{"id":1706,"date":"2024-03-14T15:34:38","date_gmt":"2024-03-14T15:34:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthyretirementnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/14\/doctors-identify-source-of-mans-migraines-tapeworm-larvae-likely-from-undercooked-bacon-in-his-brain\/"},"modified":"2024-03-14T15:34:38","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T15:34:38","slug":"doctors-identify-source-of-mans-migraines-tapeworm-larvae-likely-from-undercooked-bacon-in-his-brain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthyretirementnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/14\/doctors-identify-source-of-mans-migraines-tapeworm-larvae-likely-from-undercooked-bacon-in-his-brain\/","title":{"rendered":"Doctors identify source of man\u2019s migraines: tapeworm larvae, likely from undercooked bacon, in his brain"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A Florida man with worsening migraines was found to have parasitic tapeworm larvae in his brain, according to a report published this month in the American Journal of Case Reports. Doctors believe that the tapeworm infection originated from his habit of eating undercooked bacon. <\/p>\n

The unidentified 52-year-old initially went to see the doctor because his migraines had suddenly worsened over four months. They were happening almost weekly, were very painful and were not responding to migraine medications, according to the report. <\/p>\n

His doctor ordered a CT scan, which showed multiple cysts \u2013 fluid-filled sacs \u2013 throughout his brain. Initially suspecting that he may have a rare neurologic condition called congenital neuroglial cysts, doctors admitted him to an Orlando hospital to consult with neurosurgery. <\/p>\n

Further labs and imaging at the hospital showed that the cysts were parasitic tapeworm \ufefflarvae that had taken up residence in his brain and caused an infection called neurocysticercosis, the report said. <\/p>\n

Cysticercosis is a parasitic tissue infection that happens when a person swallows tapeworm eggs from the feces of a person who has intestinal tapeworm. The tapeworm eggs then become larval cysts that can infect the brain, muscles or other tissues, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. <\/p>\n

Neurocysticercosis is the form of the condition in which larvae infect the brain. it is a major cause of adult-onset seizures in low-income countries with poor sanitation and free-ranging pigs, according to the CDC. <\/p>\n

In this case, the man did not have typical risk factors: He did not travel to high-risk areas, and he did not have close contact with pigs or live in an area with poor sanitation. He did, however, admit to a habit of eating \u201clightly cooked, non-crispy bacon for most of his life,\u201d according to the report. <\/p>\n

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