Juvenile-HD

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INDEX Page
Tools For Viewing
10 The Most Commonly Asked Questions
Clinical Trials & Research
Huntington's Disease~WeMove Info
Advocacy/Donations/Press Info
Clinical Definition & Search
Facing HD~Family Handbook
JHD Handbook-Chapter 1
JHD Info-Stanford Univ.
Physician's Guide To HD
Caring for People with HD
Physical & Occupational Therapy In HD
Understanding Behaviour in HD-Dr. Jane Paulsen
Understanding Behavioral-Dr. Edmond Chiu
Advanced Stages Caregivers Handbook
First Shift-Certified Nursing Assistants
Activities of Daily Living-HD
Unified HD Rating Scale (UHDRS) Motor Section
Westphal Variant
SECTION 1 - AT RISK
Age & Probability Chart
At Risk For HD-What Next?
At-Risk Checklist
Best Interest of Child?
Crystal Ball?
Food For Thought
Parent Hasn't Tested?
Q&A On Risk of Inheriting JHD
Testing Children
SECTION 2 - GENETIC TESTING
Genetic Disorders & Birth Defects
Genetic Testing for HD
Genetic Counseling-In General
Psychological Impact
Intro: Genetics/Genetic Testing
Prenatal & Preimplanation
Prenatal Testing-In General
o Genetic Testing Resources
o Personal Stories
SECTION 3 - JHD
Coping With The Early Years
Age of HD Appearance
Age of Onset-Historical
Family-HD Underestimated
Children of Parents With HD
Child~Parent Ill
Clinical Description JHD
HD - What Kids Are Saying
HD & Me
JHD-Duration of Illness
JHD-Clinical and Research
JHD Symptoms
Parenting With HD
Patients/Families Coping
Talking With Children About HD
5 Stages of HD
JHD Resources
SECTION 4 - SYMPTOM RECOGNITION
Parent Resources
8 Fears of A Chronic Illness
Anxiety/Apathy/Irritability~HD
Anxiety, Fears & Phobias
Apathy-Physician's Guide
Ataxia
Attention-Perceptual/Unawareness Physician's Guide
Bed/Pressure Sores
Bed/Pressure Ulcer Guideline
Behavior Management
Bi-Polar Disorders
Botulinum toxin therapy
Bradykinesia
Caring Tips
Child Abuse-Reconizing Signs
Chorea-Physician's Guide
Chorea
Cognitive/Decision Making/Impulsivity
Cognitive-Short Tips
Contractures~Joints Locking
Dehydration-Physician's Guide
Dehydration
Delirium
Denial of HD
Depression~Physician's Guide
Depression-Understanding It
Depression-How To Help
Depression - Treatment Resistant Patient
Depression-Other Resources
-Read If Your Child Is On Antidepressant
Disgust - Impaired Recognition in HD
Dissociative disorders
Driving - Physician's Guide
Dyslexia
Dyslexia Resources
Dystonia
Dystonia/Rigidity & Spasticity Physician's Guide
Dystonia-Predominant Adult-Onset HD
Epileptic Seizures and Epilepsy
Epilepsy-Seizures~PG
-Seizures ~Special Populations
Falling~Safety
Falling - Subdural Hematoma Risk
Fevers - Unexplained
Fevers, sweating & menstural cycles in HD
GERD (Stomach)
HD Principle Treatments
Hallucinations/Psychosis~PGHD
Hand muscle reflexes in HD
Hypothalamus - A Personal Theory
Insomia ~Physician's Guide
Irritability~Temper Outburst Physician's Guide
Learning Disability
Mania/OCD~Physician's Guide
Mood Disorder Rate In HD
Myoclonus (Movements)
Nails-What To Look For
Night Terrors
Obsessive Compulsive OCD
Panic Disorder
Personality disorders
Pneumonia
Pneumonia-Advanced Stages
Pneumonia - Aspirated (Inhaled)
Prosody - Social Impairment
Sexuality~Physician's Guide
Skins Sensitivity
Sleep Disorders
Smoking-Physician's Guide
Spasticity
Stress
Tremors
Why Certain Symptoms Occur
Symptom & Treatment Resources
SECTION 5 - COMMUNICATION
Communication Resources
Communication Problems
Communication Strategies For HD~Jeff Searle
SECTION 6 - EATING/SWALLOWING/NUITRITION
Hints For Weight Loss in HD
HD & Diet~HSA Fact Sheet 7
Nutrients: Some Possible Deficiency Symptoms
Nutrition and HD~Anna Gaba (Recipes)
Nutrition Information In HD~Naomi Lundeen
