Dercum disease
Dercum Disease
Dercum Disease (pronounced: DER-kum), also known as Adiposis Dolorosa or Fat Tissue Rheumatism, is a rare condition characterized by multiple, painful fatty tumors (lipomas) that primarily occur in adults.
Etymology
The disease is named after Francis Xavier Dercum, an American neurologist who first reported the condition in the late 19th century. The term "Adiposis Dolorosa" is derived from Latin, with "adiposis" meaning "fat" and "dolorosa" meaning "painful".
Symptoms
The main symptoms of Dercum Disease include:
- Painful lipomas
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Joint and muscle pain
- Mental disturbances such as depression and confusion
Causes
The exact cause of Dercum Disease is unknown. However, it is believed to be related to a dysfunction in the body's fat tissue. Some researchers suggest it may be an autoimmune disorder, while others believe it may be related to a genetic predisposition.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of Dercum Disease is based on the presence of multiple painful lipomas, along with other symptoms such as fatigue and mental disturbances. There are no specific tests for the disease, and diagnosis is often made by ruling out other conditions.
Treatment
There is no cure for Dercum Disease, and treatment is focused on managing symptoms. This may include pain management, surgical removal of painful lipomas, and lifestyle changes such as weight management and exercise.
Prognosis
The prognosis for individuals with Dercum Disease varies. While the disease is not life-threatening, it can significantly impact quality of life due to chronic pain and other symptoms.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Dercum disease
- Wikipedia's article - Dercum disease
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski