Huntington’s Disease

Huntington’s disease, also known as HD or Huntington’s chorea, is an inherited disease in which nerve cells in the brain break down over time. “HD causes deterioration in a person’s physical, mental, and emotional abilities, usually during their prime working years, and currently has no cure. Most people start developing symptoms during adulthood, between the ages of 30 to 50, but HD can also occur in children and young adults (known as juvenile HD or JHD).”

Symptoms of huntington’s disease may include 

• Unsteady gait
• Loss of muscle
• Abnormality walking
• Forgetfulness
• Personality changes
• Slurred speech
• Weight loss

There are many treatments that can help manage Huntington's disease symptoms. Physical therapy and occupational therapy may help improve patients' strength, mobility, balance and coordination while helping families adjust the home environment to be safe. A physical and/or occupational therapist may provide exercises to improve endurance, range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises, stretches, aerobic exercises, and fine motor rehabilitation. 

An occupational therapist can help a Huntington's disease patient with basic skills such as eating, walking, bathing, and dressing. Occupational therapists can help provide advice on new techniques to continue to complete everyday activities such as dressing and meal preparation as the condition advances. Occupational therapists may recommend using assistive devices throughout the house. Assistive devices may include handrails, wheelchair, shower equipment grab bars or eating and drinking utensils.

If you or a loved one is suffering from Huntington’s disease symptoms, call our office today or schedule an appointment online so our team of experts can help manage your pain.

Great Neck: 475 Northern Blvd., Ste.11, Great Neck, NY 11021   Tel. (516) 829-0030

Farmingdale: 309 North West Dr., Farmingdale, NY 11735   Tel. (516) 420-2900

Woodbury: 150 Woodbury Rd., Woodbury, NY 11797   Tel. (516) 367-1111

Deer Park: 2024 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park, NY 11729   Tel. (631) 243-0247

North Shore Towers: 272-78 Grand Central Pkwy., Floral Park, NY 11005   Tel. (516) 344-0030

In-Home Physical & Occupational Therapy (Home Care): 516-829-0030 

*Home therapy servicing Long Island, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, the Bronx & Manhattan*

Bayside - Aquatic Therapy: 208-32 Cross Island Pkwy., Bayside, NY11360  Tel. (718) 224-8480

Oceanside: 2421 S Long Beach Rd., Oceanside, NY 11572  Tel. (516) 992-2282

Sources: HDSA, Mayoclinic

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Written by:

Dr. Vinod Somareddy, PT, DPT

President

Reddy Care Physical Therapy

Reddy Care Occupational Therapy

Reddy Care Aquatic Therapy

Author

Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy is an outstanding specialty service providing exceptional care and state-of-the-art treatments for the residents of Farmingdale and Great Neck, New York. The combination of innovative exercise programs, manual therapy, and technology together with the expertise of every member of the team enables Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy to provide services that ensure superior clinical outcomes and consistently high patient satisfaction.