Modern medicines have made rapid progress in the last two centuries to eradicate and treat several diseases. There has been a major breakthrough in treatment of infectious diseases, genetics and immunological diseases. Vaccinations and antibiotics have made it possible to prevent and treat several diseases.
Yet researchers are unable to find solutions for curing innumerable incurable disorders that may lead the patient to its terminal stage or linger on increasing morbidity and mortality of the patient. Below are few common diseases that do not have any cure till date.
List Of Most Common Diseases That Cannot Be Cured
- Diabetes: Diabetes is a major disorder that has impacted large population the world over.It is a metabolic disorder in which there is abnormal rise of blood sugar. Increased perspiration, appetite, urination are three classical features of diabetes. Along with it weight loss, tiredness, prolonged period in healing wound are few accompanied symptoms. The disease is associated with decreased production of insulin, the hormone that governs regulation of blood sugar. Insulin is either produced less by the pancreas or the cells of body do not respond to insulin. The disease lasts till the last breath. However, with careful monitoring and maintaining blood sugar in normal range with strict dietary control, medication and exercise reduces end stage renal disease, blindness and other fatal complications.
- Cancer: Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled growth of cells in particular organ of the body. The spread of tumor from the primary site to a distant vital organ is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Once the tumor cells have migrated to other sites, it becomes a terminal stage and survival rate decreases considerably. There is no permanent cure of malignant growth. Chemotherapy, radiation, and other forms of therapies are palliative treatment in most cancers. Patient ultimately succumbs from the disease.
- HIV/AIDS: HIV is caused by human immunodeficiency virus. It acts on the immune system of the body impairing its main function of protecting the body against foreign organisms. Transfusion of HIV infected blood is the most common cause for its spread. HIV/AIDS represents the most serious public health problem all over the world. The virus can affect children as well as adults. The virus is slow in its progression culminating in end stage as it compromises the immune system of the body. With weak immune system, patient becomes vulnerable to opportunistic germs. Most patients die because of secondary infection as the body loses its immunity to protect it from the organisms.
- Influenza or common cold: Although it is not a fatal condition, once a patient suffers from common cold, there is no cure. The symptoms usually prolong for 7 to 10 days. Common cold is identified with typical symptoms such as mild fever, sneezing, throat irritation, running nose, lassitude, and irritation in eyes. These symptoms only last for 1 or 2 weeks before subsiding. Medicines only alleviate the symptoms but they do not shorten the course or eradicate the virus.
- Parkinson’s disease: It is a neurological disorder involving movement and posture without causing significant paralysis. In this disorder the brain cells which regulate movement of muscles gradually degenerate or die. Tremors, initial slow movement, are classical features of Parkinson’s disease. Patient has to take treatment for lifetime. But gradually the condition worsens leading to complications and fatality.
- Arthritis: It is a chronic inflammatory disorder of joints. Large as well as small joints can be affected. Arthritis causes stiffness and swelling in the joints. Patient experiences moderate to severe pain. The condition is incurable but there are episodes of regression and flare ups of the symptoms. Arthritis is a life time disease as there is no permanent cure yet available.
There are several other disease that are considered incurable such as Herpes, high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, systemic lupus, irritable bowel syndrome etc.
Although many of these conditions are incurable, with proper care, change in diet, lifestyle and use of medicines they can be controlled so that patient can live normal life to certain extent.