What is a tapeworm infection and who is at risk?

According to a recent report, hundreds of tapeworms were found in a man's brain and chest, after doctors looked into the matter when he complained of headaches and seizures. The tapeworms reportedly originated from the eggs of a piece of underc-ooked pork that the man ate.  

A 43-year-old Chinese man ate pork that he said, “he was unsure about”. The under-cooked meat was contaminated with a parasitic tapeworm, Taenia Solium. However, he obviously did not expect to be infected by such an infection. What is a tapeworm infection, and who could be at a higher risk of contracting the infection? Here is what you need to know.

Tapeworm infection is caused by ingesting food or water that is contaminated with tapeworm eggs or larvae, as it happened when the 43-year-old man consumed under-cooked meat that apparently carried the parasite tapeworm eggs. When you ingest the eggs, they can move outside your intestines and form cysts in almost any place in your body. However, if you ingest the larvae, they develop into adult tapeworms inside your intestines itself and do not move to other organs in the body. 

This categorises the tapeworm infection into two types – intestinal tapeworm and invasive infection. 
The causes of tapeworm infection include ingestion of eggs or ingestion of larvae cysts in meat. However, some people may be at a greater risk of contracting the infection than others. Here are some risk factors, that can elevate the risk of a tapeworm infection.

Improper hygiene

Not washing your hands before you eat, not bathing regularly, etc can increase your risk of not just the tapeworm infection, but in fact, any communicable disease. You must practice proper hygiene to reduce your risk to a minimum.

Travelling or living in places with poor sanitation

Poor sanitation around you like defecating in open spaces can increase your risk of contracting the tapeworm infection. The infection is rare in developed countries, and more spread in developing countries due to this reason. If you live or are travelling to a place with poor sanitation, it is important to take proper care to reduce your risk.

Eating raw or under-cooked meat

Tapeworms, larvae, and eggs are widely present in meat, especially pork. Eating raw, or under-cooked meat can put you at a higher risk of the tapeworm infection. You must ensure that the meat is hygienic, fresh, and cooked properly before you consume it.

Living or travelling to endemic areas

The risk of tapeworm infection is more in certain areas of the world. People living or travelling to China, Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia should be very cautious and take precautions. Free-range pigs in such areas are more common, which increases the risk.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
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Parasites That Could be Infecting You Right Now

Being infested with parasites is something that you associate with people from faraway places. However, parasites that infect humans are a lot more common than you think. To add to this, a lot of them have no symptoms either, so a person can go years without knowing they’re infected.
Around 60% of the world’s population has at least one parasite in them right now. That’s correct, there’s more than a 50/50 chance that you have one inside you right now. Below you’ll find 8 common asymptomatic parasites that could be a lot nearer to you than you could ever have imagined.

 

1. Tapeworms

Do you like to eat you steak rare? Well, tapeworms, which can grow up to 15 meters long, get inside their human hosts from raw or undercooked meats. These parasites love to live in peoples’ intestines and are transferred from animals, mostly cows and pigs. This happens either through the consumption of infected meat or unwashed veggies.

If you digest a tapeworm larva, it can live inside you for almost 30 years, feasting off your intestinal wall. The tapeworm’s eggs can be dangerous as they can develop into cysts on vital organs.

2. Liver Flukes

These parasites infect the bile duct and liver. One way that they can infect a human is through the consumption of undercooked freshwater fish that share the same environment. Mature flukes will cause chronic inflammation of the bile ducts, leading to gallstones. While the majority of liver fluke infections appear in developing countries, there have been cases in California, Florida, and Hawaii.

3. Hookworms

Hookworms enter their human host through the feet, sometimes leaving itchy rashes at their entry point. They will then travel along the bloodstream until they reach the lungs. Once at the lungs, they irritate the lung tissue enough that the infected host starts coughing them up. If they then get swallowed, the hookworm has reached its desired home: the small intestine.
This parasite is more prominent in poor countries as it’s can be easily transferred from person to person through feces. If infected feces isn’t managed properly or spread in the soil, it can easily affect others.  Being infected by hookworms can cause lethargy and mental incapacity.

