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How can I help my son's balance?

February 1, 2015

Huntington's Disease Youth Organization



How can I help my son's balance?

*Q. My son is 20, he has JHD. He is developing problems with balance and falls. Will physical therapy help with balance? Any medications that are effective with JHD and balance? Anything available to help wth Symptoms of JHD? *

Thanks, a mom who wants to help her son,

Laura, Adult, USA

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A. Hi Laura,

Thanks for sending in the question. It’s possibly that physiotherapy might help to reduce the risk of falls. The first thing to find out ( and which a physio could definitely help with) is the main reasons for the falls, which could be caused by a number of different things (stiffness, lack of attention, cognitive overload, other medications, chorea or dystonia).

Usually medication isn’t that helpful in preventing falls in JHD. If your son is able to recognise situations where falls are more likely, then there might be techniques for reducing the risks. Strengthening core muscles can sometimes reduce the risk of falls too.

If it turns out that the falls are inevitable, then we can look at ways of reducing the damage to him as a result of falls.

So, there’s a lot that can be done but it sounds like the falls need to be closely analysed.

With best wishes