Repetitive Decapitation Syndrome
Repetitive Decapitation Syndrome (RDS) is a rare non-communicable lifestyle-induced disease, occurring most frequently in individuals who partake in excessive and repetitive recreational decapitation. RDS is marked by symptoms involving neurological disturbances and numbness of the extremities. RDS, if left untreated and if exacerbated, can ultimately be fatal. With proper treatment and lifestyle alterations, RDS sufferers are able to lead a relatively normal life free of significant debilitating life-altering symptoms.
RDS can be prevented either by abstaining from recreational decapitation, or by avoiding undergoing recreational decapitations more frequently than once in 70 DU in order to allow full healing and a complete medical recovery from the prior recreational decapitation experience before the next decapitation takes place. RDS risk is reduced significantly when recapitation is performed expeditiously following the recreational decapitation. Using a genuine safety guillotine can also reduce the incidence of complications from a recreational decapitation such as RDS. Recreational Decapitation Syndrome patients are strongly discouraged from partaking in further recreational decapitation to avoid exacerbation of the condition.
Minor symptoms of Repetitive Decapitation Syndrome can include tingling in the extremities and temporary loss of fine motor control. More significant symptoms include a variable heart rate, difficulty controlling respiration, and temporary paralysis of the arms or legs. Major symptoms can occasionally include enlarged neck perforations and painful, infection-prone lesions on the neck. In the most severe cases, RDS patients might suffer from spontaneous decapitation, a condition which may become terminal if not treated immediately. If an RDS sufferer notices that their head has fallen off, they are encouraged by Department of Health and Wellbeing (DHW) authorities to contact emergency medical services immediately and to pack the head with ice to reduce internal temperature for better preservation of the cerebral cortex. Under no circumstances should a victim of spontaneous decapitation attempt to reattach the head without proper medical assistance.
Emergency recapitations performed on RDS patients have a lower level of success than those performed immediately following a recreational decapitation. However, thanks to recent medical advances, RDS patients experiencing spontaneous decapitation now experience a survival rate exceeding 55%.
Repetitive Decapitation Syndrome has received increased media attention following analysis of statistics finding RDS is one of the leading causes of preventable death among some demographics. Nearly all recreational decapitation providers volunteer to heavy scrutiny by the Office of Death and Dismemberment (ODD) in addition to the agency's standard level of regulatory oversight. The ODD regulates all forms of recreational dismemberment including recreational decapitation because of the high risk involved in the activities.
Recreational decapitation providers such as Society for Recreational Decapitation note that, theoretically, it is entirely possible for dismemberment enthusiasts to undergo a nearly-limitless number of recreational decapitations so long as they subscribe to a generous resting period between procedures. It is quite unusual for an individual to take part in decapitation experiences even with this limited frequency, however, due to the high prices charged by recreational decapitation providers, which most Illuminatians find exorbitant on an average income.