Werner syndrome, a rare disease that mimics premature aging

As you get older, your body's organs will age. Environmental factors and unhealthy lifestyles can also accelerate aging. However, there are genetic disorders whose symptoms appear to mimic premature aging. This condition is known as Werner's syndrome. What do you think of this syndrome?
Get to know Werner's syndrome, a rare disease

Aging is a natural process that occurs in the body. Starting from gray hair to decreased organ function. In fact, aging may be caused by a rare disease, not just because of age or exposure to free radicals.

There are genetic diseases that show symptoms such as premature aging. Yes, this disease is called Werner's syndrome (Werner's syndrome).

This disease makes a person experience the aging process quickly. This syndrome is the most common type of progeria.

Progeria or Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria syndrome (HGPS), can usually be detected in infants aged 10 months to 1 year. Meanwhile, Werner's syndrome will only cause symptoms after puberty.
What are the symptoms of Werner's syndrome?

Initially, children with this syndrome can develop like other normal children. However, after puberty, physical changes will occur very quickly.

According to the National Institute of Health, various common symptoms of Werner's syndrome are:

Small size
Gray hair and hoarse voice
The skin becomes thin and hard
His arms and legs are very thin
There is abnormal fat accumulation in several parts of the body
The nose becomes sharp like a bird's beak

In addition to physical changes, people with this syndrome will also experience health problems that generally affect the elderly, such as:

Cataracts with both eyes
Type 2 diabetes and skin ulcers
atherosclerosis
Bone loss (osteoporosis)
In some cases, it can cause cancer

People with Werner's syndrome can live on average until the late 40s or early 50s. In general, death is caused by atherosclerosis and cancer.
What causes Werner syndrome?
The main cause of Werner's syndrome is a genetic disorder due to a problematic WRN gene mutation. The WRN gene is a producer of Werner's protein whose job is to maintain and repair DNA.

In addition, proteins also facilitate DNA replication for cell division.

In people with this disorder, Werner's protein is shorter and its function is not normal, so it breaks faster than normal protein.

This results in problems and accumulation of damaged DNA, causing symptoms of faster aging and health problems.
How to treat Werner syndrome?
So far, there is no specific treatment that can cure Werner's syndrome. The current treatment is only a combination of treatments based on the specific symptoms experienced by the patient.

The doctor will work with specialists to treat the patient's condition, for example:

Orthopedist for the treatment of disorders of the skeleton, muscles, joints and body tissues.
Eye health specialist to treat cataracts
Endocrinologists help reduce diabetes symptoms
Heart health specialist to treat heart and blood vessel disorders

In addition to providing drugs, patients will also be advised to undergo treatment. This therapy helps patients improve their quality of life by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

In addition, patients will also undergo several surgical processes to remove cataracts or eliminate cancer cells.