HEREDITARY CHOREA Meaning and
Definition
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Hereditary chorea, also known as Huntington's chorea, is a genetic neurological disorder characterized by uncontrolled and involuntary movements, as well as cognitive and psychiatric disturbances. It is an autosomal dominant disorder, meaning that if one parent has the condition, there is a 50% chance of the child inheriting the defective gene.
The term "chorea" refers to the rapid, random, and involuntary movement of limbs, face, and other body parts, resembling dancing or jerking motions. These movements worsen with time, leading to difficulties in coordination and balance, and affecting daily activities such as walking, eating, and speaking.
In addition to the physical symptoms, individuals with hereditary chorea may experience cognitive decline, leading to problems with memory, concentration, and decision-making. They may also develop emotional and psychiatric disturbances, including depression, anxiety, and mood swings.
The onset of hereditary chorea can vary, but it usually appears in mid-adulthood, between the ages of 30 and 50. However, there are also cases where symptoms begin in childhood or in late adulthood. The disease is progressively degenerative, leading to a decline in overall functioning and a shorter lifespan.
There is currently no cure for hereditary chorea, and treatment mainly focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life. This may involve medications to control movement, alleviate psychiatric symptoms, and provide support and counseling to patients and their families. Genetic counseling is also recommended for individuals with a family history of the disorder, as it can help assess the risk of transmission and provide guidance for reproductive choices.
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Huntington's c., a chronic disorder, beginning usually between the ages of 30 and 50 years, characterized by choreic movements in the face and extremities accompanied by a gradual loss of the mental faculties ending in dementia; it is hereditary and is due to chronic meningitis with degeneration in the cortical cells of the brain.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HEREDITARY CHOREA
- gereditary chorea
- bereditary chorea
- nereditary chorea
- jereditary chorea
- uereditary chorea
- yereditary chorea
- hwreditary chorea
- hsreditary chorea
- hdreditary chorea
- hrreditary chorea
- h4reditary chorea
- h3reditary chorea
- heeeditary chorea
- hededitary chorea
- hefeditary chorea
- heteditary chorea
- he5editary chorea
- he4editary chorea
- herwditary chorea
- hersditary chorea
Etymology of HEREDITARY CHOREA
The term "hereditary chorea" originates from the combination of two words: "hereditary" and "chorea".
1. Hereditary: The word "hereditary" comes from the Latin word "hereditarius", which means "relating to inheritance". It derives from the Latin word "hereditas", meaning "inheritance". In this context, "hereditary" refers to a condition or disease that is passed down through generations in a family due to genetic factors.
2. Chorea: The word "chorea" is derived from the Greek word "khoreia", which means "dance". It refers to a movement disorder characterized by involuntary, irregular, rapid, and jerky movements of the limbs, face, and other body parts. The term "chorea" was used to describe the condition because the rapid and irregular movements resemble a dance-like motion.
