Rare and Strange Diseases

Even though science has made many helpful discoveries in the field of medicine, there are still many rare and strange diseases that doctors do not know the cause of, and cannot treat satisfactorily. One such disease is Human Werewolf Syndrome, also known as Hypertrichosis. This disease is so rare that there have only been 50 known cases since the Middle Ages. People with this disease have excess hair growing in areas where it normally shouldn't grow. Even ears and eyelids can sprout long curls. (In its worst form, people resemble Star Wars Wookies.) Perhaps you have seen the two brothers from Mexico, Danny and Larry Ramos Gomez, that have thick animal-like hair growing on their faces. They perform amazing stunts in a circus now, but when they were younger, they were in a freak show, gawked at by spectators who called them "wolf children." They would sit in chairs inside a cage. Feeling compassion, the son of a circus owner talked his dad into hiring them, and then teaching them skilled circus acts. They started as magicians, then learned the trampoline, and finally went on to become trapeze artists.

Geneticist Dr. Luis Figuera, has studied this condition for 20 years. He has traced the problem in the Gomez family back five generations. It has affected about 20 men and women in the family. Hypertrichosis is a congenital, genetic abnormality.

Another bizarre illness is called Morgellons Disease. It is a horrifying malady affecting more than 3,000 families nationwide. There have been reports of the strange illness in every state in the U. S., and 15 countries worldwide. Most reported cases are in California, Florida, and Texas. It is described as a skin disorder comprised of horrible sores, and the feeling of crawling sensations on and under the skin, often compared to bugs. The strangest thing about the disease is the presence of fibers that appear to be coming from the lesions. These can appear white, blue, green, red or black. Some doctors have tried to call the disease psychosomatic, but that explanation won't fly with former Oakland A's pitcher, Billy Koch. He, his wife, and his 3 children all have it. Saving 44 games, he was the top reliever in the major leagues. In addition to the previously described symptoms, he also experienced uncontrollable muscle twitching, that would keep him awake all night, eventually requiring him to give up baseball. Called crazy, this family was finally given a powerful anti-parasitic drug, along with antibiotics, which provided temporary relief, but then the symptoms came back. Laboratories are unable to identify the filaments.

Oklahoma State Professor Randy Wymore, said this is the biggest mystery that he's ever been involved in, as a scientist. A trained physiologist, he is leading a team at the university to gain insight on this tormenting illness. Wymore reported that his tests rule out textile fibers, worms, insects, and even skin and hair. He is absolutely sure that the filaments are not derived from the external environment. He believes that the fibers come from inside the body, and may be the sign of something infectious. Skin problems may be the least of a victim's worries, as the neurological effects are very troubling, and may be the result of a microorganism or neurotoxin that affects muscle control and memory. Hopefully further research will explain what patients are dealing with.

Pica is another unusual disorder characterized by an appetite for non-nutritive substances such as chalk, cigarette ash, glue, dirt, paper, and painted plaster. It can also include an abnormal appetite for certain food items such as starch, flour, ice, raw potatoes, etc. There is a very strong association between pica and iron deficiency anemia. On a personal note, a couple of years ago, I started craving ice (something I normally never ate.) I discovered later, that my hemoglobin was at such a low level, that I would need a blood transfusion if it dropped any lower. It was related to excessive blood loss as a symptom of premenopause. The craving stopped immediately when my iron level returned to normal.

Progeria is another startling extremely rare genetic childhood disease, which involves shocking premature aging. It affects approximately one in 8 million newborns worldwide. At first, the babies seem normal, but then their growth rate is stunted, and they begin to develop characteristics, such as baldness, old looking skin, and a large head with small facial features. Most disturbing, they begin to have diseases associated with old age, including joint stiffness, severe cardiovascular disease, and hip dislocations. There is no treatment or cure, though some children have resorted to coronary artery bypass surgery to deal with complications of atherosclerosis. On average, death occurs early in life, generally around 13, and most often results from heart attack or stroke.

Now here's a really weird one. It's called Dr. Strangelove Syndrome (also known as Alien Hand Syndrome), and it involves losing control of one hand, which can be waving or unbuttoning a shirt, while the person is trying to do something else. In Stanley Kubrick's film, Dr, Strangelove, Peter Sellers' mechanical hand alternated between hitting himself, and saluting. Even though victims of this syndrome say the hand still has sensations, they also report that it seems to "have a mind of its own." (It is suggested that a person should keep it away from their throat. No kidding!)

Riley-Day Syndrome is the condition of feeling no pain. Sounds great on the surface, but it is actually quite dangerous. The victims of this disease don't feel burns, or cuts, or bruises. They also don't feel when they're holding their breath, which can cause them to pass out. These patients generally die young, about half of them before 30, due to injuries.

Finally, there's Proteus Syndrome, named after the Greek god famous for changing his shape. The most well known victim of this disease was Joseph Merrick, better known as "The Elephant Man." Since it was first identified in 1979, there have been just over a 100 cases. The condition causes abnormal bone development and horrible, disfiguring tumors.

Modern medicine has come so far in diagnosing and curing disease, but there is still a lot to learn.

Sources: http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/Story?id=2258069&page=1
http://www.ratewall.com/cnt/view_group.aspx?cgi=343
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgellons
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/morgellons-disease/SN00043
http://www.ktvu.com/news/9264350/detail.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pica_(disorder)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progeria#Symptoms
http://www.smh.com.au/news/health-and-fitness/my-brother-is-an-alien/2006/02/08/1139379562020.html?page=fullpage