Throughout history, humans have been plagued by enigmatic illnesses that continue to defy scientific understanding. Despite the impressive strides made in medical science, some diseases still perplex researchers. These ailments, where the root causes remain a mystery, pose unique challenges for patients and healthcare providers alike.

The baffling nature of these conditions lies not just in their unknown origins but also in their unpredictable symptoms and varied impact on individuals. For some, the onset is gradual and subtle, while others are struck suddenly and without warning. This lack of clarity leaves patients grasping for answers, often facing a lifetime of uncertainty and frustration as they seek relief.

Whether autoimmune, neurological, or entirely unique in their manifestations, these diseases underscore the complexities of the human body and the limitations of our current medical knowledge. Here are 10 mysterious human diseases that remain largely unexplained.

Related: Top 10 Surprising Ways Diseases Have Been Cured

10 The Unnerving Mystery of Bell’s Palsy

Bell’s Palsy is a sudden and alarming condition characterized by temporary weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles, typically affecting only one side of the face. The swift onset often leaves patients in shock, with facial drooping and an inability to close the eye being hallmark symptoms. While some suspect viral infections, particularly herpes simplex, as the culprit, the exact cause remains unclear.

The condition was first described in detail by Sir Charles Bell, a Scottish surgeon, in the 19th century. He observed the rapid progression and debilitating effects on facial movement. Still, despite extensive research since then, the root cause remains elusive. Most patients experience spontaneous recovery within a few weeks to months, but a small percentage endure lingering weakness or permanent damage.

The unpredictability of Bell’s Palsy adds to the anxiety experienced by patients. Some report mild facial weakness, while others suffer from complete paralysis, making everyday activities like eating, drinking, and speaking difficult. Furthermore, the inability to close the eye can lead to dryness and potential corneal damage. Treatment typically involves corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and antiviral medications, but the effectiveness of these interventions varies.

While most people regain full function, the uncertainty surrounding the condition leaves many wondering if and when it might strike again, adding to the unnerving nature of this mysterious affliction.^[1]

9 The Debilitating Enigma of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), is a debilitating disorder marked by extreme fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest and is not directly caused by any other underlying medical condition. Those suffering from CFS often struggle with muscle pain, headaches, and cognitive difficulties like memory loss and impaired concentration. Despite significant research efforts, the root cause of CFS remains unknown, making it one of the most perplexing disorders in modern medicine.

Many theories have emerged over the years regarding potential causes, including viral infections, immune system dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, and psychological stress. Some researchers suspect that certain viral infections like Epstein-Barr may trigger the syndrome, while others believe that an abnormal immune response may be the primary factor. However, no single cause has been definitively proven, leaving patients without clear answers or a specific treatment.

The uncertainty surrounding CFS makes it difficult for patients to manage their symptoms and daily lives. The lack of a definitive diagnostic test often results in delayed or misdiagnosis, causing frustration and emotional distress. Moreover, some healthcare providers dismiss the condition due to its unclear origins, leaving patients feeling misunderstood and unsupported.

Treatment for CFS typically focuses on symptom relief, including lifestyle changes, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medications to manage pain and improve sleep. However, finding an effective treatment remains a challenge due to the variability of symptoms and the lack of a clear underlying cause, making CFS one of the most enigmatic and frustrating medical mysteries.^[2]

8 The Agonizing Puzzle of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and localized tenderness. Patients often experience sleep disturbances, memory issues, and mood swings. Although it’s believed to involve abnormal pain processing in the brain, the specific cause remains elusive, making it one of the most puzzling conditions in modern healthcare.

Potential triggers include genetic predisposition, infections, and physical or emotional trauma. Some researchers believe that fibromyalgia may be linked to an overactive nervous system, where pain signals are amplified and prolonged. Others hypothesize that hormonal imbalances or autoimmune factors could be involved. However, no definitive cause has been identified, leading to uncertainty in diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment focuses on symptom management through a combination of medication, exercise, and stress reduction. Patients often require a multidisciplinary approach involving physical therapy, psychological counseling, and medication to improve sleep and reduce pain. Despite these efforts, many individuals continue to struggle with persistent symptoms as the medical community continues to search for the underlying cause of this agonizing mystery.^[3]

7 Lupus: The Shape-Shifting Disease

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to mistakenly attack healthy tissue. The condition primarily affects the skin, joints, kidneys, and brain, leading to a wide range of symptoms like joint pain, fatigue, rashes, and organ inflammation. While genetics and environmental factors are believed to play a role, the exact cause remains unknown, making it a particularly challenging condition to diagnose and treat.

