Temporary blindness
Another rare disease was reported in Australian Natalie Adler, who lives in Melbourne. A young girl suffers from temporary blindness. It is expressed in the fact that the patient periodically cannot open her eyes due to severe spasms of the eye muscles. Interesting fact: the girl’s phenomenon is observed cyclically and repeats once every three days. Natalie says that the first time this happened to her was after she suffered severe sinusitis with complications of staphylococcal nature. Since doctors cannot yet help her heal, she plans all her affairs in such a way as to get everything most important done before the next spasm.
Pemphigus
Many people are aware of an unpleasant and painful skin disease called pemphigus. The most severe types are of autoimmune origin: in other words, human lymphocytes “attack” normal healthy cells. Parneoplastic pemphigus is the most dangerous of all such cases known to science. In this case, the patient’s immunity begins to “attack” the keranocyte cells. Keranocytes make up the majority of the skin. During a severe autoimmune reaction, voids appear in the layers of the skin. They quickly fill with liquid, as a result of which large and moist bubbles appear - often of enormous size. They are the “entry gate” for all infections that exist in the environment.
Parneoplastic pemphigus is severe, and about 90% of patients die soon due to sepsis (blood poisoning) or respiratory failure.
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Argyrosis
Doctors had to observe “blue skin syndrome,” or argyrosis, in at least two different parts of the globe. The first case was reported in a California resident, Paul Karason. His skin turned silvery blue when he turned 57 years old. The reason for the sudden change in the skin was the uncontrolled use of silver-based balm, which Paul made himself.
A similar phenomenon occurred in Russia. A resident of Kazan, Valery V., once simply dripped drops containing silver into his nose, as a result of which his hair sharply lightened and his skin became silver-blue.
How to prevent seasickness?
Below we list some useful recommendations for those who are planning a long trip by transport. When planning a trip, it is worth remembering that the larger the vehicle, the weaker the motion sickness. When purchasing tickets, try to choose places where shaking/rolling/vibration is less pronounced. On the plane: seats in the central part of the cabin, near the wing; on the bus: seats in the front in the direction of travel; on the train: initial and central cars; in a ship: upper and middle decks, closer to the stern. Try to avoid riding in the opposite direction of traffic, as this will cause motion sickness much more severe.
A horizontal position may provide some relief. If possible, look into the distance. The horizon line will be an “exact support” for our brain and will immediately become easier. Stock up in advance and use sour candies and chewing gum. Do not travel on an empty stomach and at the same time do not pass on the road, especially heavy fatty foods.
There is an assumption that frequent travel by transport leads to a decrease in the severity of symptoms of seasickness over time. It is believed that adaptation is one of the best treatment options. Adaptation to seasickness, as a rule, is very specific - sailors who are accustomed to voyages on huge tankers, going out to sea on a yacht, may again experience dizziness and nausea.
Fishy odor syndrome
Sometimes you can meet people who have an unpleasant smell of rotten fish. The disease is called “fishy odor syndrome” (scientifically, trimethylaminuria). This is a genetic pathology resulting from a mutation in the FMO3 gene. If the activity of a certain part of the gene is disrupted, the human liver cannot transform trimethylamines (substances with a pungent odor) into neutral oxides. There is a gradual accumulation of odorous substances in the patient’s body, and when there are too many of them, they come out through the skin and sweat. The patient often does not feel this smell, but for other people the “fishy spirit” becomes simply unbearable, and they try to stay away from the source of the stench.
Doctors still don’t know how to help such patients, because it is not yet possible to “fix” the defective gene. However, there are several recommendations that can at least partially alleviate the condition of these people. They are advised not to eat eggs, cabbage, soy and bean products. You should drink activated carbon tablets every day, and of course, take a bath or shower more often.
What to do if the attack has already begun?
If necessary, you can resort to the use of medications to prevent seasickness. Most often, blockers of H1 receptors and M-cholinergic receptors of the central nervous system are used (for example Dramamine).
