Conditions that cannot be cured (2024)

Despite advances in modern medicine, sometimes medical conditions cannot be fixed. An advanced, progressive or terminal illness is an incurable, life-limiting condition that is likely to cause a person of any age to die within days, weeks, months or sometimes more than a year.

Dying is an inevitable part of life, but no two end of life situations are the same as death and dying are uniquely personal experiences.

If you have an illness that cannot be cured and will lead to the end of your life, the focus of care will shift from aiming to cure to ensuring you have the best possible quality of life.

This means a focus on:

  • symptom control
  • independence
  • emotional, spiritual and cultural wellbeing
  • planning for the future.

This is not just for people in the last days of life. Care at the end of life can be provided for a few weeks or months, or extended over several years.

It is available for everyone regardless of age, culture, background, beliefs or where you live.

Some of the common medical conditions of people requiring care at the end of life include:

  • cancer
  • dementia, including Alzheimer's disease
  • advanced lung, heart, kidney and liver disease
  • stroke and other neurological diseases, including motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis
  • Huntington’s disease
  • muscular dystrophy
  • HIV/AIDS
  • other degenerative or deteriorating conditions relating to ageing.

Find more information about treatment and care towards the end of life.

Use this tool to search for more information about specific conditions.

Care providers

People who may provide care at the end of life include:

  • doctors, including general practitioners, palliative care specialists and other specialist doctors
  • nurses, including general and specialised nurses in the community, hospitals, palliative care units, residential aged care facilities and hospices
  • allied health professionals, including social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, pharmacists, dietitians, speech pathologists and leisure therapists
  • family members and informal carers
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers
  • support workers, such as assistants in nursing, personal care attendants and diversional therapists
  • pastoral carers/chaplains from different religious, spiritual and cultural backgrounds
  • volunteers.

Planning ahead

Advance care planning is a process of planning now for future health and personal care so your values, beliefs and preferences are made known. This can help guide future decision-making if you cannot make or communicate your decisions.

Advance care planning is entirely voluntary.

It is important to carry out advance care planning before an urgent issue arises.

Find more information about planning and decisions for the end of life.

Last updated:
16 April 2018
Conditions that cannot be cured (2024)

FAQs

Conditions that cannot be cured? ›

Which disease has no cure? There's no known cure for many conditions, including several on the list of the deadliest diseases. This also includes conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy.

What diseases cannot be cured? ›

Which disease has no cure? There's no known cure for many conditions, including several on the list of the deadliest diseases. This also includes conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy.

What rare disease Cannot be cured? ›

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS)

HGPS is an extremely rare disease that has a frequency of one in four million. Since 1886, only 130 cases have been reported in scientific literature. Currently, there is no known cure for this condition. Patients affected by this condition appear to age at an early age.

What is the hardest chronic illness to live with? ›

Here's a list of debilitating diseases that significantly change the lives of millions of people:
  1. Alzheimer's and Dementia.
  2. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) – Lou Gherig's Disease. ...
  3. Parkinson's Disease. ...
  4. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) ...
  5. Scleroderma. ...
  6. Cystic Fibrosis. ...
  7. Chronic Obstructive Pulminary Disease (COPD) ...
  8. Cerebral Palsy. ...

What is an example of a non curable disease? ›

Most of the cancerous conditions and chronic illness (NCDs) can be deemed as incurable though can be managed and controlled. WHO among infectious diseases classifies HIV infection, Hepatitis B, Rabies and progressive Neurological diseases etc. as incurable diseases.

Which disease is not completely curable? ›

But AIDS which is caused by Human Immunodeficiency virus cannot be cured.

What is the deadliest disease in the world? ›

Ischemic heart disease, or coronary artery disease

The deadliest disease in the world is coronary artery disease (CAD). Also known as ischemic heart disease, CAD occurs when the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart become narrowed. Untreated CAD can lead to chest pain, heart failure, and arrhythmias.

What is the rarest disorder? ›

This is considered to be the rarest disease in the world. Ribose-5-Phosphate Isomerase (RPI), is a crucial enzyme in a metabolic process in the human body. This condition can cause muscle stiffness, seizures, and reduction of white matter in the brain.

What diseases don't exist anymore? ›

The world has successfully eradicated two diseases:
  • Smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980.
  • Rinderpest was declared eradicated in 2011.

What is the most difficult disease to diagnose? ›

Top 10 Hard-to-Diagnose Diseases
  • Ischemic bowel. ...
  • Sleep apnea and post-op hypoventilation. ...
  • Compartment syndrome. ...
  • Perforated or injured bowel post procedure. ...
  • Appendicitis. ...
  • Sepsis. ...
  • Lessons Learned.
  • Potential Damages. Failure to diagnose or delays in diagnosis are common causes of lawsuits against physicians.

