Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsLess Common SymptomsComplicationsWhen to See a DoctorNext in Huntington’s Disease GuideCauses and Risk Factors of Huntington’s Disease
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Frequent Symptoms
Less Common Symptoms
Complications
When to See a Doctor
Next in Huntington’s Disease Guide
Symptoms ofHuntington’s diseaseinvolve motor and cognitive skills. After they begin, the effects gradually worsen. Sometimes, early on, the symptoms of Huntington’s disease can be similar to those of other types ofdementiaor movement disorders.
Living with Huntington’s disease is difficult for the person who has the condition, as well as their family and loved ones. Over time, the cognitive impairment can cause you to become more dependent on others and lose awareness of your disease, and your own distress about your condition may decrease as your awareness of your condition declines.
Huntington’s disease is fatal, usually resulting in death due to complications within 20 years after diagnosis.
Theresa Chiechi / Verywell
You might be on the lookout for symptoms of Huntington’s disease if you know that you are at risk. Or the symptoms could be unexpected if you are unaware of your disease risk.
The most frequent symptoms of Huntington’s disease are associated with cognitive functioning (thinking skills), involuntary movements, impaired coordination, and loss of motor control.
Common symptoms of Huntington’s disease include:
Dementia, depression, and anxiety are common diagnoses that occur as co-morbid conditions along with Huntington’s disease.
Some of the effects of Huntington’s disease are not necessarily prominent in everyone who has the condition. Often, some symptoms can be subtle, or they might not be as noticeable as the more disruptive effects of the condition.
Less common symptoms of Huntington’s disease include:
If you know that you are at risk of developing Huntington’s disease due to your family history, or if you have tested positive for the genetic mutation, you should seek medical attention for any symptom that’s associated with the condition.
Complications/Sub-Group Indications
Complications can be a significant issue with Huntington’s disease. The dementia and movement impairments lead to issues likemalnutrition, physical injuries, and infections. Typically, the movement problems and the cognitive and behavioral problems worsen together—increasing the likelihood of complications.
Complications of Huntington’s disease include:
Juvenile Huntington’s Disease
Juvenile Huntington’s disease is less common than the usual adult form of the condition. This form begins during the childhood or teenage years and can cause a decline in mobility and learning skills that had already been developing normally.
Young onset Huntington’s disease is characterized similar symptoms as those of the adult-onset form of the disease, with the exception of chorea.
In addition,seizures, which are not common in the adult form, affect about half of those diagnosed with juvenile Huntington’s disease. This condition often worsens more rapidly, and it can be fatal within about 10 to 15 years after the onset of symptoms.
What Is Huntington’s Disease?
When to See a Healthcare Provider/Go to the Hospital
Whether you are at risk of developing Huntington’s disease or have already been diagnosed with the condition, you will need to seek medical attention before and after you start to have symptoms. There are several disease stages that warrant medical attention.
Risk Assessment
If you have a chance of developing Huntington’s disease due to a known family history of the condition, you may want to discuss your risk with your healthcare provider and with your family.
You might decide to considergenetic testing, along with genetic counseling. If you decide to proceed with a genetic test, you would be on the lookout for symptoms if you test positive. If you test negative, then you can rest assured that you won’t develop the condition.
If you opt against genetic testing, you will only learn whether or not you have the disease based on your symptoms (or lifelong lack of symptoms). However, you can decide to have the genetic test at any point later in your life.
Diagnosis
If you develop mood changes, cognitive problems, coordination impairment, or involuntary movements, you should see your healthcare provider.
How Huntington’s Disease Is Diagnosed
Symptom Management
If you are diagnosed with Huntington’s disease, you will need intervention for management of your symptoms when they develop, and as they worsen. As you develop issues such as trouble waking, for example, you may need interventions like physical therapy or a use of a walker.
Emergency Care
With Huntington’s disease, you can have a medical emergency, especially as the condition worsens. Be sure to get prompt attention if you (or someone who you are trying care of) experience any of the following:
You may experience these symptoms due to deterioration of your Huntington’s disease or due to another issue, such as an infection. Acute treatment or reevaluation of your treatment plan may be necessary.
A Word From Verywell
As you pay attention to your early symptoms, and then as you experience disease progression, it is important that you and those who are taking care of you remain observant of your new or worsening symptoms and that you get medical attention whenever you need it.
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ishihara L, Oliveri D, Wild EJ.Neuropsychiatric comorbidities in Huntington’s and Parkinson’s Disease: A United States claims database analysis.Ann Clin Transl Neurol.2020 Nov 20. doi:10.1002/acn3.51252
Bozzi M, Sciandra F.Molecular mechanisms underlying muscle wasting in Huntington’s disease.Int J Mol Sci.2020 Nov 5;21(21):8314. doi:10.3390/ijms21218314
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