While medical science continues to advance, there are still many diseases we don’t fully understand or have a cure for yet. Unfortunately, this means some conditions remain untreatable, and here are a few alarming diseases that, despite ongoing research, still fit in this category.
Morgellons Disease
Skin lesions and a crawling sensation on the skin are the main symptoms of Morgellon disease, a form of delusional parasitosis, often described as feeling like fibers emerging from sores. It’s as horrible as it sounds, and to make matters worse, the medical community remains divided on whether it’s a physical ailment or a psychological disorder. Once they understand this better, hopefully, the cause and fix will be discovered.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Tragically, Alzheimer’s disease is particularly common, yet we still don’t know how to stop it. It’s a progressive neurodegenerative disorder causing memory loss and cognitive decline, showing similar signs to Dementia. The exact mechanisms behind Alzheimer’s remain elusive, with current treatments only alleviating symptoms temporarily. However, scientists are working tirelessly to understand it, so hopefully, we will soon have answers.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Unlike some diseases on this list, Multiple Sclerosis has been known for decades, yet it’s still a puzzle to scientists. This autoimmune disease causes the immune system to attack the protective sheath covering nerves, resulting in degrading health. The exact cause of MS is still unknown, and sadly, this means that its progression is unpredictable.
Lupus
Few people know about Lupus, which the NIH explains is a form of autoimmune disease that currently has no cure. Its effects can be isolated within any part of the body, including skin, joints, and organs, and the symptoms vary widely, making it difficult to diagnose or identify the cause.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
One of the most subtle yet terrifying diseases scientists don’t yet understand is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or CFS. It’s characterized by extreme fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest, including persistent tiredness, muscle pain, and cognitive difficulties. Despite extensive research, the exact cause and effective treatments for this debilitating condition are still unknown, leaving sufferers without clear solutions.
Fibromyalgia
Another horrible disease that scientists are working tirelessly to understand is Fibromyalgia, which causes widespread pain, sleep disturbances, and cognitive issues. It’s actually very common, yet the root cause of fibromyalgia is still not fully understood. Patients often face skepticism due to the subjective nature of their symptoms, but based on anecdotal evidence, it’s clear that it’s real.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)
One of the rarer diseases on this list is CJD, a degenerative brain disorder that leads to rapid mental deterioration. Scientists do know that it is caused by abnormal proteins called prions, but how these proteins cause the disease is not fully understood. There is no cure or effective treatment currently, and tragically, the disease is always fatal.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The cause of ALS is still unknown, and there is no cure. Doctors do know enough about it to extend survival for victims and improve their quality of life, but there are still no preventative treatments available.
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
Another terrifying disease that scientists are still studying rigorously is Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis or IPF. This chronic lung disease results in scarring of the lungs for unknown reasons, baffling scientists. Sadly, this scarring makes it difficult for the lungs to function properly, leading to respiratory failure within a few years of diagnosis.
Kawasaki Disease
Discovered by Japanese scientists, Kawasaki disease affects children and causes inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body. It’s a particularly tragic ailment with an unknown cause, and it can lead to serious heart complications if not treated promptly. Early diagnosis and intervention can reduce the risk of long-term damage, but the disease’s origins remain unclear.
Prader-Willi Syndrome
Due to a genetic disorder, some people develop Prader-Willi Syndrome, which results in chronic hunger, low muscle tone, and developmental delays. It’s a particularly scary disease, especially considering that the exact genetic cause of the syndrome is still under investigation. Despite advances in genetic research, there is no cure yet, although scientists are slowly starting to break new ground in understanding genetic diseases.
Schizophrenia
Arguably, the most famous disease on this list is Schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder characterized by distorted thinking, perceptions, and emotions. Its causes are complex and not fully understood, involving genetic, biological, and environmental factors. Current treatments can help manage symptoms, but a cure remains elusive, leaving patients and families in search of more effective solutions.
Huntington’s Disease
Victims of Huntington’s Disease have their movement, cognition, and behavior debilitated as a result of the disease’s hereditary neurodegenerative roots. While the genetic mutation responsible is known, this doesn’t help scientists understand it any better. Sadly, there is no cure in existence, and treatments are limited to managing symptoms and prolonging quality of life.
Lyme Disease
One of the most terrifying diseases out there is Lyme Disease, particularly because it can be caused by bacteria transmitted through tick bites, which are common. It leads to a range of symptoms, including fatigue, joint pain, and neurological issues, and while antibiotics can treat early infections, some patients experience persistent symptoms known as Chronic Lyme Disease, and scientists still don’t understand why this is.
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)
Doctors are still puzzled by Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), a horrific autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the nerves, leading to weakness and sensory loss. They don’t understand where the cause lies, making it challenging to develop targeted treatments. Current therapies focus on slowing disease progression, but a definitive cure is still out of reach.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)
Often used interchangeably with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis involves experiencing severe fatigue, pain, and cognitive impairment. There are no definitive diagnostic tests, and its cause is, sadly, unknown. Treatments are symptomatic and often ineffective, leaving patients struggling with a condition that profoundly impacts their lives.
Behçet’s Disease
Discovered in Portugal, Behçet’s Disease is a rare inflammatory disorder causing blood vessel inflammation throughout the body. The exact cause is unknown, though genetic and environmental factors are suspected. Symptoms vary widely, making diagnosis and treatment even more challenging, but scientists, particularly in Portugal, are working tirelessly to find solutions.
Aplastic Anemia
One of the rarest diseases on this list is Aplastic Anemia, a rare blood disorder where the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells. The cause can be unknown, but sometimes, it is related to factors like toxins or infections. Treatment is getting there, involving blood transfusions or bone marrow transplants, but this isn’t always going to help, leaving the disease to remain life-threatening for many.
Crohn’s Disease
Sadly, it’s quite common for people to develop Crohn’s Disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease causing severe digestive tract inflammation. Despite it being well-known and studied, the cause is still unknown, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and immune system factors. Treatments aim to manage inflammation and symptoms, but there is no cure as of yet, although scientists are making progress.
Cancer
From this list, Cancer is probably the disease that scientists understand the most. There are countless forms of it, helping them to better understand how to treat it and how it is formed. However, the sad reality is we are still a long way from having a universal solution for it, with many people still dying every day from the awful disease.