Disabling illnesses

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is a condition that gradually destroys the nerves controlling the muscles. The muscles weaken and waste away, and the person progressively loses the ability to walk, to speak, somet… View the explanations
• Cancer (in treatment) Cancer is the abnormal growth of cells that should renew themselves normally. Depending on the type, the stage and the location, the outlook and the treatment differ greatly. Beyond the illness itself, it often involves:… View the explanations
• Chronic Hepatitis C Chronic hepatitis C is a long-lasting infection of the liver caused by a virus. Over time, it can quietly damage the liver, sometimes over years, before any symptoms appear. Day to day, this can mean: chronic fatigue,… View the explanations
• Coeliac disease Coeliac disease is a permanent intolerance to gluten. With each intake, even a tiny one, the immune system damages the intestine. The only treatment is a strict gluten-free diet, for life. Day to day, this means: syst… View the explanations
• Congenital Heart Diseases Congenital heart diseases are heart malformations present from birth. Depending on severity, they can be well tolerated with simple follow-up, or require operations and rigorous monitoring throughout life. Day to day, th… View the explanations
• COPD COPD is a chronic lung disease in which the airways are lastingly damaged, most often by tobacco. Breathing takes more effort, especially when walking or climbing stairs. You may notice: breathlessness that appears qu… View the explanations
• Crohn's disease Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. It moves through flare-ups and calmer spells, with symptoms that vary from one person to another, sometimes disabling. This can show up as: abdominal p… View the explanations
• Cystic fibrosis Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that makes the body's secretions too thick. The lungs and the digestive system suffer in particular, which calls for heavy daily care. Day to day, this can mean: several respirat… View the explanations
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a genetic condition affecting the body's connective tissue. The skin, joints and blood vessels are more fragile or more flexible than usual, which can cause a great deal of pain and fatigue. Thi… View the explanations
• Endometriosis Endometriosis is uterine tissue that grows where it should not, in the abdomen, around the organs. With each cycle, this tissue bleeds too, which creates inflammation and pain that is often very strong. This can mean: … View the explanations
• Epilepsy Epilepsy shows up through seizures that occur when the electrical activity of the brain races momentarily. Contrary to the widespread image, not all seizures are spectacular: some come down to an absence of a few seconds… View the explanations
• Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain throughout the body, along with intense fatigue and unrefreshing sleep. "Standard" tests show nothing, which often makes diagnosis a long process. This can show up … View the explanations
• Heart failure Heart failure is a heart that pumps less effectively. The body gets less blood than it needs, and every effort costs more than it does for someone else. You may notice: breathlessness on exertion, sometimes when climb… View the explanations
• HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS is infection by a virus that weakens the body's defences. Today, with daily treatment, the virus is controlled: the person no longer transmits it, no longer becomes ill from AIDS, and lives as long as anyone els… View the explanations
• Kidney failure Kidney failure is kidneys that filter the blood less well. Waste builds up, sometimes water too, and the body tires more quickly. At the most advanced stages, dialysis sessions are needed. This can mean: significant f… View the explanations
• Long Covid Long Covid is symptoms that last or come back weeks, even months after a Covid infection. It is unpredictable, and each person has their own pattern. You may notice: very significant fatigue that does not go away with… View the explanations
• Multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosis concerns the nervous system: in places, the sheath that surrounds the nerve fibres becomes damaged, and the messages between the brain and the rest of the body pass less well. Depending on the areas af… View the explanations
• Parkinson's disease Parkinson's disease changes the way the brain triggers and adjusts movements. The movement remains possible, but it starts later, smaller, more rigid, and the person often has to put in an attention that others do not ne… View the explanations
• Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints in a lasting way: the system that usually protects the body turns on the joints themselves, especially those of the hands, wrists and feet. The inflammation makes them swell, warms… View the explanations
• Severe Asthma Asthma is a condition affecting the airways that can flare up in episodes. The airways tighten, breathing becomes wheezy, and air struggles to get through. Day to day, this can mean: staying alert to triggers (dust, a… View the explanations
• Sickle cell disease Sickle cell disease is an inherited condition that deforms the red blood cells. Instead of being round and supple, they become elongated and rigid, which can block circulation and cause painful crises. You may notice: … View the explanations
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Systemic lupus erythematosus is the best-known form of lupus, in which the immune system attacks several organs at the same time: skin, joints, kidneys, heart. Each person has their own picture. This can mean: very si… View the explanations
• Type 1 diabetes Type 1 diabetes is a pancreas that no longer makes insulin, the hormone that regulates sugar in the blood. The person has to supply it every day, by injection or pump, and monitor their blood sugar constantly. Day to day… View the explanations
• Type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes is a body that no longer uses well the insulin it makes. Sugar builds up in the blood and gradually damages the vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys if it is not kept in check. This often involves: attent… View the explanations
• Ulcerative colitis Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the large intestine. It moves through flare-ups, with calm periods and phases where the symptoms become very heavy. You may notice: frequent diarrhoea, sometimes bloody,… View the explanations

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