Huntington’s Disease Awareness Day
Huntington Disease Awareness day is celebrated on 15th May every year. It is a genetic disorder that has no cure. It causes a progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain leading to the deterioration of a person’s physical, mental, and emotional abilities.
How is Huntington’s disease awareness done?
During May, buildings, monuments, and statues are usually lit up in blue and purple, blue to raise awareness of Huntington’s disease, and purple for juvenile Huntington’s. Patients, caregivers, families, and friends nationwide are organizing fundraisers, planting virtual flowers, lighting landmarks blue and purple, taking hikes, flooding social media, and sharing stories about H.D. It is all intended to heighten awareness among the general public and draw the attention of policymakers, public authorities, scientists, health professionals, and industry representatives.
What are the symptoms of Huntington’s Disease?
The symptoms of HD can vary and your doctor can help you to understand or either direct to specialized HD clinics
Huntington’s disease typically starts between ages 30 and 50,
but it can begin when you are younger.
HD affects your:
• Movement
• Behavior
• Thinking, understanding, learning, remembering
• Personality
The most common symptom is movement you cannot control,
called chorea. Chorea causes dance-like movements. Other
movement problems can include trouble with speech and walking.
You may also experience these symptoms:
• Memory loss, poor concentration, trouble doing tasks, impulse
control problems
• Depression and lack of interest
• Sleep changes
• Sexual problems
• Difficulty swallowing
• Falling
In the early years, some slight mental, emotional, and behavioral
changes may come before the more obvious physical symptoms.
What is the cure for Huntington’s Disease?
Currently there is no treatment that can slow down or reverse the
disease. HD is not curable now, but there are medications that can
reduce some symptoms. These medications may help improve
movement, depression, and behaviors. Ask your neurologist
about your medication options