Dercum's Disease Essay

Dercum disease, which is also known as Adiposis Dolorosa, Anders’ syndrome and Dercum-Vitaut syndrome is an extremely rare disorder characterized by multiple, painful growths consisting of fatty tissue. These growths typically occur on the trunk of the upper arms and upper legs and are found just below the skin. People with Dercum disease generally experience pain, swelling, weight gain, high blood pressure, and headaches. The cause of this disorder is unknown due to the fact that it appears in bodies for no apparent reason, however, some reports suggest that Dercum disease may be an autoimmune disorder, a disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Several reports also cite that Dercum’s disease could possibly be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait since the disorder has been seen to run through families. …show more content…
Dercum’s disease is more common in women than men by twenty percent. This disease can affect individuals of any age, typically women between the ages of 45-60, especially those who are overweight. It’s rare that it would occur in children, and because it is underdiagnosed, it is difficult to determine its true frequency within the population. A diagnosis of this disorder is determined based on a detailed patient history, a thorough clinical evaluation and identification of characteristic multiple fatty growths. There is no specific treatment for Dercum’s disease, any cure is directed towards the specific symptoms that are apparent in each individual. Various painkillers can be prescribed to help deal with the pain, surgery can occur to remove some of the growth to relieve pain, and psychotherapy may also help with coping with the long-term pain of this