Many people are unaware of what Prader-Willi syndrome actually is, and many people have never even heard of it before. It is a genetic disorder that doesn’t affect many people today. The sufferer experiences low levels of sex hormones and a constant hunger among other things.
The cause of this particular genetic disorder comes from a problem with the hypothalamus, which is the part of the human brain that controls the bodies hunger.
There are other problems that can come from this disorder such as a constant need to eat to satisfy cravings which in the end leads to obesity and many other problems caused by weight issues.
Prada-Willi syndrome usually develops at conception, although there have been reported cases where the sufferer has developed the syndrome later on in life.
When the disorder is seen in infants it usually shows itself through poor muscle tone. It also affects their eating habits. Other affects of this syndrome can also be things such as developmental delays and learning difficulties.
Like autism, Prader-Willi syndrome is a spectrum disorder. This means that the levels of severity of the disorder will vary in accordance to the spectrum. Some people can be mildly affected whilst others are severely affected. Although this disorder is not rare, it is certainly not common.
The main worry among people with this disorder is that obesity is a huge risk due to the fact that they will never feel full, leading them to constantly eat.
The disorder can be very dangerous, and needs to be monitored very carefully to ensure that the sufferer stays healthy.
Matthew Hummel, who suffers from Prader Willi syndrome might be going to jail or be institutionalized after breaking in a neighbors house to obtain food.