Huntington's Disease Home Page

Treatment

Although there is no known cure for Huntington's Disease, the symptoms are manageable through various medications and a healthy lifestyle.  Research is currently under way to learn more about HD and the gene that is responsible for it.  One treatment option you may wish to discuss with your doctor is participation in one of several clinical trials currently in progress for Huntington's.

Medications for Symptom Management^[1]

• Tetrabenazine (Xenazine) for jerky movements
• Tranquilizers such as clonazepam (Klonopin) and antipsychotic drugs such as haloperidol and clozapine (Clozaril) for uncontrollable movements, outbursts, and hallucinations
• Fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), sertraline (Zoloft) and nortriptyline (Pamelor) for depression and obsessive-compulsive symptoms that some patients suffer
• Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid) for extreme emotions and mood swings

Other Treatments^[2]

• Speech therapy can help you learn how to express your thoughts and feelings once you start losing control of your speech.
• Physical therapy helps keep your muscles strong and flexible, reducing your risk of falling and minimizing your clumsiness.
• Occupational therapy can provide you with strategies to manage your psychological symptoms and maintain a fairly normal home life.

Healthy Lifestyle

Studies show that exercise and proper nutrition are very helpful in the management of Huntington's.  Regular exercise helps you keep fit and keeps your heart and immune system active and healthy.  Proper nutrition provides your body with the nutrients and minerals it needs to stay strong.  Taking extra vitamins helps ensure that you are getting all the vitamins that you need to stay on top of your HD.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Foods.jpg

Nutrition Tips^[3]

When you get to the point where you are having trouble swallowing, make sure to cut your food up into small pieces so that you do not choke on them.  Also, try to cut back on dairy products (while making sure you are still consuming a healthy amount of calcium every day), as dairy products tend to make your body secrete more mucous, which increases your risk of choking.