Speech & Swallowing~Lynn Rhodes
Swallowing & Nutrition Physician's Guide To HD
Swallowing & Nuitrition Resources
Swallowing Warning Signs
5 Swallowing Problems
Taste changes in HD
Weight Gain
Resources-Drinks/Shakes
-Feeding Tubes~Advanced Stages of HD
-Feeding Tube~Jean Miller
-Feeding Tubes: One More Word ~Jean Miller
-Feeding Tubes & Baby Foods
-Feeding Tube~Dental Care
-Feeding Tube Instructions~Jean Miller
-Feeding Tube Resources
SECTION 7 - THERAPIES
Finding a Therapist - Behavoir
What Is A Physiotherapist?
Physical Therapy In HD
Speech-Language Therapy
Therapy Descriptions
Therapy Resources- Easter Seal
Therapy Resources
SECTION 8 - MEDICATIONS
HD Treatments
Medications-Movement Disorders
Medication/Emergency Info Forms
Cutting Prescriptions
Drugs-Look 'Em Up
-Adolescents Under 25
-Antidepressant Adverse Effects
-Anti-psychotic
-Anxiety-Antidepressant
A-Z Mental Health Drugs
-Creatine
-EPA~Fish Oil
-Haldol/Haloperidol - Clinical Sheet
-Haldol~Clinician Description
-Haldol & HD
-Haldol/HD Patient Experiences
-Haldol~ Patient Handout
-Mood Stabilizers: ASK 3 Questions
-Neuroleptic Malignant Synd WARNING
-Olanzipine-Risperidone/blood tests
-Celexa/Luvox/Paxil/Prozac/Zoloft
-Psychiatric Drugs & Children
Sertraline ~Zoloft
-Spasticity Meds/Treatments
-SSRI Medications
-Tardive Dyskinesia WARNING
-Weight Gain Medications
-Sites/Help the Medicine Go Down
-Vitamin & Mineral Deficiencies
SECTION 9 - SURGERIES
Surgery-Movement Disorders
o Surgery Resources
SECTION 10 - PROCEDURES
Clinic Visits-How To Prepare
CT Scans, MRI's etc.
Swallowing Tests
Tests Commonly Used
o Procedures Resources
SECTION 11- ALCOHOL/DRUGS
Alcohol-Parent's Guide
Alcohol-Talking To Your Child
Drugs-What To Do?
Drugs-Talking To Your Child
Disciplining-Ages 0-13 & Up
SECTION 12- SUICIDE
Straight Talk On Suicide
Teen Suicide-You Need To Know
o Suicide Resources
SECTION 13 - DIVORCE
Divorce & Child Stress
Tips For Divorcing Parents
SECTION 14 - DISABILITY ISSUES
Guides To Disability Issues
Caring-Child & Medical Technology
Caring for a Seriously Ill Child
Child Long Term Illness
Disability-Special Education Plan
IFSP Early Intervention Process
Disability Resources
Financial Planning
Wishes Can Come True-Children's Wish Foundations
Special Needs Resources
Special Needs Camp - About
Special Needs Camp - Finding One
SECTION 15 - ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Child Assistive Technology
Adaptive Equipment Resources
Products
SECTION 16 - EMOTIONAL ISSUES
Signs of Unhealthy Self-Esteem
Emotional Behavior Links
o Emotional Support Resources
SECTION 17 - GRIEF
Helping Child Deal With Death
o Grief Addtional Resources
SECTION 18 - ADD/ADHD
ADD & Teens
Conduct Disorders
FAQS & Related Info
Understanding AD/HD
What Is AD/HD?
Research Articles
Resources
SECTION 19 - HD SUPPORT GROUPS
HD Support Groups
National Youth Association
SECTION 20 - HD LINKS
HD Links
Related Resources
Tips For Friends
SECTION 21 - BENEFITS/INSURNACE
HD Disability
Benefits Check UP - See What You Can Get
Medical Insurance Bureau's Facts On You!
Medicare-Medicaid
Medicare Rights-Home Health & Hospice
Medicare Rights Center Resources
No Insurance? Try This!
Prescription Drug Cards Part I
Prescription Drug Cards Part II
Social Security-Children With Disabilities
SECTION 22 - ARTICLES/JHD
JHD and ADD
SECTION 23 - CAREGIVING
Articles-Resources
Caregiver Self-Assessment
Caregiver's Handbook
"First Shift With A Person With HD"
Getting Respite Care/Help At Home
Helpful Forms-Info
Home Emergency Preparations
Symptom Management
Ten Tips
Useful Tools
SECTION 24 - BIO
Our Personal Experience
Coping At The End
Kelly E. Miller
Song & Verse
Letter From My Heart
GUESTBOOK
CT Scans, MRI's etc.

