DECADES AGO, I worked with a colleague in a Cleveland high school. She worked in the guidance department, and I taught choirs and music. She had difficulty writing and doing fine-tune activities with her hands like opening jars. Her ensemble of healing was pretty weak; she asked me to remove baking pans from the hot oven or to check how hot the soapy water was in the sink so that she didn’t burn her hands because she couldn’t feel the water temperature. I wondered what caused her symptoms. “I have Syringomyelia. It’s not a disease; it’s a neurological condition.” Syringomyelia(sih-ring-go-my-E-leeuh) is the development of a fluid-filled cyst within the spinal cord. The cyst, which is sometimes called a syrinx, can grow larger over time. When it does, it can damage the spinal cord and cause pain, weakness, and stiffness.
Syringomyelia has several possible causes. Many cases are associated with a Chiari malformation. This is a condition in which brain tissue pushes into the spinal canal. Other causes of syringomyelia include spinal cord tumors, spinal cord injuries, and damage caused by swelling around the spinal cord. If syringomyelia doesn’t cause problems, monitoring the condition might be all that’s necessary. But if the symptoms are bothersome, surgery might be needed. Once I was invited to speak to a group meeting in a local hospital’s conference room. The presentation’s theme was adapting to health challenges. When I entered the room, I noticed a lot of water pitchers scattered over the tables and registration desk and even on bookshelves. I have seen water pitchers at meetings, but there were a lot. I found out why.
The group leader was the chair of a local chapter of the Sjogren’s syndrome support group. She explained what that is. Sjogren’s (SHOW-grins) syndrome is a disorder of the immune system identified by its two most common symptoms—dry eyes and a dry mouth. The condition often accompanies other immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. In Sjogren’s syndrome, the mucous membranes and moisture- secreting glands of your eyes and mouth are usually affected first, resulting in decreased tears and saliva. Although you can develop Sjogren’s syndrome at any age, most people are older than 40 at the time of diagnosis. The condition is much more common in women. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. These pitchers would be used frequently by person’s who had Sjogren’s Syndrome.
These are just two rare medical conditions, but there are many more. I had never heard of them.
So, what is the difference between a syndrome or condition and a disease? When do these become a disease if they do? Disease is the disruption of the physical, mental, and social well-being of a person due to a specific condition. Diseases have a defined pathological process and an often-predictable course and outcome. The (often-known) cause of diseases’ symptoms can, for example, be infections, genetic factors, environmental factors, or others.
I was a bit confused and found a few basic definitions helped to clarify this confusing medical area. So, according to Verywell Health and the National Cancer Institute:
• A disease is a medical condition with a known cause, often characterized by specific signs and symptoms. Examples include diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
• A disorder is where symptoms disrupt normal bodily functions but the cause may not be fully understood. Examples include anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and some genetic disorders.
• An illness is a broader term often used to describe a state of being unwell, which can be subjective and influenced by cultural factors, says the National Institutes of Health.
• A syndrome is a collection of symptoms that tend to occur together.
• A complex medical condition is a condition that affects multiple body systems or has multiple symptoms according to the J.
Flowers Institute.
• An underlying health condition is a disease or medical condition that interferes with daily life and requires ongoing medical attention.
This certainly is a pretty-confusing medical topic. It is always good to talk to your health professional and tell what your symptoms are, even though they might not seem to be caused by any present condition. Anecdotal symptoms can give researchers a wealth of information when a person has a condition, and patterns can be used to find that out if they are caused by a disease, or weather conditions, or allergies, etc. I am amazed by the diversity of diseases, conditions, syndromes, and disorders.Inowunderstandwhenpeople say, “I’m glad I know what I have, and I have a name for what’s ailing me.”
Sister Karen Zielinski is the Director of Canticle Studio. Canticle Studio is a part of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, OH’s overall advancement effort and has a mission of being a creative center where artists generate works, products, and services in harmony with the mission of the Sisters St. Francis. She can be reached at kzielins@sistersosf.org or 419-824-3543. ✲
