What Is Prader-Willi Syndrome? [PWS]

As a national housing association that specialises in disability supported living, our knowledgeable team can help with housing people, whatever their background or disability. Today, our team of experts are discussing Prader-Willi syndrome, a type of rare genetic disorder. We’ll explain what it is, and how we can help.

What is Prader-Willi syndrome?

It’s a syndrome that can affect a person mentally and physically. Some of the symptoms include:

– Hyperphagia: Put in simple terms, it’s where a person doesn’t feel that ”full” feeling while eating, and may constantly crave food. It also means that controlling weight can be difficult, and can lead to cases of obesity.

– Hypogonadism: This is a condition that affects how much sex hormone is produced, and can lead to incomplete or delayed puberty, and often infertility, among other concerns.

– Underdevelopment: Growth hormones may be affected, leading to short height, low muscle mass and high body fat. Hypothyroidism (underproduction of thyroid hormone) can also be prevalent.

– Learning disabilities: Reasoning, problem-solving and thinking can be common, and speech can be affected.

– Mental health disorders: Anxiety, OCD, repetitive behaviours and others can develop.

– Sleep disorders: This might include things like sleep apnoea, which causes your breathing to stop during sleep.

What causes Prader-Willi syndrome?

 As a genetic disorder (and without getting too technical), Prader-Willi syndrome is caused by an ‘error’ in the genes. This can be cases where certain chromosomes are missing, or certain chromosomes are inherited which shouldn’t be. Whatever the case, the function of the brain’s hypothalamus – the region that controls hormone release – is affected. This then causes the symptoms we’ve outlined above, or more generally, affects areas like mood, sleep, growth and appetite.

How can Falcon help with Prader-Willi syndrome?

Not only are we great at what we do, but we’re great with people, too. We’ve helped people all over the country find disability supported living that works for them, and around their disabilities. It’s our belief that everyone should have the right to an independent life – whatever that looks like for them – and we do all we can to find the right housing and solutions for every person that enters our doors.

How do I get in touch?

If you’re interested in disability supported living, our team can help. Get in touch with us through our website