Culture
More and more often these days, you can hear about new diseases that were scary to even imagine before.
These terrible diseases of very dubious origin frighten us and make us thank fate for the fact that most of us have had only the flu and angina.
There are dozens, hundreds of different exotic diseases that not only kill a person, but slowly cripple them. Here is a list of the most terrible diseases that pose a serious threat to humans.
1. Jaw necrosis
Fortunately, this disease went away many years ago.
The only thing we know about it is that at the beginning of the 19th century, match workers were exposed to huge amounts of white phosphorus, a highly toxic substance that ultimately provoked terrible pain in the jaws.
After a while, the jaw cavity was filled with pus, and simply rotted. The huge amount of phosphorus that the body received even glowed in the dark.
If the bone was not surgically removed, phosphorus continued to destroy the body, which eventually led to the patient's death.
2. Acromealgia
This disease occurs when the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone. As a rule, this disease occurs in victims of benign tumors.
Acromegaly is characterized not only by its huge growth, but also by a convex forehead and a large gap between the teeth.
The most famous case of this disease was found in Andre the Giant. As a result of this disease, his height reached 2.2 meters.
The poor man weighed 225 kg. If acromegaly is not treated in time, the heart can not withstand such heavy loads associated with increased body growth. Andre Giant died of heart disease at the age of 46.
3. Leprosy
Leprosy is perhaps one of the most terrible diseases known to medicine. The disease is caused by a special bacterium that destroys the skin.
A leprosy patient literally begins to rot alive. As a rule, the disease primarily affects the face, arms, legs and genitals of a person.
Although the poor man does not lose all his limbs, the disease often takes away the fingers and toes of the leper, and also destroys part of the face. Very often, the nose suffers, causing the face to become terrible, and a shocking laceration appears in place of the nose.
The attitude towards lepers is also terrible. At all times, people with this disease have been shunned, they have been expelled from any society. And even in the modern world, there are entire settlements of lepers.
4. Smallpox
After being infected with smallpox, the body becomes covered with a rash in the form of painful acne. The disease is terrible because it leaves huge scars behind. Therefore, even if you manage to survive the disease, the consequences are rather sad: scars remain all over your body.
Smallpox appeared a long time ago. Experts have proved that even in ancient Egypt, people suffered from this disease. This is also evidenced by mummies found by archaeologists.
It is known that such famous personalities as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Joseph Stalin once had smallpox.
In the case of the Soviet leader, the disease was particularly acute, leaving obvious consequences on the face. Stalin was ashamed of the scars on his face and always asked to retouch the photos in which he was captured.
5. Porphyria
Porphyria is a genetic disorder that leads to the accumulation of porphyrins (organic compounds that have various functions in the body, they also produce red blood calf).
The disease affects the entire body, first of all, the liver suffers. This disease is also dangerous for the human psyche.
People suffering from this skin condition should limit themselves to sunlight, which can make their overall health worse. It is believed that it was the existence of porphyria patients that gave rise to legends about vampires and werewolves.
6. Cutaneous leishmaniasis
The disease is especially common in hot countries. The spread of this dangerous disease is mosquitoes that infect human blood. The parasite left by such a mosquito corrodes the body.
And soon a tiny and harmless bite turns into an ugly purulent ulcer. Therefore, bites in the face are especially dangerous. It takes a long time before the wounds heal.
Without proper treatment, a person may die. Many people in Afghanistan suffer from this disease.
7. Elephant disease
This disease is caused by parasitic worms entering the human body. Upon contact with irritating alkaline soil, the legs of an infected person begin to transform. They swell and the skin begins to thicken.
The disease is common in tropical Africa, with more than one hundred million people suffering from elephant disease. Victims of this disease experience frequent headaches and nausea.
The most effective way to combat the disease is special antibiotics. In the worst and most advanced cases, the patient cannot avoid surgery.
8. Necrotizing fasciitis
Minor cuts and abrasions are part of our lives. And they're pretty harmless if carnivorous bacteria aren't around. Then, in a matter of seconds, a small wound can become life-threatening.
Bacteria corrode living flesh, and only amputation of certain tissues can stop the spread of the disease. They treat the patient with antibiotics. However, even despite intensive treatment, 30-40 per cent of all cases are fatal.