Solving the Mystery of Darwin’s Lifelong Illness

Charles Darwin had a great mind, but a not-so great body. Scientists have spent years trying to uncover the mysteries of his poor health.

Written by: Jill Teige
Hosted by: Michael Aranda

----------
----------
Dooblydoo thanks go to the following Patreon supporters: Jerry Perez, Lazarus G, Kelly Landrum Jones, Sam Lutfi, Kevin Knupp, Nicholas Smith, D.A. Noe, alexander wadsworth, سلطان الخليفي, Piya Shedden, KatieMarie Magnone, Scott Satovsky Jr, Charles Southerland, Bader AlGhamdi, James Harshaw, Patrick D. Ashmore, Candy, Tim Curwick, charles george, Saul, Mark Terrio-Cameron, Viraansh Bhanushali, Kevin Bealer, Philippe von Bergen, Chris Peters, Justin Lentz
----------
Looking for SciShow elsewhere on the internet?
----------
Sources:

[AlturiigosWritingBlockBlogspot]

As someone diagnosed with CVS, it's a little comforting to see a wider acknowledgement of in scientific communities. Growing up there was, and probably still is, debate over whether it is a real condition.

[BadgerOWesley]

How is that extreme? He took extensive notes and died never knowing what was causing him so much pain his whole life. We owe it to his memory and medicine to exhume him and solve the puzzle.

[JC]

"Which seems a bit extreme." I'm not sure. I think that sounds like something Darwin would appreciate if he were still around.

[brantwedel]

Just remember: "It's never lupus, until it is"

[Robocatpat]

Wow, this video helped determine the diagnosis of a friend who has suffered from CVS since childhood. For years we just assumed it was stress and never looked into treatment! Thanks, SciShow!

[mollyc]

i was diagnosed with CVS at 2 and i’m 19 now and i watch this when i’m in an episode and it really makes me feel like i’m not alone

[ashknoecklein]

I had CVS for years in my twenties. I definitely felt a compulsion to drink water, which would always end with more vomiting. It's because you get so dehydrated after throwing up for days. I had to really curb the urge to drink, because it never helped. Baths did help though. Lying in a lukewarm bath would be one of the few things that would ease my symptoms temporarily. These episodes usually ended with me in the ER getting an IV of saline and anti-emetics. I wish I could say that there was one definite thing that stopped the cycle. It took a lot of going to lots of doctors, and it slowly got better. Talk therapy was definitely a factor.

[johnbagel]

Geeez he really did not have a fun time.

[MrRatgirl]

It's amazing to see how much science has changed since i was diagnosed in the eairly 90's. My mom was told that i have CVS and they did not know much about it at all except it may be passed down from the mother. Now whenever i hear about CVS they describe me in more detail and so much more about my childhood makes sense. Thank you Sci Show.

[sebastianelytron]

Nice to see SciShow _evolving_ to new and diverse topics!

[DesolatorMagic]

Wow, the CVS company didn't do their research before opening their drug stores then, huh? lol

[coolguy]

mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell

[alanamuir]

Could also be Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, with some of the common comorbid disorders like gastroparesis, POTS, and chiari malformation. But he would likely have had more reported injuries from that.

[bluestrife]

His voice is so soothing. I think ima binge Michael vids next time I need to relax and learn.

[chapaify]

Aranda:"....exhume his body for tests"
Me:*reaching for nearest shovel*
Aranda:", which seems a bit extreme"
Me: oh nvm then

[poorplayer]

1:06 My mother did that too. Then I was born.

[KatieNelfa]

my mother has had cvs for as long as i can remember and she passed it onto me but nobody ever talks about it and it is so refreshing for this video to mention it

[jessicakathleenbutler]

I feel like Darwin would be all for running tests on his corpse to find an explanation, or even just to test theories on possible explanations.

[echelonk]

Dig him up! I'm sure he won't mind.

[berglettemom]

Michael always does such a professional job in these videos.