Doctor, Doctor...
By Dave Hall
For all you hypochondriacs out there, Dave Hall continues his regular look at a some of the more unusual medical conditions, as well as some you thought you knew all about.
This week: HYPEREKPLEXIA (Exaggerated Startle Response).
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Condition – Hyperekplexia, also called ‘Hyperexplexia’, is a neurological disorder where sufferers produce an exaggerated startle response in situations of stress or distress. To put it in simple terms, they go friggin’ nuts when you stress them out. The responses vary from immediate closure of the eyes (‘if I can't see you, you can't see me’ syndrome) to generalised stiffness or mild paralysis right through to uncontrolled falling.
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Contagion – Not contagious at all, the cause is genetic - a mutation in the fifth chromosome in the alpha-1 sub-unit of the glycine receptor, if you’re interested.
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| Danger of death – Not a fatal condition, depending on where your uncontrolled fall is, of course. Avoid train tracks and driving if you feel under any kind of stress at all. | |
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Incurability? – There is currently no cure for the condition, although drugs can be prescribed which lesson the symptoms and calm you down.
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Likelihood of getting time off work – You may be able to persuade the boss to give you a few days off for stress, although you might have to pretend to be shit scared by the sudden noise of the coffee machine.
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| Brag-ability – Probably not the most macho of conditions to brag about to your mates in the pub, and if you’re a football fan, you’ll definitely not want this condition, it’s stressful enough supporting some teams without keeling over every time the opposition score. |
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Overall ridiculousness – Sounds crazy, is crazy. Unless you suffer from it of course! |
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More conditions to come soon:
Mewing Kitten Syndrome, Copenhagen disease and more.
Find more curious conditions in Doctor Doctor. If you can't wait for the next Doctor Doctor, then why not find a Phunny Phobia to keep you going?
Photo: DH
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