The old saying “health is wealth” is timeless as it rings true in every era. In the modern world, medical issues are on the constant rise, and different diseases are emerging. The contemporary lifestyle is vastly different from previous years as now people have become dependent on technology for mundane activities. They prefer to perform regular tasks like shopping, communicating, and other activities without stepping out of their homes. The modern style of living has paved the way for many rare health conditions. Likewise, the healthcare sector continues to expand and bring forward different ways of diagnosing and treating emerging medical issues.
Doctors find themselves at a loss while dealing with a rare health condition. Often, they have not come across a similar situation before. Hence, a health issue goes undiagnosed for several years, and patients have to suffer for an extended period. Doctors make them run numerous scans, undergo several diagnostic processes, yet they cannot pinpoint the exact issue. Thus, they even fail in prescribing medication. People with rare health conditions generally feel isolated as their challenges are unique.
Medical science has progressed by leaps and bounds in the past few years and diagnosed numerous unusual health issues. Below we are giving an insight into some rare health conditions, their causes, and preventive measures:
1. Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancer type, which is quite rare, and oncologists can help treat this cancer, but it is not curable. It is a type of cancer of the mesothelium, a membrane that lines the inner part of the body cavities. Most of the time, mesothelioma originates from the chest cavity, and in some cases, it begins from the abdominal cavity. Many people often question what causes this condition? And unfortunately, working closely with asbestos is the main factor of this disease. Asbestos is a natural group of minerals with microscopic fibers which often get released in the air, and people can inhale them. Asbestos is an integral part of the construction and automobile industry. Workers need to ensure vigilance and follow occupational health and safety regulations while working with asbestos. Experts strongly urge to avoid using old asbestos insulation products as they release dust which can be harmful to workers.
2. Moyamoya
The rare blood vessel disorder, Moyamoya, generally occurs more in children between 5 to 10 years of age than in adults ranging from 30 to 50 years. In Moyamoya, the carotid artery in the skull gets blocked or narrowed, reducing the blood flow to the brain. Frequent headaches, seizures, visual disturbance, involuntary movements, and cognitive and developmental delays are a few symptoms of moyamoya. Sometimes the condition causes a ministroke, which affects brain functioning. Having a family member with this rare health condition raises your chances of suffering from the same disease up to 40 %.
3. Adie Syndrome
Adie Syndrome, also known as Holmes-Adie Syndrome (HAS), is a neurological disorder that affects the autonomic nervous system, impacting the eye’s pupil. It is a rare medical condition, and 5 in 100,000 people suffer from it. Generally, Adie syndrome leads to the change in the dilation of one of the pupils. The eye pupil gets smaller or larger in specific lights. The medical condition requires regular treatment, but it is not life-threatening. In many cases, Adie syndrome is idiopathic, which means doctors cannot determine the cause. Thus, they cannot prescribe any preventive measures.
4. Methemoglobinemia
It is a blood disorder in which an unnatural amount of methemoglobin is produced in the body. Hemoglobin is a protein that develops in red blood cells to carry oxygen to cells throughout the body. Methemoglobin is a specific type of hemoglobin with oxygen through blood but does not release it to cells. When your body produces too much methemoglobin, it starts replacing normal hemoglobin. Some symptoms of methemoglobinemia include shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, loss of consciousness, and shortness of breath. There is no way of preventing genetic methemoglobinemia. Excess use of products containing benzocaine can lead to other types of this disorder. Contaminated water, mainly containing Nitrates, is another cause of methemoglobinemia.
5. Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is an unusual genetic disorder that affects the digestive and respiratory systems. It causes mucus to develop and damages organs, specifically the lungs and pancreas. Persistent coughing, salty-tasty skin, rapid weight loss, and difficulty with bowel movements are symptoms of cystic fibrosis. Since cystic fibrosis is genetic, people cannot prevent it. Still, genetic testing of couples can determine children’s risk of cystic fibrosis. Today, with advanced technology and discoveries, doctors have improved treatment procedures for cystic fibrosis. People suffering from this rare health condition can now live into their 50s or beyond.
Conclusion
Rare health issues are challenging to deal with as healthcare workers can often not identify the root cause. They use their academic knowledge and technical means, consult their seniors for suggestions and develop a treatment plan. Conducting research, using advanced technology, and having opinions from other professionals of the same field help develop diagnostic methods and treat rare diseases. Health experts suggest following a healthy diet, taking appropriate rest, and incorporating exercise to prevent medical issues. If medical problems are diagnosed in the preliminary stages, many deadly diseases are curable. Doctors emphasize keeping an eye on one’s health condition and going for frequent checkups.