12 Diseases You May Not Even Know You Have
With more diseases than you can shake a medical dictionary at and numerous medical shows and movies filling the airwaves with misinformation, it is nearly impossible to know what is fact and fiction. However, if you are experiencing reoccurring symptoms with no known cause, you may be suffering from a disease and not even know it.
Undiagnosed diseases can be debilitating, and in some cases, deadly. With symptoms ranging from headaches to a simple rash, you could have something for days, months, or even years and not know. To that end, we have gathered the 12 diseases you may not even know you have. From the common to the uncommon, new to the old, they can affect just about anyone, anywhere, at any age, and at any health.
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Sinusitis
Chronic sinusitis isn’t a well-known disease, but every year over 35 million Americans are affected by it. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, it is one of the most diagnosed diseases in the country. It occurs when there is an inflammation of one or more of the paranasal sinuses. Symptoms of sinusitis can include yellow-green nasal discharge, cough, headaches, toothaches, fatigue, and fever. The good news is the condition can be treated with antibiotics. -
Celiac Disease
Before Elizabeth Hassleback came out on having this disease, it was virtually unknown. Those who have never heard of her are even more likely to have this disease and not know it. Celica sprue is an allergy to gluten found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. An estimated one in 133 Americans suffer from it, and if you have a relative with it, your chances jump to one in 22. The National Institutes of Health have judged this disease as not rare and majorly undiagnosed. However, because symptoms can vary from chronic diarrhea to rash to anemia, it is difficult to know who has it. However, a simple blood test can be done, and if positive for celiac, a change in diet is all that is required.
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Thyroid Disease
According to the Colorado Thyroid Disease Prevalence Study, the estimated number of people with undiagnosed thyroid disease may be as high as ten percent, which represents approximately 30 million Americans as diagnosed or undiagnosed. The risk is even higher if you are a woman, with the chances of one of five of developing a thyroid disease in her lifetime. Many go to the doctor with fatigue, feelings of anxiety, hair loss, weight issues, and more. The most common form of thyroid disease is hypothyroidism, whose symptoms also include depression, constipation, and high cholesterol. If you feel you may be suffering from thyroid disease, see a licensed endocrinologist who specializes in them.
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Autoimmune Disease
Because these types of diseases are difficult to diagnose, many patients have significant problems getting a correct diagnosis. Many are incorrectly diagnosed with a variety of conditions that have no specific blood test to confirm the diagnosis. Many are told that their symptoms were in their heads or that they were under too much stress and even 45% of autoimmune disease patients had been labeled hypochondriacs in the earliest stages of their illnesses. Because these diseases have a variety of symptoms it is hard to identify, but he American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association has more.
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Lupus
Remember that episode of “Seinfeld” where George screams: “Lupus?!? Is it lupus?!?” It just might be. This autoimmune disease works almost like a snowflake, striking each patient differently. This autoimmune disease attacks the tissues and can cause inflammation, swelling, and pain. Early symptoms are mild and the patient may not know they have it. They can include fatigue, joint pain, fever, and rash. Tests to detect it include blood tests and other diagnostic tools. It is also hereditary, so check to see if family members have it. WebMD has loads more. -
Lyme Disease
If you haven’t noticed a tick bite, you may have Lyme disease and not even know it. Fever, headache, swollen glands, and other symptoms that come and go may feel like just a bug but can be more. Another common misconception of Lyme disease is the “bull’s-eye” tick mark that can be left behind. However, it isn’t in all cases. Patients can be told that they have multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and other illnesses. The good news is, once diagnosed, the disease can be treated with antibiotics.
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Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Because this disease is so gradual, it can kill even though you many not even know you have it. Sleep apnea occurs when a person literally stops breathing during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the throat actually closes during sleep. This undiagnosed disease commonly affects those who are older in age, overweight, or suffer from hypertension. Check out this guide from The Mayo Clinic for more.
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Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection
Also known as CMV, it is the most common congenital infection in the United States. Occurring when the child is in the womb, this infection strikes approximately 30,000 children in the United States, causing many to be disabled. Because the mother can contract the disease and not know that she has it, CMV can be passed to the child in the womb. Symptoms may include fever, sore throat, fatigue, and swollen glands. Children who are born with it may not show signs, which include hearing and vision loss, but can develop them later. For this reason, if you know or suspect your baby was born with CMV, it is important to have his or her hearing and vision tested regularly. A brochure with more can be found here. -
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes intense pain in various places around the body including muscles, connective tissues and joints, as well as a host of other symptoms. Over six million people in the United States suffer from it, along with many others who may not know they have it. People with fibromyalgia frequently hurt all over and feel exhausted all the time limiting their ability to function normally. Although there is no specific blood test for it, doctors have a load of other diagnostic tools. For more information, visit the National Fibromyalgia Association
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Bleeding Disorders
According to the Duke University Medical Center, nearly one percent of the population suffers from bleeding disorders, yet many don’t know they have one because doctors aren’t looking for the condition. The most likely to suffer from a bleeding disorder are women, especially those who suffer from heavy menstrual cycles. The most common sign of a bleeding disorder is blog that doesn’t clot normally. It can commonly be misdiagnosed as hormonal or gynecological and even lead to the unnecessary removal of the uterus. The most common of these diseases is Willebrand disease. If you suspect this or other diseases look for family history of bleeding disorders, notable bruising, wound bleeding that lasts a long time, and others. There is also a test for the Willebrand factor you can ask for.
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Toxoplasmosis
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 60 million people in the U.S. can have toxoplasmosis and not even know it. This disease is caused by a parasite that lives in the cells of humans and animals, particularly farm animals. It can also be caught through kitty litter. Because symptoms come and go and are common with other illnesses, toxoplasmosis can be difficult to diagnose. Symptoms include fever, swollen glands, jaundice, rash, and others. Unless someone has a weakened immune system, the infection can clear up on its own. Others can take special medications to deal with it.
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Mental Disorders
Last but not least, mental disorders affect about one if four adults in the United States and are to be taken seriously. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 60 million Americans suffer from it at any time, making it the leading cause of disability in both the U.S. and Canada for those aged 15-44. The sad thing is, many mental disorders are diagnosable and treatable with a variety of medications and therapies.
If you suspect yourself or a loved one is suffering from one or more of the above 12 diseases you may not even know you have, consult a physician immediately. They can draw labs, prescribe medications, and a whole host of other resources to help before the disease gets worse.
If you have a disease that has gone undiagnosed and don’t know where to turn to for help, try the Undiagnosed Diseases Program. Started by the National Institutes of Health, they accept patients under certain conditions into the program and even offer help to those who don’t.
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