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What Can I Do About My Health Now?
Research is key to finding effective treatments, a cure and strategies we can implement in our daily lives now that will make a difference for those individuals from a Huntington’s family. In the year 2000, an article was published in the journal Nature, demonstrating for the first time that in any genetic model of a brain disorder that environmental factors could delay the onset or slow the progress of the disease. Our own Professor Anthony Hannan who is based at the Florey Institute in Melbourne Victoria has continued to explore this premise and has found that the brain can change itself. Through his research, Professor Hannan has discovered that cognitive stimulation and increased physical activity are relevant to brain health as demonstrated through the following works. As Professor Hannan has stated “We provided the first evidence in Huntington’s disease that chronic stress, and even just elevating levels of stress hormone, can bring forward particular symptoms”. In practical terms, please refer to Professor Hannan’s detailed description of “Four key ways to improve your brain health” for further understanding.
Keeping Active
Keeping yourself physically and mentally active is an important part of staying healthy. But did you know that this is especially important if you are at risk of Huntington’s disease, gene positive or diagnosed with Huntington’s disease?
Cognitive & Mental Wellbeing
Mental illness, while also common in the general public, often comes about in individuals living with Huntington’s disease. There are medications, treatments and activities that can help manage the effects of mental illnesses and elevate overall wellbeing.
Balanced Diet
It can be a tricky proposition to implement a nutritous diet and have a quality of life. Our recommendation to achieve both is to have everything in moderation.
Reducing Stress
The psychological impacts that happen overtime as a result of changes in the brain can increase the experience of low moods, anxiety, irritability and depression. Mindfulness and meditation are two things that you can do to help manage these unhelpful thoughts and feelings, and reduce your stress.