Life with Dercum’s Disease

1. Life with Dercum’s Disease Dercum’s disease is a rare condition characterized by growth of multiple fatty tissues in the body, particularly the trunk, upper arms and thighs. The growth is often accompanied by pain that can be very severe. Although there is no known cause of dercum’s disease it is known to be associated with various conditions like hypertension, myxedema, arthritis, and congestive heart failure. Dercum’s disease may rarely also present near the neck and head. Sometimes it may also present with swelling that occurs for no reason and subsides on its own. The disease is found to be almost 20 times more common in women than in men. The symptoms Dercums disease usually presents with painful growth of fat on the trunk, upper arms and thighs. Individuals with dercum’s disease usually get severe pain when the fatty growth are touched or pressed. This pain can stay for long. It may be accompanied by bruising, stiffness, irritability, headaches, fatigue, and generalized weakness. What causes it? Dercum’s disease has no known cause but has been linked to many medical conditions. They occur for unknown reasons and subside with time. The most likely causes are endocrine dysfunction or an autoimmune condition. The disease may also be inherited from either parents if they are found to have the dominant gene. How is it treated? Dercum’s disease requires medical intervention in terms of pain management to control severe pain occurring with the fat growths. One of the treatments that have shown effective results is manual lymphatic drainage. Treatment related to surgical removal of the fat growth is also sought due to the proximity of the growths to nerves which is found to be the cause of severe pain. Supportive medication is also given to reduce associated symptoms. Visiting a professional can help you get the best dercums disease treatment in San Diego.