INDEX Page

CT Scan (Computed Tomography)
CT scans obtain multiple cross-sectional images of the body by using special X-rays and computer enhancement, creating an image many times more sensitive than from a simple X-ray. Here's how it works. The body is X-rayed from many angles, and the X-rays are then analyzed by a computer. The computer takes the images and creates a picture of the body, which can be looked at on a monitor or printed out as a photograph. The images are a composite "slice" of the body, usually the head, chest, or abdomen. The bones are also sometimes scanned. CT scans also are called CAT scans.

How is a CT done?
The child lies flat on a movable table that is guided into the center of the CT scanner. The scanner looks like an oversized doughnut. The child remains still while the X-rays are beamed into the body, then detected and fed into a computer. If the child is unable to hold still, sedatives are administered. Sometimes a dye or other contrast material is used to show the blood vessels.

How long will it take to get results?
Results are interpreted by radiologists and then reported to your physician, who will need to analyze and interpret them for you.

Echocardiography
This procedure uses a special device to detect the sound that is reflected from a beating heart. Sometimes it's called "diagnostic cardiac ultrasound" because it uses reflected sound waves to "look" directly at your child's heart. This test can show if your child has ailments such as congenital heart defects, fluid around the heart, valve disorders, or weakened heart muscles.

The device uses an "echo" of the heart ("cardio") to produce an image of a graph ("gram"). And you can actually see the heart in action as the images are projected on a monitor. The direction of blood flow into and out of the heart can be seen in different colors on the monitor.

How is an echocardiogram done?
The child lies on his back, tilted slightly to the side. A special jelly is applied to the skin on the area of the heart, and a wand (the transducer) is positioned over the heart. Sound waves are generated and reflected back to the transducer, and an image becomes visible on a monitor. Printouts are then made from the screen. There is no radiation, and the child experiences no discomfort.

How long will it take to get results?
Images are collected instantly but must be interpreted by a doctor, usually a cardiologist. Results will be reported to your physician, who will interpret them for you.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Another way to take pictures of the inside of the body, MRI uses magnetism and radio waves. It also produces much more detailed images than X-rays because of its ability to separate different types of soft tissues.

MRI uses the magnetic properties of the nuclei of the atoms in the body. When radio waves are sent to a specific part of the body, the atoms emit their own radio waves, or energy. This energy is detected, and a computer translates the energy into images. MRI can be used to look at any area of the body, and is especially useful in diagnosing disease within the soft tissues of the head, spinal cord, kidneys, urinary tract, pancreas, and liver. MRIs are also the procedure of choice to detect sports injuries involving tendon and ligament damage.

How is an MRI done?
After removing any metal objects on the body, such as jewelry or a wrist watch, the child lies on a table that slides into a tunnel-like tube. Radio waves are directed at the body, triggering the body's atoms to create radio waves that are picked up by the MRI scanner at thousands of places around the body. The information is then used to create a composite "slice" that can be shown on a monitor and printed for further study. The process is painless but can be anxiety-producing due to the child's confinement during the procedure. Sedatives may be given if the child is unable to hold still or is especially nervous. It is very noisy inside the chamber, and ear plugs are usually given to help dampen the noise. Earphones are also available for children who would like to listen to tapes. The scan takes 30 to 60 minutes.

"Open MRI" scanners are available at some hospitals. These scanners do not involve a confining "tunnel" and are faster and less noisy, making them more ideal for children.