Anticholinergics in the form of transdermal patches that contain scopolamine are also popular medications. The patch is used to install behind the ears before the start of the flight. If necessary, it should be changed every 72 hours.
Many drugs have side effects: thirst and dry mouth and nasopharynx, feeling tired, drowsiness, anxiety, as well as a number of contraindications for use. Therefore, be sure to consult a doctor, especially if you have chronic diseases or are pregnant.
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MANIFESTATIONS OF DEFICIENCY
The symptom complex includes lesions of all systems, but often with Addison's disease the earliest sign of the need for treatment is a change in the shade of the skin and its appendages (mucous membranes, nails). From the second name of the disease, it is obvious that there is a darkening of the skin (the color approaches bronze, often accompanied by vitiligo). This sign of Addison's disease can precede other disorders by years, namely:
- mental disorders (depression, irritability, tendency to mood swings);
- vestibular dysfunctions: nausea/vomiting, dizziness, appetite disturbances, dyspepsia, diarrhea (together can lead to the so-called Addison's adrenal crisis - a dangerous state of fainting);
- fatigue combined with persistent muscle weakness is a characteristic sign of the disease;
- with secondary Addison's disease (when the pathology not of the adrenal glands, but of the second “hormone factory” - the pituitary gland) led to treatment, disorientation, confusion, and panic attacks are often observed;
- hormone deficiency affects hemodynamic parameters (uneven blood pressure);
- A specific symptom of Addison's disease is an increased interest in salty foods (“thirst for salt”).
Often with Addison's disease, taste and olfactory reflexes become aggravated.
Pathological insomnia
It turns out that you can also die from insomnia if we are talking about a hereditary disease. Doctors registered one of the first cases in the late 70s of the last century. A doctor from Italy, Dr. Reuther, was trying to understand why two of his wife's relatives died from symptoms of extreme exhaustion. After conducting his own investigation, he found several more similar cases in the pedigree of women, which made him think about the hereditary nature of the disease. In 1984, another close relative of the doctor died from pathological insomnia.
Some time later, in the 90s, scientists officially established that the cause of such insomnia lies in the mutagenic processes of the 20th chromosome. As a result of complex and “wrong” protein reactions in the brain, a gradual accumulation of substances occurs, due to which a person cannot sleep. These substances are concentrated precisely in the parts of the brain responsible for sleep.
The duration of the disease can range from six months to several years. At first, the patient develops paranoid ideas and thoughts, and closer to death, reactions to stimuli coming from the outside world gradually fade away.
Diagnostics
Motion sickness is usually diagnosed based on a description of one of the attacks and a differential diagnosis to exclude other diseases, most of which are otorhinolaryngological or neurological, such as Meniere's disease, certain forms of migraine, or psychological causes. In addition, due to the complex pathophysiology of motion sickness, gastroenterological, infectious diseases and any possible orthopedic causes should also be included in the differential diagnosis. In addition, visual or cardiovascular disorders such as hypotension or hypoglycemia may also cause symptoms similar to motion sickness.
Insensitivity to pain
Another rare genetic disease, which results in absolute or partial insensitivity to pain, has been reported in several hundred people around the globe. As a rule, the pathology first manifests itself in children under two years of age. In some patients, the phenomenon may disappear or be reduced as they grow older, but there are cases when the symptoms are completely preserved in adults.
The most famous case of congenital analgia is described in the Pete brothers from the USA. Since childhood, they have not felt pain, which was associated with constant dangers that arise during injuries. With fractures and illnesses, children did not feel the signals coming from the body, because they simply were not there. Steve says that living with such a diagnosis is very difficult and dangerous, because it is often not possible to recognize and treat a dangerous disease in time: it develops, progresses, but there is no pain. Steve's brother, unfortunately, could not withstand the hardships of such an existence. When doctors told him that he would soon not be able to walk, he committed suicide.
