Physical Therapy and Huntington's Disease Treatment and Management
The onset of Huntington's disease (HD) is heralded by a wide range of symptoms, from behavioral ones, such as depression and irritability, to physically visible ones, such as bodily tremors, bradykinesia, akinesia, and dysphagia. As the disease advances, symptoms become progressively severe. Physical symptoms, such as involuntary movements, worsen, potentially leading to frequent falls. Although there is currently no cure for HD, there are many treatment regimens that may help slow the progression of symptoms. While most research is aimed at developing drugs and medications to help alleviate HD symptoms, physical therapy interventions also have the potential to improve the quality of life for many patients.
There are three main types of physical therapy: physio-, occupational, and speech. Although there is overlap between these treatments, each type of therapy differs slightly in its goals and how it works.
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