9 Terrifying Diseases That Turn Your Life Into A Horror Movie

3. Stone Man Syndrome

There are plenty of myths and legends over the years that involve a person being turned to stone. From the myths of Medusa and the basilisk, to The Legend of Zelda, this has been a terrifying prospect for humanity for thousands of years.

It is, however, a reality for those with Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva, or Stone Man Syndrome, an incredibly rare genetic condition that causes bone to form in muscles, tendons, ligaments and other connective tissues.

It is thought to be a mutation in the body's repair system, which causes any injured tissue to be "healed" as bone. Injuries to joints and muscles cause them to seize up altogether, and attempts to remove bone growth surgically only results in the production of more bone. Eventually, the cartilage between the ribs becomes ossified, making it difficult to breathe, and patients often suffocate.