David – a boy from Singapore, has been diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome (a disorder characterized by insatiable hunger), which makes him feel hungry no matter how much he eats.
Imagine filling your stomach with countless nutritious foods and never truly experiencing the feeling of fullness. This is the reality that David Soo, a boy from Singapore, faces every day of his life.
David Soo suffers from a rare complex disorder known as Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), along with other severe symptoms, causing individuals to feel hungry at all times regardless of their food intake.
The condition is caused by the dysfunction of genes in a specific region of chromosome 15, and it is incurable.
If left unsupervised, individuals with this peculiar condition can endanger themselves. (Illustrative image).
Living with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is incredibly challenging, especially for caregivers. Due to the overwhelming appetite, special measures must be taken to ensure that patients maintain a proper diet.
Obesity is one of the primary dangers associated with managing PWS, but it is not the only concern.
Medical literature has documented numerous cases of individuals with PWS developing intestinal perforations or tears due to their abnormal food intake, and even gastric tissue necrosis. Other complications include severe bloating and reduced gastric emptying capability.
If not monitored, individuals with this unusual condition can put themselves at risk by consuming toxic foods such as spoiled items or garbage, which can harm their stomachs.
Affected children may also exhibit abnormal behaviors related to food, including hoarding or scavenging for food, stealing food, or even stealing money to buy food.
In David Soo’s case, his family has done everything possible to control his weight, even going so far as to lock the kitchen to prevent him from overeating.
They have also established a very specific eating schedule, so the boy knows exactly when it is time to eat or when he can have a snack.
The good news is that if David’s weight is managed, his life expectancy and quality of life can be comparable to that of a typical person.
The challenge is that he will have to face the reality of needing to eat continuously for the rest of his life, and perhaps David Soo will not always have a family to care for him, so he will need to learn self-control.
Although there is currently no cure for Prader-Willi Syndrome, therapies can help alleviate symptoms by focusing on hormonal deficiencies and developmental issues related to this rare condition.