How long will it take to get results?
MRI results are interpreted by a radiologist and sent to your doctor, who will present them to you, usually in a day's time.

Radioisotope (Nuclear) Scan
A number of tests use very small quantities of radioactive materials, called radioisotopes, to image parts of the body. The radioisotope is attached to another substance that is injected, inhaled, or swallowed. Special devices then sense the positioning of the radioisotopes and make an image of them as they appear in your child's internal organs. It's almost like the reverse of an X-ray - instead of being directed onto the body, the radiation comes from inside it. Swallowing radioactive substances sounds dangerous, but the quantity and duration of radioactivity in these tests have been designed to be maximally safe for humans and should not have any harmful effects whatsoever.

Urinary Bladder Scan
This study is called a radionuclide voiding cystogram. It is used to detect reflux (back-flow) from the bladder to the kidney(s), which is abnormal and is associated with infection.

How is the scan done?
A small amount of radioisotope is added to a fluid, and the fluid is introduced into the bladder by a catheter. The bladder is filled, and then the patient voids. Images are obtained throughout the test to detect reflux.

How long will it take to get results?
The results will be reported to your doctor, who will present them to you.

Ultrasound (Sonography)
Ultrasound can examine many parts of your child's body. It uses high-frequency sound waves to "echo" off the body and create a picture of it. Some of the organs frequently examined by ultrasound are: the kidneys, the liver and spleen, the brain, the female pelvis, and the hips.

How is an ultrasound done?
A special jelly is applied to the skin on the area that is being investigated, and a wand (the transducer) is positioned over it.Sound waves are generated and reflected back to the transducer, and the image becomes visible on a monitor. Printouts are then made from the screen. The procedure is painless.

How long will it take to get results?
The images are created immediately, but they must be interpreted by a radiologist. Results will be reported to your physician, who will interpret them for you.

X-Ray (Radiography)
The first of the body imaging tests, X-rays were discovered by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895. They consist of electromagnetic radiation, like light, but have a shorter wavelength. They penetrate the body and form an image on film. 

Any part of the body can be X-rayed for information, and they are particularly useful in looking at injuries or changes in bones. Chest X-rays are commonly done as part of routine physicals in adults, and are useful in detecting the presence of pneumonia or other lung diseases and determining heart size.

Some tests use dyes or other materials (such as barium) that show up on X-rays to outline structures within the body. An "upper GI," for example, involves having the patient swallow one of these contrast materials, then taking X-rays to examine the progress of the material through the stomach and upper small intestine. The contrast material will give the radiologist an "inside look" at the shape of the gastrointestinal tract. 

A myelogram is an X-ray test of the spine; dye is injected into the spinal fluid to outline the spinal cord. An arthrogram is an X-ray of a joint, usually the knee or hip. A dye is injected into the joint to make the picture clearer and to enable detection of a tear in the cartilage or other joint abnormalities.

In fluoroscopy, a moving picture of the body is seen as the test is performed and is recorded on videotape or as still images. This technique can be used to evaluate the gastrointestinal tract, the respiratory system, and the bladder, among other things. Fluoroscopy and other specialized tests are performed by a radiologist with the assistance of a technologist.

An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) is a test that uses a contrast dye to outline the kidneys, ureters (the tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder), and bladder on an X-ray. The dye, which is given through a vein, helps the radiologist evaluate kidney function as well determine any abnormalities in the structure of the urinary system.

How is an X-ray done?
The child is positioned so that the X-ray machine can take a picture of the area being investigated. The procedure is painless. The test is usually performed by a technologist in the radiology department of the hospital, and results are interpreted by a radiologist.

How long will it take to get results?
The images are available in minutes, but they must be interpreted by a radiologist. Results will be sent to your doctor, who will present them to you.

Updated and reviewed by: Kim Rutherford, MD
Date reviewed: September 2001
Originally reviewed by:
Neil Izenberg, MD, and Frederick Meier,

Source:  KidsHealth www.KidsHealth.com is a project of The Nemours Foundation which is dedicated to improving the health and spirit of children. Today, as part of its continuing mission, the Foundation supports the operation of a number of renowned children's health facilities throughout the nation, including the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware, and the Nemours Children's Clinics throughout Florida. Visit The Nemours Foundation to find out more about them and its health facilities for children http://www.nemours.org/no/