Dercum's Disease
Dercum's disease is a rare disease in which you develop growths of fatty tissue called lipomas just under your skin. When these growths press against your nerves, the pain can very severe.
Common symptoms of Dercum's are weight gain that is unrelated to diet or exercise, strange accumulations of fat that have an abnormal consistency, feelings of extreme tiredness and pain to the touch in the affected areas. This disease occurs more often in women than in men.
There are no specific tests for diagnosing Dercum's disease. If you have symptoms, you should see your doctor or a pain specialist to help control your pain.
Recently Answered
- Q When should I see my doctor if I think I have Dercum's disease?
-
Dercum's disease can be distinguished by the appearance of several fatty lumps (lipomas) near the trunk of the body. Because lipomas can be severely painful, they can make movements such as walking, kneeling, or standing difficult. Talk to your doctor as... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q How will Dercum's disease affect the quality of my life?
-
Dercum's disease is considered a chronic condition and can have long-term impacts on your life both physically and mentally. Symptoms of Dercum's disease often become progressively worse with time and can become difficult to handle. A few long-term... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q Which activities can worsen my Dercum's disease symptoms?
-
The symptoms of Dercum's disease affect each person differently, so the best way to know what to avoid is to keep a detailed journal of the pain you experience when doing certain things. In general, people with Dercum's disease often report more severe... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q What is the duration of Dercum's disease?
-
Because little is known about what causes Dercum's disease, there is no known cure. The only treatment available or someone with Dercum's disease is a daily regimen of symptomatic treatment. This means that treatment is based on the occurrence of... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q Is Dercum's disease serious?
-
Because Dercum's disease is usually progressive, meaning that the symptoms will worsen with time, it can have very serious consequences if the symptoms are not treated or reduced. If the symptoms related to obesity such as muscle stiffness and joint pain... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q What are alternative treatments for someone with Dercum's disease?
-
Besides taking medication to relieve bodily pain, someone with Dercum's disease can have especially painful lipomas removed surgically or with liposuction. However, frequent surgeries can risk health complications, and less extreme methods of treatment... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q What are the side effects of surgery as a treatment of Dercum's disease?
-
Many people suffering from Dercum's disease choose to the remove painful fatty swellings (lipomas) surgically. This treatment method can be effective in relieving pain caused by the tissue damage lipomas create. However, multiple surgeries can increase... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q What are possible causes of Dercum's disease?
-
The exact origin of Dercum's disease is unknown, although some factors have been studied as possible causes. The majority of knowledge on the condition is about relief of individual symptoms and support groups to help people cope. This is because the... Full Answer
2 Answers
A
- Q Is Dercum's disease contagious?
-
Dercum's disease is not contagious and cannot be contracted by personal contact. Although the exact cause of Dercum's disease is unknown, researchers are exploring the option of heredity as a means of passing Dercum's disease. Some researchers have... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q How can I avoid tissue damage if I have Dercum's disease?
-
People with Dercum's disease often experience tissue damage due to the presence of the fatty bumps called lipomas on the body. The size of the lipomas can range from a grain of rice up to ten pounds in weight, which can stretch both surrounding skin and... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
