Shock At What Woman Is Diagnosed With At 35: 'Should Have Known'
A woman has left the internet speechless after revealing the diagnosis she received at age 35 but now she realizes it could explain many underlying issues she's experienced throughout her life.
Jodi Powell of Atlanta, Georgia, was visiting the doctor's office to discuss some joint pain she'd been experiencing, and she wondered if her weight or height was contributing to it. Standing at 4 feet, 6 inches, Powell was used to being the shortest in a group, but when the doctor took her measurements, he astounded her with an unexpected revelation.
After the measurements of her body and limbs were recorded, Powell told Newsweek that she "was in shock" when he diagnosed her with dwarfism. She explained that her height has always been a running joke among friends and family, but she never thought she actually had a form of dwarfism.
What Is Dwarfism?
Dwarfism is defined as an adult height of 4 feet, 10 inches or less. Cases are split into disproportionate dwarfism in which parts of the body are small while others are average size, or proportionate dwarfism, meaning all parts of the body are small to the same degree. While every case will vary, the Mayo Clinic highlights that common symptoms include short arms and legs, short fingers, limited elbow mobility, short trunk, development of bowed legs, and potential vision and hearing problems. Little People of America, a non-profit organization, suggests there's about 65,000 people in the U.S. with dwarfism, with 400 children born with the condition each year. Notably, some prefer the terms short stature or little people, so it's important to be sensitive to each preference. Dwarfism is usually discovered at an early age, but obesity medicine physician Dr. Jennie Stanford told Newsweek that it's not uncommon for it to be discovered later in life. Receiving a diagnosis in adulthood could be the result of variability in symptoms or having a milder severity. "More severe cases of dwarfism are much more likely to be diagnosed in childhood, specifically related to delayed growth," said Dr. Stanford, a medical contributor for Drugwatch. "Many of these cases of dwarfism are not proportional, which can be easier to recognize." Another important factor is "genetic perception," as Dr. Stanford said many people just assume being short runs in the family and that it's nothing out of the ordinary. "Some people will think that short stature is noted in the family, so that's likely what it is," she said. "This is true in many cases. However, proportionate dwarfism may also present this way."
