NURS 213 Huntington's Disease

huntington's disease

inherited degenerative neurological disorder (1)

neurons in the basal ganglia are affected

what are affected with huntington's disease (1)

basal ganglia

a group of structures linked to the thalamus in the base of the brain and involved in coordination of movement (1)

huntington's disease

causes the progressive breakdown (degeneration) of nerve cells in the brain (these cells die)

gene testing

what can be done since huntington's disease is genetically transimitted (1)

50% risk of inheriting it

what percent of offspring of people who have HD risk inheriting it (1)

-those who carry the gene have a 50 % of having HD

-those who carry the gene can pass along to their children even if they actively have HD

how does someone get HD (2)

-abnormal movements

-emotional disturbances

-intellectual decline

manifestations of HD (3)

-symptoms progress steadily and increase disability

-death occurs in 15-20 years from onset

-onset is 30-50 years of age

how do symptoms progress and what is the onset and prognosis of HD (3)

-serious infection (pneumonia)

-serious injury (from fall)

death from HD is usually secondary to the condition due to (2)

around the clock care

as the disease progresses what do people require (1)

-movement is severely limited

-difficult to complete any basic motor function

-swallowing can be hard and impossible

-feeding assistance required

what happens as the disease progresses symptom wise (4)

-chorea

-emotional disturbances

-intellectual decline

other signs of HD (3)

chorea

abnormal and excessive involuntary movements (twisting movements of the face, limbs, and body)

-no cure

-treat symptoms

-due to chorea, increases the caloric need of patient to 4000-5000 calories a day

nursing interventions for HD (3)