There are several types of lupus, with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) being the most common and severe form. Symptoms can range from mild joint pain to life-threatening organ failure. The unpredictable nature of lupus means that patients can experience periods of remission followed by sudden flare-ups, adding to the anxiety and frustration of living with the disease.

Treatment typically includes immunosuppressants and anti-inflammatory medications to manage flare-ups and minimize organ damage. However, the complexity and variability of lupus make finding effective treatments difficult. Research into its underlying causes continues in hopes of developing more targeted and effective therapies for this shape-shifting disease.^[4]

6 Misfiring Nerves from Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers, known as myelin, disrupting communication between the brain and the body. The symptoms vary widely, ranging from vision problems and muscle weakness to fatigue and cognitive impairment. Although genetics, viral infections, and environmental factors are suspected contributors, the exact trigger remains a mystery.

In MS, the immune system’s attack on myelin results in scar tissue (sclerosis), which interferes with nerve signal transmission. This damage leads to a broad spectrum of neurological symptoms that can worsen over time or occur sporadically in unpredictable flare-ups. The disease typically presents in two primary forms: relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), where symptoms come and go, and primary progressive MS (PPMS), characterized by a gradual decline in function.

Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and slowing disease progression through disease-modifying therapies. These include immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, and physical therapy. While these treatments can improve quality of life, they cannot cure the disease or fully prevent its progression, leaving patients and researchers searching for a definitive cause and a more effective solution to this misfiring neurological condition.^[5]

5 Relentless Gut and Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s Disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. It can affect any part of the digestive system, from the mouth to the anus, but most commonly impacts the small intestine. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue. Despite extensive research, the exact cause of Crohn’s remains unclear, making it a challenging condition for both patients and healthcare providers.

While the precise cause is unknown, researchers believe a combination of genetics, immune system dysfunction, and environmental factors play a role. Smoking, diet, and stress are considered potential triggers that may exacerbate the condition. The disease can also vary greatly in severity, with some patients experiencing mild discomfort while others endure severe complications like intestinal strictures and fistulas.

Diagnosing Crohn’s Disease requires a series of tests, including blood work, endoscopy, and imaging studies, due to the overlap in symptoms with other gastrointestinal disorders. Once diagnosed, treatment focuses on reducing inflammation and managing symptoms through anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, and biologic therapies. Surgery is sometimes necessary for patients with severe complications or those who don’t respond to medication.

The unpredictable nature of Crohn’s makes it a relentless and frustrating disorder for many patients, significantly impacting their quality of life. The medical community continues to search for a definitive cause and more effective treatments for this mysterious gut disorder.^[6]

4 Enigmatic Lung Scarring in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic lung disease characterized by progressive scarring (fibrosis) of the lung tissue, leading to severe breathing difficulties. The primary symptoms include shortness of breath, a persistent dry cough, and fatigue. Unfortunately, the disease often has a poor prognosis, with most patients surviving only three to five years after diagnosis.

The scarring of the lung tissue in IPF makes it difficult for oxygen to pass into the bloodstream, resulting in chronic breathlessness and reduced oxygen levels. While the exact cause is unknown, researchers believe genetic factors and environmental exposures, such as smoking or inhaling dust, may contribute to its development. However, the disease can occur in individuals without any known risk factors, further complicating our understanding.

Treatment options are limited and aim to slow disease progression rather than cure it. Antifibrotic medications, supplemental oxygen, and pulmonary rehabilitation can provide some relief, but many patients eventually require a lung transplant. Despite advances in understanding the disease, IPF remains one of the most challenging respiratory disorders due to its rapid progression and unknown cause.^[7]

3 Interstitial Cystitis’s Bladder Pain Enigma

Interstitial cystitis (IC), also known as bladder pain syndrome (BPS), is a chronic condition characterized by persistent bladder pressure, pelvic pain, and frequent urination. Its severity varies widely, with some individuals experiencing mild discomfort while others endure debilitating pain that significantly impacts their quality of life. Despite extensive research, the exact cause remains unknown, leaving patients and doctors searching for answers.

