Great names you don't want to have (I)

Addison's Disease

A disorder of the adrenal glands (a type hormonal-secreting glands). The disease used to be fatal up to the 1950s until hormone treatment became available. Symptoms include tiredness, vague abdominal pain, weight loss, darkening of the skin in the palms and pressure areas of the body, particularly around the mouth.

Behcet's Syndrome

A rare, often chronic disorder. Symptoms include recurrent mouth ulcers and inflammation of the eyes, rashes and intestinal ulcers.

Bell's Palsy

Weakness of the facial muscles. Occurs for no reason and affects one side of the face.

Ewing's Sarcoma

A malignant bone cancer seen mostly in kids between 10-15 years old. It usually starts in a large bone, such as the pelvis or thigh bone (femur) before spreading to other parts.

Down's Syndrome

The result of a chromosomal abnormality - the person has 47 instead of 46 chromosomes. Down's syndrome people suffer mental retardation and have flattened features. The tongue may be large and protruding. Mothers over the age of 35 are at risk of bearing Down's syndrome babies.

Dressler's Syndrome

Also known as post-infarction syndrome. It may occur after a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or heart surgery, causing inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart and lungs. Symptoms are fever and chest pain.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

A collagen disorder. Those affected have loose, thin skin that bruises easily and is slow to heal. They also tend to bleed easily from the gums and digestive tract.

Friedreich's Ataxis

Degeneration nerve fibers in the spinal cord that causes ataxia (loss of coordinated movement and balance). This rare disease is the result of a genetic defect.

Grave's Disease

Toxic goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), which develops from an excessive production and thyroid hormones. The disease may cause eyeballs to bulge.

Guillan-Barre Syndrome

A form of paralysis believed to be caused by an allergic reaction to an (viral) infection. The disease may appear 2-3 weeks after the infection, usually of the upper respiratory tract, such as sore throat or the flu.

Hansen's Disease

Also known as leprosy. It's a chronic bacterial infection that damages the nerves in the limbs and facial area, and may also lead to skin damage. Untreated, it can lead to blindness and disfigurement.

Source: Where Health Begins, July/August 2004