Have you ever felt like there was something wrong with you but just thought it was in your head? If you’re feeling off you might be suffering from a medical condition that is not well known. There are many conditions and disorders that aren’t common household names including the following five conditions.
1. Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a condition that causes a person to lose their hair. The hair loss comes in patches that are small enough to go unnoticed. In some cases, patches can connect, causing larger, more noticeable areas of hair loss. This type of hair loss can evolve into a condition known as Alopecia Universalis, which is total hair loss. Unfortunately, there are currently no proven cures for alopecia areata. There are treatment options available but none that are clinically proven to work for everyone.
2. Tinnitus
Have you ever stood too close to a speaker in a concert or night club and heard that ringing in your ear the next day? Well, that ringing sound is called tinnitus. Tinnitus commonly presents itself as a high pitched ringing in the ears, although, the volume, tone, or pitch varies. Some sufferers experience it in just one ear, while others experience the ringing in both ears.
War veterans and workers that work around large machinery suffer from Tinnitus and although there is no cure there are hearing solutions like Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) that can ease the ringing sensation so that it is livable. Some hearing instrument specialists recommend hearing aids that don’t resolve the issue, it is important to find the best treatment option for your comfort. If you feel like you’ve got tinnitus, see an audiologist to discuss all possible treatment options as soon as possible.
3. Amenorrhea
When a female reaches puberty, they will get their period. If a female reaches the age of 16 and has not gotten their period they could have amenorrhea. Having amenorrhea doesn’t mean you’re infertile it is a medical condition that needs to be brought to your family doctor. There are two types of amenorrhea that have different underlying causes.
4. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a hormonal disorder in females that can go unnoticed until it is time for reproduction. Symptoms include thinning hair, obesity and oily skin. There are treatment options for PCOS that typically involves oral medications.
5. Myocarditis
Myocarditis occurs when the heart muscle, also known as the myocardium, becomes inflamed. Patients with myocarditis experience symptoms such as shortness of breath and rapid or abnormal heartbeats. These symptoms can occur both while resting or during physical activity. This disease can affect your heart muscle, electrical system and reduce your heart’s ability to pump.
When your heart’s ability to pump is reduced it can cause rapid or abnormal heart rhythms. If the instance of myocarditis progresses it can lead to heart dysfunction, heart failure, and sudden death. Fortunately, there are foundations dedicated to myocarditis research that are working hard to find a cure for myocarditis and reduce its progression.
If you’re experiencing health conditions, even if they are subtle, you should seek the advice of a medical professional. Be sure to include all symptoms that you’re experiencing. The combination of symptoms could indicate a larger issue that is uncommon or somewhat common.
Always discuss your findings with your primary doctor as emergency room doctors should only be used as a resource for emergent situations. Keep a log of possible symptoms and signs to discuss with your doctor and make an appointment as soon as possible.