The symptoms of IC often mimic those of urinary tract infections but without the presence of bacteria. This leads to frequent misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Potential causes include defects in the bladder lining, autoimmune reactions, nerve abnormalities, and genetic predisposition. However, none of these theories have been conclusively proven, making IC one of the most mysterious disorders affecting the urinary system.

Diagnosing IC involves ruling out other conditions that could cause similar symptoms, such as infections, bladder cancer, or endometriosis. Once diagnosed, treatment focuses on symptom management, ranging from lifestyle changes and dietary modifications to bladder instillations and nerve stimulation. Oral medications, such as antihistamines and antidepressants, may also help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.

The unpredictable and often progressive nature of IC adds to the frustration faced by patients. As research continues to find a definitive cause, the medical community strives to develop better diagnostic tools and treatment options for this enigmatic bladder condition.^[8]

2 Kawasaki Disease: A Mysterious Childhood Illness

Kawasaki disease primarily affects children under the age of five and involves inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body. The condition is marked by a high fever lasting for more than five days, accompanied by symptoms like a rash, swollen hands and feet, and redness in the eyes, mouth, and tongue. Despite its severe implications, particularly for the heart, the exact cause remains unknown.

An infectious agent is suspected to be the trigger due to seasonal outbreaks and geographic clustering of cases. However, no specific pathogen has been identified. Genetic factors may also play a role, as children of Asian descent, particularly those of Japanese or Korean heritage, have a higher risk of developing Kawasaki disease.

Early treatment with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and aspirin is crucial, as it significantly reduces the risk of coronary artery aneurysms, a potentially life-threatening complication. Long-term management often involves regular cardiac monitoring to ensure no further damage occurs. While most children recover fully with early treatment, finding the definitive cause remains a top priority in unraveling this mysterious childhood illness.^[9]

1 Primary Biliary Cholangitis Silently Destroys the Liver

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), previously known as primary biliary cirrhosis, is a chronic liver disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the small bile ducts within the liver. This gradual destruction leads to bile buildup, causing inflammation and progressive liver damage. Common symptoms include fatigue, itchy skin, and jaundice, though many patients remain asymptomatic in the early stages. Despite intensive research, the exact cause remains unknown.

Genetic predisposition is believed to play a role, as PBC is more common in individuals with a family history of autoimmune diseases. Environmental factors like infections or exposure to certain chemicals may act as triggers. Women are disproportionately affected, accounting for nearly 90% of cases, suggesting a hormonal influence. However, the specific factors leading to this immune system misfire are still undetermined.

Diagnosis typically involves blood tests for liver enzymes and antibodies, as well as imaging studies or a liver biopsy to assess disease progression. Treatment aims to slow disease progression and relieve symptoms, with medications like ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) improving bile flow. In advanced cases, liver transplantation may be necessary.

While early detection and treatment can significantly improve outcomes, the unpredictable nature of PBC makes it a silent and formidable liver destroyer. Continued research into its underlying causes and more effective therapies is crucial in combating this enigmatic disease.^[10]

Death is an eternal truth, whoever is born on this earth must abandon everything one day and embrace death. You must have thought at some point that what happens after death, unfortunately, no one has any concrete answer to this question. Yes, it is definitely that scientists from all over the world are engaged in finding answers to this at their level. In recent decades Scientists from all over the world have given some theories which are in themselves astonishing and amazing. So, today we will look into 10 Freaky and bizarre theories of what awaits us after the great beyond.

10. You will be excreted.

A theory that has been around for decades now says that the whole universe is actually one giant Brain of some Higher species. It can be a single brain or multiple brains in some containers. If we believe this theory, then our solar system is nothing but a brain cell. And we humans are insignificant parts of this cell. For us, our thousands of millions of years of history has happened in less than even 1 second for that huge brain.

Well, let us see what it says about our life after death. What happens to our own dead cells? They are sloughed off and discarded. If we are an insignificant part of a huge mind, then something similar will happen to us. That is, when we die, the universe will leave our consciousness where it dumps its filth. Oh, Gross. I know that this theory is a bit strange and it is also a bit difficult to digest but it is only because we do not know all the things about it.

