Pharmapedia: Top 10 incurable diseases
We always talked much about growth of science and progress of treatments and combat of diseases. But still there are several questions which are not answerable. There are many diseases or syndromes which are still not curable. We try to highlight such top 10 diseases which occur most often.
EVD is a viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF). Its name is derived from the Ebola River in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ebolavirus first emerged in 1976 in outbreaks of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in Zaire and Sudan. The strain of Ebola that broke out in Zaire has one of the highest case fatality rates of any human pathogenic virus, roughly 90%, with case-fatality rates at 88% in 1976, 59% in 1994, 81% in 1995, 73% in 1996, 80% in 2001–2002, and 90% in 2003. The strain that broke out later in Sudan has a case fatality rate of around 50%.
Illness is characterized by the rapid onset of fever, malaise, muscle pain, headache and inflammation of the pharynx. Six days following vomiting and bloody diarrhea, individuals may develop maculopapular rash with bleeding at needle sites and bodily orifices. Other symptoms include: abdominal pain, fever, bloody vomit, maculopapular, malaise, joint and muscle pain, coagulopathy, chest pain, dry and sore throat, hemorrhagic diathesis , hiccups, nonbloody diarrhea, vomiting, chills, and fatigue, while later symptoms can include bleeding from the eyes, ears and mouth, depression, sensitivity to pain or seizures. Purpura, petechiae, sclerotic arterioles, and low blood pressure are characteristic as the disease progresses.
Poliomyelitis is often called polio or infantile paralysis. It is an acute viral infectious disease which spread from person to person mainly by the fecal-oral route. Poliomyelitis was first recognized by Jakob Heine in 1840. And poliovirus was identified in 1908 by Karl Landsteiner.
Approximately 90% of polio infections cause no symptoms at all. If the virus enters the blood stream then only affected individuals can exhibit a range of symptoms if the virus enters the blood stream. In rare of cases the virus enters the CNS, primarily infecting and destroying motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness & acute flaccid paralysis. Spinal polio is the commoniest occurred type, characterized by asymmetric paralysis that most often involves the legs. Bulbar polio causes weakness of muscles innervated by cranial nerves. Bulbospinal polio is a combination of bulbar and spinal paralysis.
Now prevention of diseases is possible but could not have proper cure once you catch by polio.
8. Lupus Erythematosus
Lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease which is categorized for a collection of diseases with problems in immunity. Symptoms of these diseases can affect many different body systems including kidneys, blood cells, heart, joints, skin & lungs.
The main reasons behind SLE are genetics, environmental factors, drug reaction etc. One manifestation of SLE is abnormalities in apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death in which aging or damaged cells are neatly disposed of as a part of normal growth or functioning. SLE is not understood well enough to be prevented, but, when the disease develops, quality of life can be improved through flare prevention. The warning signs of an impending flare include increased fatigue, pain, rash, fever, abdominal discomfort, headache, and dizziness. Early recognition of warning signs and good communication with a doctor can help individuals remain active, experience less pain, and reduce medical visits.
Influenza is commonly referred as flu. It is caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae. The most common symptoms of the disease are chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness/fatigue and general discomfort.
Three types of influenza viruses characterized for infection, named as influenzavirus A, B, C. Aquatic birds are the natural hosts for a large variety of influenza A. Occasionally, viruses are transmitted to other species and may then cause devastating outbreaks in domestic poultry or give rise to human influenza pandemics. Very recent known pandemic occurred by H1N1 (swine flu) which was by Type A influenza virus. Type B viruses are affecting human less common than type A. And this viruses mutate slower than influenza virus type A. Because of this lack of antigenic diversity, immunity to influenza B is acquired at early age.
6. Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease
Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease or CJD is a degenerative neurological disorder (brain disease) that is incurable and invariably fatal. CJD is at times called a human form of mad cow disease, given that bovine spongiform encephalopathy is believed to be the cause of variant Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease in humans.
CJD is the most common among the types of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy found in humans. In CJD, the brain tissue develops holes and takes on a sponge-like texture. This is due to a type of infectious protein called a prion. Prions are misfolded proteins which replicate by converting their properly folded counterparts.
The first symptom of CJD is rapidly progressive dementia, leading to memory loss, personality changes and hallucinations. This is accompanied by physical problems such as speech impairment, myoclonus, balance and ataxia, changes in gait, rigid posture, and seizures.
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