a rare and inherited health disorder that causes the brain’s nerve cells to progressively break down over time. As the cells degenerate, a person’s functional abilities start to decline. Additionally, their movements, cognitive ability, and mental health are also affected. It is similar to having ALS, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s disease simultaneously. These symptoms develop gradually over the course of several years as the disease progresses through multiple stages. Causes of Huntington’s disease Huntington’s disease is a genetic health disorder. It results from a difference or mutation in a particular gene. This difference is generally inherited. Thus, Huntington’s disease runs in the family. Also, it is an autosomal dominant disorder. This implies that only one copy of the different gene is enough for a person to develop this disorder. Thus, a child has a 50% chance of inheriting the nontypical gene from a parent, who may pass along a healthy or nontypical copy of the gene. Therefore, if both parents have Huntington’s disease, there is a 100% chance that their child may have it, too. Progression of Huntington’s disease The atypical gene that causes Huntington’s disease is present in a person at birth. However, the symptoms do not start manifesting at that time.

In the realm of neurological disorders, Huntington’s Disease (HD) stands as a formidable adversary, relentlessly encroaching upon the lives of those afflicted. HD is a hereditary, progressive neurodegenerative disorder that impairs both motor and cognitive functions, leading to a profound deterioration in an individual’s quality of life. With a genetic underpinning involving the expansion of CAG trinucleotide repeats, HD presents a complex clinical picture characterized by a range of motor symptoms, cognitive impairments, and psychiatric manifestations. Motor symptoms Chorea One of the hallmark symptoms of Huntington’s Disease is chorea, characterized by involuntary, jerky, and unpredictable movements of the limbs, face, and other body parts. These movements can be mild or severe and often interfere with activities of daily living. Dystonia Individuals with HD may experience muscle contractions and abnormal postures known as dystonia. This symptom can lead to sustained muscle contractions, causing discomfort and difficulty maintaining a normal posture. Bradykinesia As the disease progresses, individuals may develop bradykinesia, a slowness of voluntary movements. This can affect one’s ability to initiate and complete tasks. Impaired coordination Huntington’s disease often leads to impaired coordination and balance. Individuals may have difficulty walking and may become prone to falls. Difficulty swallowing Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a common symptom in advanced stages of HD.