This just made my life meaningless.

9. You Enter the Cosmic Consciousness.

What is life? It is very important to know the answer to this question. We know that we are alive and are completely controlling ourselves with our minds. Our brain uses only 20 watts of power for this. This power is so low that most of the light bulbs use more power than that. So far, biologists have not been able to fully tell how our brain does everything so correctly. Consciousness is our specialty, but we do not know where it comes from. And where does it disappear after our death? According to the Orchestrated objective reduction theory of the mind of Sir Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff, Consciousness depends on biologically ‘orchestrated’ coherent quantum processes in collections of microtubules within brain neurons. But these brain cells do not make it, they become one of its means.

According to this theory, you can think of this universe as a sea of consciousness. The consciousness that exists in humans comes from here and after our death, it returns back. Everything in the universe is connected to consciousness. You can understand it this way, If you consider a sea to be the consciousness of the universe, our consciousness is a wave. It stays on the ground for a while and returns back. So the conclusion is that after our death, our consciousness goes back to the universe where it can stay forever, or it can go back to another body for some time.

So Our Consciousness is deep-rooted in the universe, It is intrinsically confusing.

8. Being human is just one level.

According to the concept of reincarnation, after our death, our soul enters a new body, So that you are born again. Dr. Ian Stevenson has researched incarnation and investigated hundreds of cases of children who claim to have previous lives. He was an academic psychiatrist and had founded the Division of Perceptual Studies at the University of Virginia. Sometimes he refers to incarnation as “survival of personality after death”. He believes along with heredity and environment, it can offer a possible explanation of many personality traits including phobias. But none of the claims have been proven true.

Our Theory is a bit different from normally what Asians believe and Western people disagree.

When this theory originated, people did not know much about the complex and mysterious nature of the universe. That is why they only imagined that our soul can only reincarnate on earth in a different body. What if your soul is reincarnated in some other section of this universe? What if your soul does not enter a new body instead take a form we do not know about. According to this theory, our Souls/consciousness can go anywhere in the universe. This means you can again be a human or some cool alien or some trivial insect or something we do not understand yet. We actually cannot imagine what we will be after our death in human form.

7. The Universe Ends.

Can you prove that this world and universe really exist? You most likely will say yes and give evidence to the things and people around you. But According to the theory of solipsism, nothing exists outside the mind and your brain. What you see and hear is true for you, but you can never prove that the people around you really exist. Let us take the example of GTA 5. In this game, when you are in a particular place everything around you is working correctly. People nearby are also present there and there is nothing odd for you. But what about the places where you are not present? Actually, at that time those places do not exist.

If you believe this theory, you are the only creature in the universe. So after your death, the existence of the universe ceases. That means all those people you know, love also cease to exist. All the things and people are merely the projection of your subconscious mind.

So Look again at the world and stop complaining about meaningless things. After all, you have created all this.

6. Life starts over again

You must have felt this at some point in your life. That a place or person seems to be known to you rather you have never been to that place before or have never met that person before. We call this déjà-vu. What if your whole is a déjà vu? That means your life is repeating itself again and again? Because of which it seems that you may have known that place or that person. This can happen in two ways. First: Your life is like a film that repeats itself countless times. Second: Your life is repeated but every time you have better control over it.

This is very much like the movie Groundhog Day. Obviously, there is some notable difference, here life starts again after we die rather than after a day and you gain very much less control as compared to the movie. So, Better luck next time bro. We are living a life (which sucks), god knows how many times, without even knowing it is all a déjà-vu.

Congratulations, you are stuck in a loop.

5. The Dreamer wakes up

Although this may sound like some concocted stories of the ’80s, this is completely possible that our life is nothing but a dream of some creature. You all must have dreamed. Dreams look so real that it is only after we wake, we realize that we were dreaming. We lose the grasp of what’s real what is a dream. Dreams are the product of our own subconscious mind so it can be debated that they, in fact, are real. Gregg Levoy, author of Vital Signs: The Nature and Nurture of Passion thinks so. And Some real-life world-famous ideas like Google, Theory of relativity, the first periodic table, etc. were first experienced in dreams. So we can say that dreams can be very real.

