All articles tagged with #rare condition
A 35-year-old woman with ectopic breast tissue in her armpits experiences milk production during pregnancy, a rare condition that is generally benign but requires monitoring due to potential cancer risk.
Retired grandfather Ed Langevin suffered from a rare form of mesenteric ischemia, which restricted blood flow to his intestines, causing severe pain and weight loss. After minimally invasive surgery to place a stent, he recovered well and regained his health, highlighting the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare.
A 52-year-old woman experienced rare visual hallucinations of people as dragons due to brain lesions affecting face perception, diagnosed with prosopometamorphopsia, and her symptoms improved with medication.
Patrick Frepan, a healthy 42-year-old teacher and dad, was suddenly struck by a mysterious illness that caused numbness, vision loss, and difficulty walking and talking. After months of deteriorating health and numerous tests, he was diagnosed with Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis, an extremely rare autoimmune disease. Treatment with rituximab led to a remarkable recovery, allowing him to return to work and coaching wrestling, although he still deals with nerve pain and ongoing therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder.
A new study published in The Lancet illustrates the rare condition known as prosopometamorphopsia (PMO), which causes people's faces to appear distorted or demonic to those affected. Victor Sharrah, diagnosed with PMO, described the terrifying experience of seeing demonic faces around him. The condition, suspected to be caused by dysfunction in the brain's facial processing, has fewer than 100 published case reports, and its triggers remain unknown.
Victor Sharrah, 59, suffers from prosopometamorphopsia (PMO), a rare condition causing distorted faces, which can lead to misdiagnosis and institutionalization. With only 81 cases in published literature, PMO can be triggered by brain injury, tumor, infection, or seizures. Sharrah's collaboration with researchers at Dartmouth has led to promising interventions, such as colored lenses and symmetrical face images, to alleviate symptoms. His experience highlights the need for awareness and accurate diagnosis of this little-known syndrome.
Victor Sharrah was diagnosed with prosopometamorphopsia (PMO), a rare neurological disorder causing faces to appear distorted, after experiencing demonic facial distortions following carbon monoxide poisoning and a head injury. Researchers at Dartmouth College created digital representations of his visual experiences, shedding light on the condition. PMO symptoms often resolve but can persist for years, and may be underreported and misdiagnosed as mental health disorders. Sharrah copes with the condition by wearing green-tinted glasses and aims to raise awareness to prevent others from unnecessary institutionalization and medication.
A new study published in The Lancet presents computer-generated images of the facial distortions experienced by a 58-year-old male with prosopometamorphopsia (PMO), a rare condition causing facial features to appear distorted. Unlike most PMO cases, the patient sees distorted faces only in-person, not on screens or paper. The research aims to increase awareness of PMO and its misdiagnosis as psychiatric disorders, highlighting the need for better understanding and support for individuals with this visual perception condition.
A Texas woman, Alicia Hallock, suffered severe complications after receiving Botox injections for migraines, leaving her partially paralyzed and unable to swallow, with doctors concerned about potential botulism. After 18 days in the hospital, she was released but continues to recover. Hallock, who has chronic illnesses, is an uncommon case, prompting a hospital case study. Dermatologists emphasize that Botox is generally safe and effective when administered correctly.
Loren Montefusco, a 22-year-old from South Carolina, suffers from aquagenic urticaria, an extremely rare allergy to water that causes her to experience burning itch deep under her skin whenever she comes into contact with water. This condition, reported less than 100 times worldwide, forces her to avoid showering and bathing as much as possible, and she even "claws" at her skin to distract from the unbearable itchiness. Little is known about the rare condition, and treatments include antihistamines, UV light treatments, steroids, and bathing in sodium bicarbonate.
A 22-year-old woman from South Carolina suffers from aquagenic urticaria, a rare water allergy that causes intense itching and rash upon contact with water, including her own sweat. There is no cure for the condition, so she avoids bathing as much as possible and showers quickly when necessary. Even being in the ocean, hot tubs, pools, or her own sweat can trigger the allergic reaction. She has found support in a social media group of others with the same condition, which has helped her feel less isolated.
Julie Silverman suffered from a rare condition that went undiagnosed for years, causing her to develop a severe cough. Despite being dismissed by numerous doctors, a nurse practitioner named Alison noticed the severity of Silverman's condition and insisted on further examination, leading to the discovery of a 75% blockage in her airway. This diagnosis allowed Silverman to receive proper treatment and regain her health, prompting her to consider Alison her unsung hero.
A couple's joy turned to shock when their baby, Wrenley Ice, was born without eyes due to a rare genetic disorder called haploinsufficiency of PRR12. The condition, affecting less than 30 people worldwide, also impacts Wrenley's development. The parents, Taylor and Robert Ice, are determined to support their daughter and have opened up about her condition. Wrenley will require surgery to unfuse her eyelids and will eventually receive glass eyes. Despite the challenges, the family remains hopeful and grateful for their daughter.
A baby girl in Missouri was born without eyes due to a rare genetic condition affecting less than 30 people worldwide. The condition, anopthalmia, means she was born without eye tissue or optic nerves, and also without cortisol. Doctors at St Louis Children's Hospital diagnosed her and warned that the condition could impact her intellectual and physical development. There is no known treatment to restore vision, so she will be fitted with prosthetic eyes. The family has launched a GoFundMe page to cover medical costs, and the baby is expected to undergo surgery to have prosthetic eyes fitted.
A 43-year-old woman in Mexico visited the emergency room with severe abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding, only to discover that she had shed her entire uterine lining at once, a condition known as a decidual cast. This rare occurrence, typically seen in pregnant women or those using contraceptives that affect progesterone levels, is characterized by the sudden expulsion of the uterine lining. While the cause of this condition remains unclear, it is not considered dangerous. The case was published in the American Journal of Case Reports.