Over the course of history, we’ve seen plenty of medical conditions and while some have left rather devastating impacts in the lives of plenty, there are some – categorized as the more peculiar ones – which are more so perplexing.
10. Cotard’s Syndrome
Also known as “Walking Corpse Syndrome”, this disease leads sufferers to believe that they are, as its moniker suggests, dead or dying inside. More of an impairment to the psyche rather than anything physical, patients are almost zombie-like which is why some feel that the disease may just be a result of an obsession with zombies in popular culture.
9. Elephantiasis
Having gained quite a fair bit of coverage in documentaries in recent years, this particular medical condition may be familiar to some of you. This rather unfortunate condition is caused by a parasite, carried by a certain breed of mosquito, which infects the lymphatic system, as it breeds, and results in the engorgement of certain areas of the body.
8. Periodic Paralysis
Next on the list is this disease which, true to its name, acts in such a way that areas of or, in even rarer cases, the entire human body becomes completely paralyzed. This paralysis, however, isn’t permanent and can last from just a few hours to a couple of days. Caused by failing ion channels in nerve cells, the omission of signals from the brain becomes limited and limbs may sometimes fail to respond.
7. Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis
Another condition that has garnered quite a fair bit of interest in recent years is this particular one, also known as the “Tree Bark Skin Disorder”. The disease is just as unusual as it is unfortunate and is characterized by growths that have formed en-masse on the skin leading to afflicted areas to appear just, well, tree bark.
6. Methemoglobinemia
The saying “why so blue?” holds a figurative meaning for the most of us but for some, it can actually be very literal – sufferers of this hereditary condition actually have blue skin. And if you really must ask why (so blue?), it’s due to the higher than usual levels of methemoglobin in their blood resulting in an alteration in the complexion that’s different from the norm.
