It turns out that the presence of parasites in the brain is not as rare in medical practice as it might seem at first glance. The diseases that they cause are considered especially dangerous, and the consequences are very sad. The success of treatment depends on the stage of the identified ailment. Incorrectly selected therapy leads to the death of the individual.
How parasites enter the human brain
There is a whole chain that begins in the external environment and ends with the brain:
- The larva enters the intestines from the environment. Under the influence of enzymatic substances, it is released from the membrane and eats through the intestinal wall.
- Next, the parasite enters the circulating blood and lymph.
- With a blood stream, the helminth is carried throughout the body, including the brain.
Helminth diseases
Unfortunately, only in the later stages are pathologies caused by parasites in the human brain diagnosed. Symptoms that concern the individual are manifested in the form of constant fatigue, headache. People simply do not pay attention to them and postpone the visit to the doctor, losing valuable time. Parasites do not travel randomly in the brain, they form focal bubbles, the size of which is no more than the size of a walnut. They live in them. Often diagnosed with the following ailments:
- Cysticercosis - larvae of pork tapeworm are considered the culprits of this condition. In the brain parasites penetrate in seventy percent of cases of infection with this helminth. Parasites live in the so-called bubbles, called cysticerci.
They are located in the cortex, pia mater, as well as in the cerebrospinal fluid of the ventricles. You can get infected by eating pork meat cooked in violation of the culinary processing.
- Echinococcosis or in another way it is called human brain alveococcosis. According to medical statistics, such a pathology develops only in two percent of all cases of infection with chains. In a patient, capsules are formed in the brain containing one or more compartments in which the parasite lives. The formation of such capsules contributes to the occurrence of inflammatory and tumor processes. The brain substance softens in places where there are capsules. Treatment is carried out by surgery. Otherwise, death occurs.
Causes of Disease
The causes of cysticercosis and echinococcosis are different. The causative agent of the first disease is porcine tapeworm larva. The development of the disease occurs after the parasite's eggs enter the digestive tract through unwashed foods or dirty hands.
The occurrence of echinococcosis is provoked by tapeworms that enter the body of an individual. The penetration of the parasite occurs through the use of human infected meat.
Signs of cysticercosis
Parasites in the brain that cause cysticercosis cause the following syndromes:
- Mental - the patient has emotional instability, agitation is replaced by depression, frequent mood swings. Delusions and hallucinations occur with deep brain damage. In some cases, orientation and memory are impaired.
- Toxic - intoxication is manifested by nausea, vomiting, fever, headaches and weakness.
- Brunsa - it is characterized by a forced position of the head, vomiting, severe headache that occurs sporadically. Disturbed breathing and palpitations. In rare cases, the patient may lose consciousness.
- Neurological - cellular nerves are affected. As a result, paresis, speech impairment, convulsive epileptic seizures, a sensation of creeping goosebumps occur. The development of epileptic status is not ruled out.
- Hypertensive hydrocephalic - caused by pressure of blisters on the brain. As a result, the patient develops tinnitus, impaired vision, strabismus, and headaches.
Symptoms of alveococcosis (echinococcosis)
The clinical picture of alveococcosis caused by parasites in the brain is as follows:
- vomiting
- vision problems;
- epileptic seizures;
- muscle weakness;
- Depression
- hallucinations;
- rave;
- dementia.
Other diseases caused by parasites
Neurological diseases, neoplasms in the spinal cord and brain cause toxoplasma parasite. The disease affects both neurons of the spinal cord and brain, causing their death. As a result, the individual has polyneuropathy. The proliferation of daughter toxoplasma leads to the formation of a tumor.
Helminth larvae also contribute to the development of brain pathologies. With the penetration of parasites into the brain, the photo of which is presented in the article, the individual shows signs of damage to the central nervous system - paralysis, epileptic seizures, constant headaches. In the capillaries of the brain of people prone to neurological pathologies, larvae of parasites such as toxocar, roundworms, strong glides were found. Their accumulation:
- near the outer shells of the brain contributes to the development of meningoencephalitis;
- deep in the cerebral fissures - convulsions, seizures, paralysis, loss of consciousness;
- near the auditory or optic nerve - deafness and blindness.
Parasites in the human brain
The main part of helminths enters the brain tissue by falling into the skull box with the flow of blood of larvae or eggs. Some parasites die immediately, while others develop and grow, causing serious abnormal processes in the human body. Among them:
- Amoeba - you can get infected, not only violating hygiene rules, but also while swimming in rivers and lakes. The lack of treatment for the disease caused by amoeba ends in death.
- Tapeworm. With improper culinary processing of meat, worms enter the human body, including the brain. As a result, infection with tapeworm or echinococcus occurs.
- Toxoplasmosis - the full development of this microorganism is possible only in the cat's body. The individual is an intermediate host. Infection occurs if personal hygiene rules are not followed.
- Ascaris - usually these parasites attack the intestines.
However, they feel good in other organs of the individual, including in the brain tissue.
Common symptoms of parasites in the brain
For a long period, the disease is asymptomatic. The severity of the clinical picture depends on the damage to the brain of the individual. The following are signs of the disease that occur when helminths enter the brain tissue:
- deterioration in visual acuity and hearing;
- epileptic seizures;
- apathy;
- psychomotor disorders;
- fast fatiguability;
- depressive state;
- persistent nausea, vomiting;
- hallucinations;
- increased irritability;
- drowsiness.
In a neglected state, paralysis, paresis of limbs, and disorientation of space develop.
Pharmacotherapy
For the treatment of diseases caused by parasites living in the human brain, medications are recommended that promote the elimination of both helminths and toxic substances. The following medicines are recognized as the most effective, according to practicing doctors:
- "Mebendazole", "Vermox" - have a wide spectrum of action. They deplete glycogen stores in parasite tissues, slow down the production of ATP, and interfere with the synthesis of cell tubulin.
- "Praziquantel", "Biltricid" - contribute to the death of helminths.
- "Albendazole", "Nemozol" - inhibit the laying of eggs and the development of parasite larvae.
All of the above anthelmintic medicines are toxic, they destroy the brain, liver and kidneys of the individual. After treatment with these drugs, restorative therapy is required using the following drugs on a natural basis:
- "Vitanorm."
- "Fomidan."
- Bactrum.
- Maxifarm.
- Tsimed.
Natural preparations help cleanse the body, including the brain from various parasites. As a result, the degree of intoxication decreases, stress resistance and working capacity increase, and the immune system is strengthened. The doctor selects the course of treatment individually.
Preventive actions
In order to prevent the penetration of parasites into the human brain, safety precautions must be observed:
- Wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly before eating.
- Undergo regular examinations of pets, as well as give means to prevent infection with helminths.
- Do not drink water without cleaning or boiling.
- Heat the meat and fish before using them in food.
- Wash hands using soap after visiting the sanitary room.
- Do not contact stray animals.
- Do wet cleaning regularly.
Conclusion
The brain of the individual is considered the most impregnable place for pathogenic bacteria. A defender stands in the way of him - this is the blood-brain barrier. However, parasites that can cause serious ailments are known to have infiltrated the brain: neurocysticercosis (common in Asia, Latin America and Central Africa), primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (very rarely diagnosed), toxoplasmosis (especially dangerous for pregnant women and individuals with low immunity) . For diagnosis, CT, NMR, allergological and serological blood tests are performed. Surgical treatment is used to remove foci of parasites.