The human being is an extremely complex creature. Diseases, for example, are a part of all our lives, and we are obliged to live with them and understand them deeply so we know how to treat and cure them. Especially when it comes to women’s bodies, there are certain conditions that we can’t even imagine really exist. These are diseases that many people may live their entire lives without knowing about, but there is still a chance of encountering them throughout life. This is the case with rare diseases like Dunnigan syndrome, unknown to most people, but it does exist, and that is exactly why we need to talk about it.
What is Dunnigan Syndrome?
Dunnigan syndrome, also called type 2 partial lipodystrophy, is an extremely rare genetic disease that affects only women. It is caused by a mutation in the Lamin A gene (LMNA), which is responsible, among other functions, for encoding proteins in our body. Its main characteristic is the loss of fat in the hypodermis (or subcutaneous layer of the skin) and the accumulation of fat in other parts of the body, such as the face, for example. Women who have Dunnigan syndrome usually present with insulin resistance, which can lead to a series of other complications in their bodies. Signs that a woman has Dunnigan syndrome typically appear along with the signs of puberty, and the earlier the diagnosis is made, the greater the chances for the treatment to be effective.
Symptoms of Dunnigan Syndrome
As with many genetic diseases, there are several external aspects that make a person with Dunnigan syndrome easily recognizable. In addition, there are also the symptoms that this condition causes. These are:
- Loss of fat in several regions of the body, mainly the buttocks;
- Accumulation of fat in areas such as the chin, labia majora, and parts of the abdominal region;
- Insulin resistance;
- Muscle hypertrophy;
- Irregular menstrual cycle;
- Hyperandrogenism
How Is the Diagnosis Made?
A doctor can suspect Dunnigan syndrome just by observing the patient’s body, even though certain tests can be ordered to confirm the diagnosis. As we have already mentioned, the disease begins to manifest itself together with puberty in women, so it is important to get a diagnosis as soon as the first suspicions arise. This way, it is easier for the doctor to suggest treatments that can help the woman throughout her life.
Treatments for Dunnigan Syndrome
Like any other genetic disease, there is no cure for Dunnigan Syndrome, although there are ways to directly address its symptoms and prevent possible complications. That’s what the treatment for Dunnigan syndrome focuses on. Most of these treatments focus on medications to prevent new diseases from developing, such as thiazolidinediones, for example. But there are also treatments aimed at reducing the damage caused by Dunnigan syndrome, such as liposuction.
Liposuction
Liposuction is an alternative treatment in cases where there is excessive accumulation of fat. It is not an easy or cheap treatment and it will not offer a definitive solution to the problem, but it can lessen the effects of excess fat located in certain areas of the body. This is beneficial not only physically for the woman, but also for her mental health, as the social difficulties imposed by this condition are also an issue.
Complications of Dunnigan Syndrome
The changes the disease causes in fat accumulation in the body lead not only to external symptoms but are also related to several problems the affected woman’s body might develop. When there is no appropriate treatment for the disease, many complications can arise, including:
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Pancreatitis
- Hypertension
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Myocarditis
How to Live With Dunnigan Syndrome?
It is very common for people to view what is different with a certain air of suspicion, which tends to intensify during pre-adolescence or adolescence. For a girl who has Dunnigan syndrome, living with others can be very difficult, which can end up causing various psychological problems, such as antisocial behavior and even depression in many cases. Even though it is a rare disease, it is necessary to know how to deal with this kind of situation, because you never know when it might happen to you. That’s why there are some steps you should take to cope with this situation. The first thing to do is to accept reality as it is. Unfortunately, this condition exists and you are in a world where other people have different characteristics from yours. Family and friends support at this time is essential to help the person feel good, feel part of the world, and have reasons to smile. These are the people who can make a difference so these social problems do not turn into even greater difficulties and disorders. Of course, this is a process that takes time to work on, but it is necessary so that the girl with Dunnigan syndrome can have a happy life. Rare diseases are difficult to deal with, especially when factors beyond physical health are involved. The social problems that diseases causing changes to appearance bring also lead to psychological problems and, consequently, bring diseases that can be dangerous, such as depression. Learning to live with Dunnigan syndrome requires not only a lot of effort from the woman, but also from her family members and those close to her who need to be present and make her world as pleasant as possible. It’s not an easy task for anyone, but it’s necessary for everyone to work together to improve the life of someone with this condition. See Also: Turner Syndrome – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Photo: PublicDomainPictures
