Open AccessRare diseases: Challenges and resources
Author(s) -
Isaac D. Montoya
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of nursing education and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1925-4059
pISSN - 1925-4040
DOI - 10.5430/jnep.v1n1p1
Subject(s) - affect (linguistics) , rare disease , disease , medicine , intensive care medicine , population , environmental health , psychology , pathology , communication
Today rare diseases affect millions of people, of all ages, around the world. However, there are countless others who are affected or at risk but remain undiagnosed and unaware of their disease. Rare diseases are frequently serious and life altering while many are life threatening or fatal. By definition rare diseases affect a relatively small population, making it a challenge to develop drugs and medical devices that prevent, diagnose, and treat these diseases. Scientists have found that rare diseases are usually genetic and chronic