4. Pinworms

These parasites can be spread very easily, and are the most common parasite in North America. The live on the human anus, so it only takes one scratch, and then anything that person touches will be covered in pinworm eggs. If someone swallows an egg, they’ll become infected. Pinworm infections are mostly found in children, but they can easily affect anyone who has been exposed to them.

5. Ascariasis

This is a roundworm infestation that attacks the small intestine. It is usually spread through undercooked meat or exposure to human feces, but it can also be spread by direct contact with a contaminated human.

Children are at higher risk of getting infected as they have a greater tendency to stick their hands in their mouths. They can cause bloated stomachs and pain, but mostly they just live in your stomach until they are ready to be expelled from the body.

6. Echinococcus Granulosus

Our canine friends can give us this parasite which will slowly grow inside its human host for years. This is a tapeworm-like larva that create cyst-like lesions on the liver or in the lungs.

7. Trichinosis

This is a roundworm infestation that usually occurs after eating undercooked or raw meat. It’s mostly found in boar or pig meat. Once this larva enters the intestines, it will start to develop into a mature worm, which will produce more larvae that can eat through muscles and other body tissues. A large infestation of these parasites can cause intestinal pain and diarrhea.

8. Toxoplasma Gondii

This parasite can be found in nearly a third of the world’s population. Its main aim is to be in the guts of a cat, and how it reaches its goal is quite fascinating. It will infect rats and mice that have been exposed to cat feces, and then it will travel to the rodent’s brain and get rid of their natural fear of cats. Therefore, instead of running away, the rodent seeks out a cat and promptly gets eaten. The parasite then ends up in the cat’s gut.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement        

 

The Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds

After buying a pumpkin, most people would clean out the seeds, dispose of them, and keep the flesh, and that’s a terrible waste. Pumpkin seeds are not only edible; they’re incredibly healthy and make for a delicious snack. Pumpkin seeds are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, many nutrients, proteins, minerals and vitamins. They can help lower your blood pressure, bolster your immune system and help in preventing cancer. The seeds are also rich in antioxidants, making them a powerful antiaging addition to your diet. The high levels of iron and magnesium are incredible energy-boosters, making perfect for pre or post-workout snacking. They help prevent the formation of kidney stones and are an excellent source for zinc, potassium and phosphorus. If that’s not enough, pumpkin seeds are useful at destroying tapeworms and roundworms, as well as boosting fertility levels.

Other benefits of pumpkin seeds Prevents constipation and promotes a healthy digestive system. Prevents premature aging and promotes longevity. Prevents kidney stones and osteoporosis. Reduces the risk of cancer, prostate, and diabetes. Reduces symptoms of asthma, arthritis, anxiety, and depression. Reduces bad cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease and stroke. Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol level. Improves your brain function and memory. Boosts immune system and bone density. Boosts your energy and mood.

Preparing pumpkin seeds: Clean the seeds - You have to clean the seeds meticulously until there are no signs of pumpkin guts. The best way to do this is to put the seeds & guts into a big bowl of water and break it apart with your hands. The seeds will float to the top. Let it simmer for 10 minutes in salt water – Put the clean seeds in boiled water with 1tsp of salt and let it simmer for 10 minutes. This makes the seeds easier to digest. Drain the seeds and dry them out – they don’t have to be completely dry, but it’s recommended. Spread seeds on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil – Make sure they’re finely coated in oil and add a light sprinkle of salt. Then spread them and try avoiding the seeds from overlapping each other. Roast seeds at 325F for 10 minutes - Remove from oven and stir. Roast for another 8-10 minutes. During the last 5 minutes of roasting, open a few seeds to make sure that they’re not burning. Make sure they don’t brown.

Tips to remember: When preparing a pumpkin, save the seeds. Add chopped pumpkin seeds to cereal. Make sure the seeds are dry when roasting them. Add pumpkin seeds to smoothies. Refrigerate in an air tight container when not consumed.    THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES. PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG- HTTP:GSEASYRECIPES.BLOGSPOT.COM/   FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG- HTTP://KNEE REPLACEMENT-STICK CLUB.BLOGSPOT.COM/ FOR CROCHET DESIGNS HTTP://MY CROCHET CREATIONS.BLOGSPOT.COM