Mental health problems >>>> Prader-Willi syndrome is an eating disorder

Prader-Willi syndrome is an eating disorder.

Some types of eating disorder are not caused by acquired bad habits and psychological problems, but by well-founded congenital genetic disorders. Prader-Willi syndrome refers to such psychiatric eating disorders.

The disease, called Prader-Willi syndrome by the names of scientists who have been involved in research in the field of mental eating disorders, is referred to as genetic abnormalities that give newborn children (and then adults) similar appearance features due to decreased muscle tone, delayed development and growth of the skeleton (small feet and hands, short stature, curvature of bone structures), intellectual underdevelopment.

External similarity is manifested in the almond-shaped section of the eyes, in the high, narrowed frontal part of the face, in a large nose, often strabismus, and hypersensitive skin. Prader-Willi genetic eating disorder has specific external signs, according to which the specialist determines the presence of this syndrome even without genetic analysis (as in Down's syndrome).

Suffering from Prader-Willi syndrome is distinguished by excessive body weight, impaired coordination of movements, physical and mental retardation, speech disorders, low blood pressure.

There are special genetic tests that confirm the presence of this syndrome, but often not all doctors are familiar with the symptoms of this disease and are mistaken in the diagnosis.

Eating disorder in Prader-Willi syndrome manifests itself in early childhood, when the child begins to eat excessively, experiencing continuous hunger. Such children suffer from obesity, lethargy, sleep disorders.

Growing up, a person suffering from Prader-Willi syndrome cannot independently control his boundless desire to consume food, which can cause irreparable harm to his body, or even death. Such people are strictly controlled, not left unattended and limited in food, since they lack understanding and a sense of satiety.

Treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome consists in prophylactic injections of recombinant growth hormone aimed at increasing physical indicators of muscle and bone growth. An expected side effect is a decrease in appetite. This is a supportive therapy, since there are still no effective drugs for the cardinal treatment of Prader-Willi syndrome, and a number of drugs for possible treatment are under investigation.