We often touch on common conditions such as diabetes or allergies, but in this post we wanted to delve into some of the lesser known and more mysterious medical conditions that exist. Awareness is necessary when it comes to all diseases, especially rare or misunderstood ones, as it promotes understanding and acceptance over ignorance. The first 4 conditions on our list are:

1. Elephantiasis 

   This parasitic disease is caused by the filarial worm, which is most often transmitted to humans by carrier mosquitoes. It causes the lymphatic system to become blocked, leading to immense swelling of the limbs and sometimes other parts of the body such as the genitals. The disease is sometimes accompanied by feelings of general malaise. Elephantiasis affects approximately 120 million people worldwide, but luckily there is a medication that can kill the worms which usually helps resolve the condition.

2. Musicogenic Epilepsy 

   A few unlucky people across the United States are afflicted by an unique epileptic condition whereby focal seizures are primarily triggered by playing or listening to music. Research suggests the music may induce a reaction from the mesial temporal and orbitofrontal areas of the brain, triggering seizures.

3. Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva 

   This debilitating genetic condition gradually deforms and disables the body by growing excess bone through the muscles, ligaments, tendons and other tissues, virtually encasing the body in a second skeleton. There is no known cure or treatment for this mystifying condition. Surgical attempts to fix the growths have made cases worse, as it was discovered that the trauma of surgery causes more bone growth in response. Luckily, it is a very rare condition with only 265 confirmed cases in the United States.

4. Brain-Eating Amoeba 

   Medically known as Naegleria fowleri, these microscopic amoebas are responsible for a handful of deaths each summer, most of which take place in the southern states. N. fowleri are found in untreated sources of warm freshwater such as lakes, rivers, untreated pools, puddles, ponds, hot springs, aquariums or untreated tap water. They enter through the nose and travel to the brain, causing a disease called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). Cases of PAM are rare but almost always fatal, with only 3 survivors out of more than 130 cases since the 1960’s.

That concludes our look at the first few rare and astounding medical conditions, keep an eye out for 4 more coming up next. Thanks for visiting DocChat, stay happy and healthy!