What is Huntington's Disease?

Huntington’s Disease is a genetic, neurological condition which causes cells in parts of your brain to malfunction. This will affect change in your movement, thinking and emotions.

Facts about Huntington's

Symptoms usually appear between the ages of 30 and 50, but can begin much earlier or much later
5-10% of people can have symptoms before age 20 (Juvenile HD)
Huntington’s Disease is inherited. Every child conceived naturally to a parent who carries the Huntington’s Disease has a 50% chance of inheriting the gene.
If you have the gene, you will develop symptoms at some stage, although there is no way to tell when this might be.

Symptoms and Effects

Like most neurological conditions, the symptoms vary from person to person, even within the same family. Huntington’s affects your body in three main ways:

Movement - you may experience involuntary movements or difficulty in moving the way that you want to. Speaking and swallowing can be affected in later stages. These are usually the first obvious symptoms.
Thinking - difficulties planning, organising or concentrating. These are the symptoms that sufferers of Huntington’s often find affect them most in daily life.
Emotions - mood changes such as anxiety, depression, compulsive thoughts and irritability. These symptoms often give patients and their families the most concern.

Huntington’s Disease is a progressive condition, meaning symptoms increase over time and greater care and support will be needed.

What is Huntington's Disease?

Huntington’s Disease is a genetic, neurological condition which causes cells in parts of your brain to malfunction. This will affect change in your movement, thinking and emotions.

Symptoms and Effects

Like most neurological conditions, the symptoms vary from person to person, even within the same family. Huntington’s affects your body in three main ways:

Movement - you may experience involuntary movements or difficulty in moving the way that you want to. Speaking and swallowing can be affected in later stages. These are usually the first obvious symptoms.
Thinking - difficulties planning, organising or concentrating. These are the symptoms that sufferers of Huntington’s often find affect them most in daily life.
Emotions - mood changes such as anxiety, depression, compulsive thoughts and irritability. These symptoms often give patients and their families the most concern.

Huntington’s Disease is a progressive condition, meaning symptoms increase over time and greater care and support will be needed.

Facts about Huntington's

Symptoms usually appear between the ages of 30 and 50, but can begin much earlier or much later
5-10% of people can have symptoms before age 20 (Juvenile HD)
Huntington’s Disease is inherited. Every child conceived naturally to a parent who carries the Huntington’s Disease has a 50% chance of inheriting the gene.
If you have the gene, you will develop symptoms at some stage, although there is no way to tell when this might be.

Help is at hand

If you live in the North West, you can directly access our on-site supports. We offer a range of holistic therapies that can benefit the mind and body, and our premium online support service Mpath can offer advice on a wide range of topics, as well as 24/7 helpline staff by professional counsellors and mental health professionals.

We can assist with transport if required, whether for hospital appointments or a family day out. We also offer the use of our all-terrain wheelchair to faciliate a day out to the beach or a walk in the woods.

The Huntington’s Disease Association of Ireland is a national body specifically for sufferers of Huntington’s Disease. Visit their website for a wealth of information and advice about your condition.

Help is at hand

If you live in the North West, you can directly access our on-site supports. We offer a range of holistic therapies that can benefit the mind and body, and our premium online support service Mpath can offer advice on a wide range of topics, as well as 24/7 helpline staff by professional counsellors and mental health professionals.

We can assist with transport if required, whether for hospital appointments or a family day out. We also offer the use of our all-terrain wheelchair to faciliate a day out to the beach or a walk in the woods.

The Huntington’s Disease Association of Ireland is a national body specifically for sufferers of Huntington’s Disease. Visit their website for a wealth of information and advice about your condition.