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Waking up from a coma with a completely new accent may seem like a fictional occurrence, but it is a real condition that has over 100 confirmed cases. This is known as foreign accent syndrome, or FAS, a brain-related condition that affects verbal communication . The way one talks changes noticeably, and it may sound like the affected individual is speaking in a distinct new accent. Although at times the accent sounds similar to an already established one, it’s typically a cha

The term “histrionic”, meaning “theatrical or dramatic”, captures the essence of histrionic personality disorder, or HPD, a mental health condition that invokes unstable, intense emotions and a distorted self-image . It is known to be a “Cluster B” personality disorder, and people with HPD base their self-esteem on outside approval, with an overwhelming desire to be noticed , often going to the extent of behaving dramatically or inappropriately for this attention. How ever, t

Cold urticaria is an allergy-like reaction that occurs in some people when skin is exposed to the cold . Itchy welts known as hives can arise within minutes, creating symptoms ranging in severity. This reaction occurs most often within the young adult age group. What are the symptoms of cold urticaria, and how does the condition occur? Cold urticaria symptoms begin once the skin is exposed to cold water or a sudden drop in air temperature , although even damp and windy condi

Exploding head syndrome, or EHS, is a parasomniac sleep disorder , meaning a behavior that interrupts one’s sleep. Also classified as episodic cranial sensory shocks, this condition is characterized by hearing a loud noise or explosive crashing in your head that isn’t real or heard by anyone else . The frequency of these episodes varies: several in one night or for several nights in a row, or months between episodes have occurred before. What causes Exploding Head Syndrome? S

Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the nervous system. The body’s immune system attacks and breaks down the protective covering of nerve fibers , or myelin. This hinders the communication between the brain and the rest of the body, eventually leading to permanent damage to nerve fibers . Types of MS Relapsing-remitting MS - This is the most common type of MS. In Relapsing-remitting MS, some new symptoms or relapses develop over time, eventually improving to some ex

Alien Hand Syndrome is quite a scary condition, as those who have it face movements of their hand without any control . It can severely affect physical and mental health due to the helplessness felt, and sometimes this condition could be a sign of stroke. There is currently no known way to prevent alien hand syndrome. There are five types of alien hand syndrome. Diagnostic dyspraxia (intermanual conflict), where one hand acts independently from the other, alien hand sign ,

Progeria is an extremely rare genetic disorder. Children can appear healthy at birth, then slowly display traits of progeria, like loss of fat tissue, hair loss, and slowed growth. This condition causes children to age rapidly , even causing heart attacks and strokes. The average life expectancy of a child facing progeria is 15 years . Symptoms of Progeria Progeria symptoms can be physical attributes or health issues . Some examples of both are shown below: Physical attribute

Endometriosis is a condition faced by women around the world. For people with endometriosis, tissue similar to the inner uterus lining grows outside of the uterus , creating a painful sensation, mainly during menstrual periods. This can affect th e pelvic lining tissue, fallopian tubes, and ovaries by extensio n. When involving the body’s ovaries, certain cysts or endometriomas, adhesions, and scar tissue can form. Symptoms of endometriosis Pelvic pain Severely painful peri

The term ‘pulmonary embolism’ refers to a clump of material , most commonly a blood clot, that travels to the lung, blocking blood flow to an artery . These clots typically begin in a deep vein of the leg but can also form in other deep veins throughout the body. The condition is known as a deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. How is a pulmonary embolism diagnosed? Some factors may conflict with the diagnosis of a pulmonary embolism, like lung or heart disease. However, the main dia

Capgras syndrome is a psychological condition faced by 3 out of 2,000 psychiatric patients. It is classified as a type of delusional misidentification syndrome, and those with Capgras syndrome typically believe that an imposter is replacing a family member or close friend . Typically, that person is their primary caretaker. Symptoms of Capgras Syndrome There are numerous symptoms of Capgras syndrome; most are triggered by seeing the person believed to be replaced by an impost

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare condition that damages the body’s nerves through the immune system . This condition typically requires treatment in medical facilities while active, with rapidly spreading symptoms and serious health effects. How is Guillain-Barré syndrome diagnosed? Guillain-Barré syndrome is not easy to diagnose early on, as there are many symptoms depending on the person experiencing them. Additionally, these symptoms can be confused with those of other co

Aplastic anemia is a rare blood disease, with less than 1,000 individuals diagnosed in the United States annually. This condition directly affects the body’s bone marrow , which is a material inside of bones that contains stem cells, cells that are responsible for making blood cells. For people with aplastic anemia, fewer blood cells are produced by their bone marrow , meaning there is an inadequate amount. This leads to potentially severe symptoms, some even life-threatenin

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva, also known as FOP or stoneman syndrome , is an unusual genetic condition affecting 1 in 2 million people worldwide. Its name, although lengthy, describes the effect almost perfectly: “abnormal development of fibrous connective and muscle tissues with ossification that is progressive” . To rephrase, FOP is a condition in which connective and muscle tissues are turned into bone , and it gets worse over time. What is FOP? FOP is a genetic

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that affects around 500 million people , of all ages and genders, worldwide. Some risk factors include being of the female sex, being in the age range of 30-50 years old, having a family history of the condition, or suffering from lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or osteoarthritis. What happens to a body with fibromyalgia? Researchers are not entirely certain how fibromyalgia affects the body's anatomy. Studies have shown that the condit

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month . While cancer is a large issue in today’s world, some specific types are often overlooked, including pancreatic cancer. This type of cancer is not usually discovered in its earliest stages , when recovery is most possible, because it hasn’t spread to other organs yet. As a result, any existing lack of awareness is hazardous. It could be the difference between a diagnosis and treatment or a worsening condition, eventually leading

Phantom limb syndrome is a condition faced by over half of all amputees, where sensations are felt in a missing limb . It is typically chronic , or long-term , and can be painful at times. What causes phantom limb syndrome? Currently, there is no known cause . However, research has shown that several factors may lead to the risk of developing phantom limb syndrome. Some include: Improper anesthetic procedure Preoperative pain Traumatic amputation What is phantom limb pain? W

Leukemia is a type of cancer that primarily affects the bone marrow and lymphatic system , producing excess white blood cells . The abundance of white blood cells creates disarray, actively handicapping the body’s functionality. What are the different types of leukemia? Leukemia can be classified as lymphocytic and myeloid . It can be further categorized as acute or chronic . Lymphocytic Myeloid Originates in the lymphocytes, or white blood cells in the bone marrow Starts

Every fall and winter, cases of the influenza virus, or flu, surge in the United States. Although typically considered similar to a common cold, influenza can be a major condition with important health effects. Why is there a "flu season"? Increased contact with others Germs spread easily when people meet in enclosed spaces with limited ventilation . Examples of how close contact increases in the fall and winter include: Children spending time around peers and adults when sc

Feeling overwhelmed lately? Discover how stress affects your mind and body—and how to take back control.

What if you were unable to realize you were sick?