Huntington’s disease (HD) is a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disease. This brain disorder is a result of an inherited mutation in a gene for the protein called huntingtin. It is known to significantly impact one’s functional abilities, leading to the development of movement, cognitive, and psychiatric disorders. Those with Huntington’s have a higher risk of choking and developing eating and swallowing troubles. To ease this, the following tips may be helpful:

Food management strategies for Huntington’s disease

• Rest one to two hours before mealtime.
• Create a calm and relaxed eating environment.
• Sit in an accessible spot on the table, just in case choking occurs and a carer needs to be involved.
• Sit in an upright position while eating. Avoid lying down.
• Instead of eating three spaced apart meals, eat smaller, more frequent meals.
• Choose foods that are easier to chew and swallow.
• Keep eating aids within reach.
• Use non-slip table mats and light utensils such as plastic knives and forks.
• Incorporate sauces and gravies to make foods easier to swallow.
• Avoid hard foods such as nuts and lollipops.
• Avoid food that separates into strings or sections during chewing, such as tomatoes and bacon.
• Opt for foods that have a higher nutritional value. For instance, opt for a protein smoothie instead of a cup of black tea.
• Avoid non-fat and low-fat products.
• Drink fortified beverages such as juices, protein shakes, and nutritional supplement drinks.
• Remain sitting upright for up to half an hour after a meal. Lying down too soon could increase the risk of reflux and choking.

Symptoms of Huntington’s Disease
Symptoms of this condition can be classified into three major categories:

Movement-based symptoms, such as:
Involuntary movements or writhing, known as chorea
Muscle problems such as rigidity or muscle contracture
Slow or unusual eye movements
Impaired posture and balance
Difficulty with speech and swallowing

Cognitive impairments, such as:
Difficulty organizing, prioritizing, and focusing on tasks
Lack of flexibility and tendency to get stuck on a task
Lack of impulse control leading to outbursts
Lack of awareness of one’s behavior and abilities
Slowed down thought processing
Memory loss
Hallucinations
Difficulty in learning new information

Psychiatric and behavioral symptoms, such as:
Depression
Irritability
Social withdrawal
Insomnia
Fatigue or loss of energy
Mania
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Polyphagia
Hypersomnolence
Stubbornness