The common cold, hay fever and the stomach flu are just some minor medical conditions that infrequently threaten life. Oftentimes, these medical problems resolve on their own. However, a sudden pain in the chest or stomach or a brief sexual encounter with an infected person may unfortunately lead to certain fatal diseases.
AIDS
MedlinePlus says that AIDS is the fifth leading cause of death within the United States in people who are between 25- and 44-years-old. AIDS (autoimmune deficiency syndrome) is actually the most severe form of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).
Symptoms of AIDS include fevers, night sweats, chills, weight loss, weakness, swollen lymph glands and a rash. Oftentimes, symptoms present themselves when the CD4 count reaches a certain low. CD4 refers to a type of immune cell that helps the body defend itself against bacteria, viruses or fungus. AIDS is classified when the CD4 count is less than 200.
AIDS sufferers may develop a lung infection called pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). A persistent cough, fever and headache characterize this condition. Also, a yeast infection may develop in the mouth or throat (fungal Candidiasis). This may lead to painful swallowing. Sometimes, AIDS sufferers may develop a brain infection (Cryptococcal meningitis), a loss of appetite, weight loss and severe diarrhea (Cryptosporidium diarrhea). When the CD4 count is below 50, a blood infection caused by the Mycobacterium avum bacteria or a viral infection that infiltrates any organ (cytomegalovirus infection) can occur.
Treatment for AIDS involves taking a combination of antiretroviral medications called the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). A doctor will develop a specific combination of drugs based on the severity of AIDS.
Heart Attack
A heart attack is another deadly condition that results from heart disease, a condition in which the blood vessels in the heart become clogged. MedlinePlus says 33 percent of heart attacks are deadly. Symptoms of a heart attack include a sudden chest tightness or pain that may mimic bad indigestion. This chest pain can be squeezing in nature or take on a heavy feeling, as if a heavy object is sitting on the chest. Typically, this chest pain will move to the arm. A heart attack occurs when this chest pain lasts for more than 20 minutes.
Anxiety, sweating, vomiting, nausea, feeling lightheaded, shortness of breath and a pounding heartbeat are other symptoms characteristic of a heart attack. Treatment for a heart attack involves receiving intravenous (through the vein) fluids and medications to prevent further heart damage. Oxygen will also be given. Typically, physicians will send heart attack patients to undergo a cardiac catheterization. Here, doctors will insert a thin tube into the groin and weave it up to the heart blood vessels to see if any heart vessels are blocked. An angioplasty can be performed. This is a procedure in which the constricted blood vessels are widened. Also, medications can be used to breakup the clot and even thin the blood.
Aspirin, antiplatelet medications, beta-blocker medications such as metoprolol, cholesterol-lowering medications, such as lovastatin or ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor medications, such as lisinopril, can also be used to manage a heart attack.
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is another deadly disease that leads to such symptoms as stomach pain that gets worse when lying down and gets better with leaning forward, yellowing of the skin or eyes and unintentional weight loss, reports the Cleveland Clinic. Other pancreatic cancer symptoms include weakness, an enlarged liver (hepatomegaly), chronic diarrhea and nausea. According to the Cleveland Clinic, pancreatic cancer is three to four times more common in people who smoke. Pancreatic cancer is treated with chemotherapy, radiation and surgery to remove the cancerous tumor, if possible.
