bessblog:

I googled weird syndromes and here’s a few awesome ones that I found. I particularly like “Sick Santa Syndrome”.

• Air controllers syndrome: Peptic ulcers occurring among air traffic controllers, as a result of job stress. (Illinois Medical Journal, 1972)
• Creditcarditis: Pain over the rear and down thigh due to pressure on nerve from a wallet stuffed with credit cards.
  (New England Medical Journal, 1966)
• Ice-cream frostbite: Frostbite on the lips from prolonged contact with ice-cream. (New England Medical Journal, 1982)
• Money counters’ cramp: Painful seizure of muscles from counting too much cash. (English University Press, 1975)
• Nun’s knee: Swelling of kneecap from repeated kneeling in prayer. (Diseases of Occupations, 1975)
• Sick Santa’s syndrome: Low back pain from lifting heavy children and parcels and acquired illnesses from multiple contact with kids. (JAMA, 1986)
• Television legs: Loss of normal flexibility of the legs from being slumped in a chair in front of the box for too long. (JAMA, 1958)

This post reminded me of a book I love/hate: The Hypochondriac’s Pocket Guide to Horrible Diseases You Probably Already Have.

a) Don’t Google images of cornu cutaneum.

b) I may start blaming things on Alien hand syndrome (anarchic hand or Dr. Strangelove syndrome): an unusual neurological disorder in which one of the sufferer’s hands seems to take on a mind of its own. Alien hands can perform complex acts such as undoing buttons, removing clothing, and manipulating tools.