MUNCHAUSEN SYNDROME

Munchausen syndrome is a psychological illness in which the sufferer will fake or induce the symptoms of illness or injury in order to receive the attentions of medical personel.

The odd name for this syndrome is taken from Baron Münchhausen who lived from 1720-1797 and purportedly told many impossible stories about his own fictitious adventures.

People who develop Munchausen have often experienced childhood trauma or neglect from sick parents whose illnesses made them unavailable.

Lethality: 1

Disturbing: 3

CIPA

Congenital insensitivity to pain (CIPA) is one or more rare conditions where a person cannot feel (and has never felt) physical pain, though their experience of other sensations is normal.

This condition is extremely rare, only affecting 1 in 125,000,000 births. It is more prevalent in homogenous populations, where interbreeding is thought to trigger the defect.

There are times when the condition is caused by increased production of endorphins in the brain, in which case naloxone may be used as treatment. However, this treatment is not always effective.

The major danger to people with CIPA is self-injury. Since they don't feel mouth pain, they sometimes bite off their own tounges or wound their teeth and gums. In addition, they don't automatically reposition themselves when sitting or sleeping which can cause stress injury.

Lethality Rating: 2

Disturbing Rating: 3

RICKETS

Rickets is a nutritional deficiency characterized by softening of the bones caused by lack of vitamin D and calcium. At particular risk are breast fed babies whose mothers don't get enough sunlight, a major source of vitamin D.

The reason that lack of vitamin D has such a profound effect on the bones, is the vitamin D is necessary in order for the body to absorb calcium from food in the stomach and intestines. Without vitamin D, the calcium is not absorbed but, rather, passes through the body and is excreted.

Children suffering from Rickets can sometimes present to doctors as abuse victims as many of the symptoms resemble damages caused by child abuse.

Those suffering from rickets are treated with Ultraviolet Light Therapy and dietary changes to increase the intake of vitamin D, calcium and phosphates.

Because this disease disables and disfigured children, but is not typically lethal, I rate it a

1 on my "lethality scale" (1-10)

and a 6 on my "disturbing scale" (1-10)

BELLS PALSY

Bells palsy is a paralysis of cranial nerve VII resulting in inability to control the facial muscles on the affected side. Many conditions result in facial paralysis. Doctors use the term "Bells Palsy" to describe facial paralysis for which no cause is apparent.

The onset of the facial paralysis is very sudden, typically causing complete or paralysis of the affected side of the face within 24 hours.

No cause for Bell's palsy has been isolated. However some evidence suggests herpes simplex type 1 infection might play a role in triggering the symptoms.

Bells Palsy is often treated with anti-inflamatory and anti-viral medications, but there is some argument about the efficacy of treatment.

Even without treatment most (85%) Bells Palsy sufferers will get better within 3 weeks of onset. With the other 15% recovering within 6 months.

One unpleasant complication that can occur with this ailment is a chronic loss of the ability to taste.

This is a relatively harmless though strange sick.

So, this ailment rates a

1 on my "lethality scale" (1-10) and a

4 on my "disturbing scale" (1-10