What is the most feared health condition? ›

Adults in the US fear Alzheimer's disease more than cancer, stroke, and heart disease combined. Today, more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's and related dementias, and that number is projected to skyrocket in coming years.

What is the most painful incurable disease? ›

In fact, CRPS is known as the world's most painful incurable condition. In the United States, it is referred to as the “suicide disease” as it can lead sufferers to resort to suicide as the only means to escape the huge pain that they bear.

What is the #1 chronic disease? ›

Number 1: Hypertension (high blood pressure)

The danger of hypertension is not only that you can have it for years and not know it, but it can cause other serious health conditions, like stroke and heart attacks. Steps you can take to prevent or reduce high blood pressure: Maintaina healthy weight.

What do you call an illness that cannot be cured? ›

A terminal illness is an illness or condition which cannot be cured and is likely to lead to someone's death. It's sometimes called a life-limiting illness.

Which cannot be cured is called? ›

incurable adjective (DISEASE)

not able to be cured: incurable disease Parkinson's disease is a debilitating and incurable disease of the nervous system.

What is no disease in the body? ›

By “non-disease” we meant “a human process or problem that some have defined as a medical condition but where people may have better outcomes if the problem or process was not defined in that way.” This exercise prompted an internal debate about whether we were insulting those who might regard themselves as having what ...

What are the six killer diseases? ›

Of great importance to public and child health are the vaccines against the so-called six killer diseases of childhood-measles, pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, tuberculosis and poliomyelitis.

What STDs are not curable? ›

Viruses such as HIV, genital herpes, human papillomavirus, hepatitis, and cytomegalovirus cause STDs/STIs that cannot be cured. People with an STI caused by a virus will be infected for life and will always be at risk of infecting their sexual partners.

What is the most curable disease? ›

The most curable cancers in the United States are cancers of the thyroid, breast, prostate, testes, and skin. These types of cancer are considered most treatable when diagnosed in the early stages. Cancer curability is often measured by the 5-year survival rate.

Top Articles
Ex Works - Meaning, Incoterms, Examples, Advantages, Vs FOB
How to Get into UPenn - A Guide To Ivy League Admissions [UPDATED] | Powerful Prep
Chambersburg star athlete JJ Kelly makes his college decision, and he’s going DI
Frank Lloyd Wright, born 150 years ago, still fascinates
Workday Latech Edu
360 Training Alcohol Final Exam Answers
Pbr Wisconsin Baseball
1TamilMV.prof: Exploring the latest in Tamil entertainment - Ninewall
Craigslistdaytona
Day Octopus | Hawaii Marine Life
Was sind ACH-Routingnummern? | Stripe
Red Heeler Dog Breed Info, Pictures, Facts, Puppy Price & FAQs
Knaben Pirate Download
Purple Crip Strain Leafly
Walmart Windshield Wiper Blades
Skyward Login Jennings County
Uky Linkblue Login
Officialmilarosee
Persona 4 Golden Taotie Fusion Calculator
Kamzz Llc
Dallas Craigslist Org Dallas
The best firm mattress 2024, approved by sleep experts
Bernie Platt, former Cherry Hill mayor and funeral home magnate, has died at 90
Att.com/Myatt.
Ppm Claims Amynta
Dtlr Duke St
Naval Academy Baseball Roster
Discord Nuker Bot Invite
Receptionist Position Near Me
Rgb Bird Flop
Www Mydocbill Rada
J&R Cycle Villa Park
Life Insurance Policies | New York Life
Indiana Jones 5 Showtimes Near Jamaica Multiplex Cinemas
Average weekly earnings in Great Britain
Bozjan Platinum Coins
Suspect may have staked out Trump's golf course for 12 hours before the apparent assassination attempt
3302577704
Wal-Mart 140 Supercenter Products
US-amerikanisches Fernsehen 2023 in Deutschland schauen
844 386 9815
Eat Like A King Who's On A Budget Copypasta
Noga Funeral Home Obituaries
Bridgeport Police Blotter Today
Sinai Sdn 2023
Server Jobs Near
Mcoc Black Panther
Dlnet Deltanet
Parks And Rec Fantasy Football Names
Intuitive Astrology with Molly McCord
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Roderick King

Last Updated:

Views: 6076

Rating: 4 / 5 (51 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Roderick King

Birthday: 1997-10-09

Address: 3782 Madge Knoll, East Dudley, MA 63913

Phone: +2521695290067

Job: Customer Sales Coordinator

Hobby: Gunsmithing, Embroidery, Parkour, Kitesurfing, Rock climbing, Sand art, Beekeeping

Introduction: My name is Roderick King, I am a cute, splendid, excited, perfect, gentle, funny, vivacious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.