Life+With+Huntington's+Disease

=__**Life With Huntington's Disease:**__= While HD symptoms usually appear later in life, they can occasionally appear in children ( childhood Huntington's Chorea). The sooner these symptoms appear, the more severe the disease and quicker it progresses. The life expectancy after being diagnosed ranges from about 10-30 years.Beyond the patients themselves there are difficulties and challenges as families of patients deal with this overwhelming disease. The family must be very patient, and cautious that while the sympoms get worse, their patience doesn't run low. They also must be supportive and positive. There attitudes can have a great impact on the patient. There are some simple things that can be done to make life easier around the house. Lable items to avoid confusion and frusteration. Encourage exercise because it can help fight depression and can help to make some daily tasks easier. Also be sure to keep the patient well fed, and hydrated. This is important to anyone who may be sick, but for someone with HD, a high-calorie diet can offset a change in metabolism. As the disease gets worse, food may need to be cut up into smaller pieces because swallowing will become difficult. To minimize risk of suicide, weapons should be removed from the house and medications closely monitored.

Source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/13279-improve-quality-life-huntingtons-disease/