Knowledge is an endless vessel. Just when you think you know everything, you realise you don’t. There are a lot of things to know in this world that can be interesting as well as absurd at the same time. Perhaps we have been a little too vague here, so let’s be a bit more specific.
When it comes to diseases and medical conditions, you may have heard about malaria, dengue, heart attacks, stroke, polio, vitiligo, and a lot more diseases. But did you know there’s a medical condition that can make people believe they’re dead? And another where your body produces its very own alcohol?
Yes, you stop rubbing your eyes in disbelief but it is true. The world is a strange place, and in this strange place, exist some diseases and medical conditions that are so absurd that you would doubt their existence.
We just gave you a sneak peek of the two of these conditions, but let’s dig deeper into them and learn more about many more absurd diseases.
So, sit back and prepare to be astonished.
Walking corpse syndrome
Tell us if this name didn’t catch your attention. This syndrome is a neurological disorder that currently affects 200 people around the world. A person having this syndrome either believes they are dead or is missing parts of the body. The syndrome is treatable but the symptoms can be extreme.
The symptoms may include isolation, hearing voices that tell you are dead, refusal to eat and severe depression. There are no apparent causes of the disease. More research is needed. However, it is assumed that it can be linked to memory disorders such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, stroke or Parkinson’s disease.
Insensitivity to pain
Do you ever wish you could not feel pain at all? Probably when you are injured or when you are having your period. Turns out, there are people who are immune to the sensation of pain. It is a congenital disease which is present right from birth. The condition inhibits the ability to perceive or feel physical pain. The condition is caused by mutations in specific genes. These genes are specifically in an autosomal recessive pattern, which is two inherited gene mutations, contributed by each parent.
A person suffering from this gene may not feel a hot beverage burning their tongue or any other pain sensation. Unfortunately, this condition is still being researched, and there is no cure for it.
Foreign accent syndrome
Do you sometimes wish you could speak in a British accent? If yes, you may find it interesting that there’s a syndrome that can alter your accent all of a sudden. It is usually a sign of damage to a specific section of the brain that is linked to speech and language. The causes of this syndrome can be trauma, stroke, tumours and some other neurological medical disorders.
Auto-brewery syndrome
How would you react if we tell you that there’s a disorder that makes your body produce alcohol from carbohydrates? Yes, you read it right. This condition is called auto-brewery syndrome wherein the fungi present in the gut turn carbohydrates into alcohol. This happens due to the growth of certain types of fungus in the body.
People suffering from auto-brewery syndrome may have high blood alcohol levels after consuming a small quantity of alcohol or no alcohol at all. The psychological and physical effects of this disease are similar to how you feel when you have a hangover.
Stoneman syndrome
Yet another rare and absurd disease wherein the body’s connective tissues gradually convert into bones. The condition affects 1 in 2 million people. It is caused by a gene mutation. The condition generally begins from the shoulders and neck, ultimately reaching the leg. In this, sometimes a second bone can grow over the first one, the process is called heterotopic ossification (HO).
Although there are treatments available, surgical methods may trigger excessive bone growth. A person having this syndrome can also lose mobility after a minor accident, as the bone growth is stimulated.
Closing thoughts
While these conditions may seem bizarre and extraordinary, they affect real people who deserve our empathy and support. By shining a spotlight on these illnesses, we can inspire researchers, healthcare professionals, and communities to come together, explore innovative solutions, and provide much-needed resources to improve the lives of those affected. Let us continue to champion the cause of these extraordinary individuals, ensuring that no disease, no matter how rare or absurd, remains in the shadows of neglect and indifference.
