How Do You Know if You Have a Tapeworm in Your Stomach
Abdominal pain
Pain in the abdomen—often described as a abrupt and shooting pain that extends for long periods of time—could betoken that you have a parasitic infection. Your doctor can rule information technology out with a simple blood or stool test. He or she should too perform a physical exam. Learn about the parasite millions of Americans are exposed to.
Worms in your stool
One of the freakiest symptoms that can happen, equally the tapeworm infection really takes hold, is the advent of larvae in your stool. "Patients may find $.25 or whole worms in their stool or sense the movement of them through the anus," says Niket Sonpal MD, associate programme director of the Internal Medicine Residency at Brookdale Infirmary Medical Middle in Brooklyn and an assistant professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine. "Most of my patients will call the role and at that place volition be panic. It is disturbing but does brand the diagnosis much easier."
Fatigue
Some people with tapeworm report developing unusual fatigue, which could be caused by loss of nutrients and the battle your body is waging against parasitic infection. Acquire about the scary parasitic health threat you lot need to know near if you are visiting Florida.
Vitamin deficiency
If you have a tapeworm, you're basically eating for two; tapeworms will siphon off some of your nutrients. And so a examination that reveals anemia or B12 deficiencies may be the first sign that you're infected. "In the instance of D. latum, it has an affinity for vitamin B12 and therefore competes with the person infected for absorption," says Dr. Sonpal. "And so in these patients, B12 deficiency and anemia can happen."
Seizures
Some species of tapeworm can travel outside of the digestive tract and terminate upwardly wreaking havoc on other torso systems—including the eyes and brain. "One of the about surprising symptoms is seizures if it invades the brain," says Afonso Ribeiro, MD. Medical Director, Avant-garde Endoscopy and Gastroenterology, with Memorial Healthcare System in Hollywood, Florida. That complication is called neurocysticercosis, and can also present as headaches. This infection is caused past the pork tapeworm.
Loftier white blood cell count
A blood test could offer one of the most significant clues that it'due south a parasite that's to blame. "The one giveaway that makes me think 'parasite' is on blood tests, eosinophils may be elevated. These are white claret cells that assail parasites," Dr. Sonpal says. "Combine that with a travel history and I am very suspicious." Don't miss these xv signs your body's in big problem.
Craving dirt or table salt
Strange but true—a tapeworm could have you craving something not-so-edible, like dirt. "Salt or clay craving, also chosen pica, can exist a sign but, again, in that location other more than mutual conditions that can cause that," says Dr. Ribeiro. See the craziest medical cases doctors have seen on the job.
Weight loss
Tapeworms can grow to hundreds of feet in length—and can deprive your body of nutrients every bit they abound. And so if yous're losing weight without trying, it's time to see the doctor. "Weight loss and change in bowel habits can be apropos," says Donald Tsynman, MD, of NewYork-Presbyterian in the New York metropolitan region.
Nausea and loss of appetite
Not feeling particularly hungry? Tapeworms tin can cause yous to feel ill and lose your appetite, due to irritation in your bowels, warns Dr. Tsynman. In some cases, parasites can even induce vomiting or diarrhea in patients. Here are nine silent signs you're non taking care of yourself.
Liver harm
Tapeworm larvae tin escape into the liver and develop into cysts, says Dr. Sonpal. If the parasites proceed to grow, they can reduce claret supply to the healthy parts of the liver and impair liver function overall. Larn the silent signs you could have a parasite.
Intestinal blockage
As a tapeworm becomes larger and takes up more of the digestive organization, it can end upwardly leading to blockages in the digestive system, says Dr. Sonpal. For instance, it could cake off the appendix or block bile and pancreatic ducts. If ducts become blocked, y'all could develop jaundice—a yellowing of the skin that'south due to a buildup of bilirubin in the blood—or pancreatitis. Abdominal blockage tin besides cause constipation while pancreatitis involves severe abdominal pain.
No symptoms at all
One of the scariest things about parasites similar tapeworms is that you may have no symptoms at all. In other words. "The exact percentages of tapeworms that are asymptomatic are not fully known, but information technology is accustomed that the majority of patients will be asymptomatic," Dr. Sonpal says. "This is considering while the parasite is growing and making its human relationship over your intestines strong, it's quiet."
Sources
- Niket Sonpal, MD, acquaintance program director of the Internal Medicine Residency at Brookdale Infirmary Medical Heart, Brooklyn, NY.
- Afonso Ribeiro, Doc, Medical Director, Advanced Endoscopy and Gastroenterology, with Memorial Healthcare Organization, Hollywood, FL.
- Donald Tsynman, MD, NewYork-Presbyterian in New York City.
Medically reviewed by
Originally Published: September 27, 2019
Source: https://www.thehealthy.com/digestive-health/signs-you-have-tapeworm/
Belum ada Komentar untuk "How Do You Know if You Have a Tapeworm in Your Stomach"
Posting Komentar