So it is possible that after our death, we wake up in the ‘real’ world. Pretty much like Inception. Now the question arises that what happens when the creature who is dreaming dies? There is no answer to this question for the time being. We do not know that whom we are talking about waking up from sleep is in human form or some soul or something else we know nothing about.

Oh God! There is nothing we know for sure.

4. You get Re-programmed.

According to this theory, we live in a computer simulation. This is the most widespread in this list. You have probably heard of this before. It is first proposed by an Oxford philosopher Nick Bostrom in 2003. It argues that either all intelligent species go extinct before able to create ancestor simulation or do not bother to create one because of some reason. Or we are certainly living in a simulation. If we are living in an ancestor simulation, our Consciousness is programmed. We are just a paltry character in the simulation.

So when we die, our programmer can send us to a different space and time in the simulation after deleting your memories. It is very easy for them as they have our base code, they just need to make some adjustments. It is very hard to predict what those programmers will do. There is a whole lot of possibilities that they can do. Sounds Fun?

Movies like The Matrix and The thirteenth floor are based on this hypothesis. Of course, you can cut out the concoctions from the movies. Probably. I mean they are very much less likely but Who knows?

3. Our Consciousness is Unreal.

This theory is also related to the simulation hypothesis. Do not say, seriously 2 theories on the same hypothesis! Elon Musk Thinks there is a billion to one chance we are living in the ‘real’ world. It is plausible to the hilt.

But this aspect is much Darker. As your ‘Consciousness’ is just programming we do not have a free will of our own. We are acting just like we are coded. They can run or delete your Code anytime they want. It is possible that they have put your code last time when you closed your eyes. All your memories were put in you while you were sleeping last night. And now you think you have been this person for years although it is just a few hours. Similarly, they can change or delete your code next time when you go to sleep. They can make you an entirely different person or just ‘delete’ you from the simulation as per their needs.

This is very much like Westworld. Here, a simulated world is created and persons are designed with certain roles assigned to them. All of us add up to some bigger stories. They can change the role of any person as per their need by just filling the code with new memories of a different place and maybe even time. Everything you think you are is just an illusion.

So, We are nothing but a bunch of 0’s and 1’s And we do everything as we are programmed.

At least we can rejoice that our seemingly meaningless life adds up to something of use for our creators. Or why would they create us in the first place?

2. Death is an illusion.

Unlike other creatures of the earth, human beings are the only creature that has knowledge of time. We know that Time only moves forward in the form of days, months or years. But is this really what time is? The understanding of time that we have is created by humans. Whatever we think of time can very possibly be wrong. We believe that time always moves like a stream of a river. It is not necessary that the Universe also operates the way we think time works.

The past or the future exists in the universe along with the present, only we cannot see it. Imagine, Reality is a film strip and consciousness is the projecting light which makes us see the film. Until a frame comes in front of the light, we cannot see it. But its existence cannot be denied. Time and Reality also work in the same way. We cannot see the past or future, but they exist simultaneously with the present. We are bound by three-dimensional space-time. So, How all this connect to death? Well, you never die. Death is merely an illusion. You always exist in the frames where you are alive because you can’t exist in the frames where you are dead. It’s just that other people think you are dead because this does not hinder ‘their’ existence.

I know this theory is confusing, but it is worth it. Finally, a non-nihilist theory.

1. Anything is possible.

We cannot say for sure anything about life after death. According to the many-worlds interpretation theory, almost infinite realities exist. This massive number of parallel universes contains every possible thing you can think of. There is a universe where you are a billionaire or one in which Hillary won or one in which I am reading this article written by you.

So anything is possible after death in some universe. There is a universe where Reincarnation happens or one where heaven and hell are actually there. There is a universe where we turn into Zombies after death or one in which we simply die. All the above theories are possible in some parallel universe. We just do not know in what universe we exist Or maybe it is yet to be determined. You may end in the universe/theory you believe in. If you believe in The solipsism theory, your Universe will end after your Death. I mean, Anything is Possible.

So, let your creativity flow out and think of different theories after death from your own and tell in the comments. Because there exists a universe for everything we can think of.

Author’s Name: Aniket Jha