What Is The Rarest Disease?

Introduction

There are thousands of diseases that affect humans but some are incredibly rare affecting only a few people in the world. These rare diseases often lack research funding due to their low prevalence.

Defining Rare Diseases

A rare disease is classified as a condition that affects fewer than 200000 people in the United States or less than 1 in 2000 people in the European Union. However some diseases are so rare that they only affect a handful of people worldwide.

The Rarest Disease

One of the rarest diseases in the world is known as Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP). FOP is a genetic disorder that affects only one in two million people worldwide. FOP causes muscle connective tissue to gradually turn into bone severely limiting movement causing chronic pain.

Symptoms Diagnosis

The symptoms of FOP often begin in childhood with the formation of bone-like growths in soft tissues such as muscles tendons ligaments. These growths progressively become larger creating a second skeleton impairing mobility causing deformities.

Diagnosis of FOP is challenging since early stages of the disease can mimic other common conditions. Molecular genetic testing is available to confirm the diagnosis but it is not widely available in all countries.

Treatment Research

Currently there is no cure for FOP the treatment is mainly supportive to alleviate the pain to prevent complications such as dehydration pneumonia or constipation.

Due to its rarity research into FOP has been limited but scientists have identified the gene responsible for the condition which offers hope for potential treatments. In recent years researchers have found certain drugs that show potential in preventing the formation of bone in soft tissues.

Conclusion

In conclusion rare diseases such as FOP are often misunderstood underfunded leading to a lack of research treatments. More awareness funding are needed to develop effective treatments for those suffering from these diseases. We must strive to provide support care for those with rare diseases work towards the day when all rare diseases have a cure.