WEIRD AND UNKNOWN DISEASES

By Mitansh Nayak Mitansh Nayak

1. Werewolf Syndrome (Hypertrichosis) - A colloquial term for a rare medical condition called hypertrichosis. This condition is characterized by excessive hair growth in areas of the body where hair is not typically present or is minimal. Hypertrichosis can occur in both males and females and may affect a small area or the entire body.

2. Beriberi - Beriberi is a disease caused by a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, affecting the nervous or cardiovascular systems. Dry beriberi causes muscle weakness and nerve damage, while wet beriberi leads to heart problems and swelling. It is often linked to poor diet, particularly in regions where refined rice is a staple. Treatment involves thiamine supplements and dietary improvements.

3. Alien Hand Syndrome - A neurological disorder where one hand acts on its own, seemingly without the person's control. It can perform actions like grabbing objects or touching the face without the person intending to do so. Often caused by brain injuries, strokes, or surgeries that separate the two hemispheres of the brain. The person often feels as if the hand belongs to someone else, hence the "alien" name.

4. Tree Man Syndrome (Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis) - A rare genetic condition that causes the skin to grow tree-like warts or bark-like lesions, especially on the hands and feet. A mutation that makes people highly susceptible to certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV).

5. Walking Corpse Syndrome (Cotard’s Delusion) - A rare psychological condition where individuals believe they are dead, do not exist, or have lost their organs or blood. Linked to mental health conditions like severe depression or psychosis. Some patients have asked to be taken to morgues because they are convinced they’re corpses.

6. Blue Skin Disorder (Methemoglobinemia) - A condition where the blood has reduced ability to carry oxygen, turning the skin a bluish color. Genetic or caused by exposure to certain chemicals or drugs.