Condition deteriorated after 3 years of India trip, 1 meter long worm seen in toilet, 38 parasites found in brain, what is Neurocysticercosis

Years ago, a woman from Britain named Lowri Denman, who came to visit India, never thought that her life would change completely due to a disease whose effects would be revealed after many years. First he found a long tapeworm in the toilet, but nothing special was found during investigation. After this, his health gradually started deteriorating and a day came when the doctors told that 38 parasites were present in his brain.

These parasites affected the woman’s life to such an extent that she started having seizures, severe headaches and her mental condition also deteriorated. After many years of treatment and struggle, she is now fine and is making people aware of this rare disease Neurocysticercosis.

Trouble started after 3 years of traveling to India

Lowry Denman, a resident of Britain, came to visit India for three months in 2007. During the journey, he had given up eating meat to avoid food poisoning. However, the doctor believes that he unknowingly ate pork which contained very small tapeworm eggs. About three years later, in 2010, he found a tapeworm about one meter long in the toilet of a restaurant. She got checked by the doctor, but at that time the report came back normal and she returned to her normal life.

Headache, seizures and then shocking revelation

After a few months, he started having frequent severe headaches. Gradually he started having difficulty in speaking and then one day he had a seizure. After undergoing CT and MRI scan in the hospital, doctors told that 38 parasites were present in his brain. Initially doctors suspected some other disease, but later tests confirmed that he had Neurocysticercosis.

Mental health also affected

Due to the disease, swelling in the brain increased. He faced problems like numbness in the body, nervousness, fear, confusion, panic attacks and depression. His condition worsened so much that he had to be admitted to a neuropsychiatric hospital for several weeks. This period was very difficult for family and friends also.

Got new life after many years

During treatment, he was given medicines to kill parasites, steroids and epilepsy medicines. With time, the parasites present in the brain became inactive and became calcified. After 2017, he did not suffer from seizures again, although he still has to take epilepsy medicine. Now she is living a healthy life and is working to make people aware about this disease.

What is Neurocysticercosis?

Neurocysticercosis is a rare parasitic infection caused by the larvae of Taenia solium (pork tapeworm). This disease occurs when a person swallows microscopic eggs of tapeworm through food, water or dirty hands. These eggs can enter the body and reach the brain through the blood and form a cyst (lump-like structure) there.

Does this disease occur only by eating pork?

No. This is a common misconception. Eating undercooked pork can cause intestinal tapeworms, but Neurocysticercosis is usually caused by ingestion of tapeworm eggs through dirty food, water or poor hygiene.

What are the symptoms?

• frequent visits
• persistent or severe headache
• trouble speaking
• Dizziness
• memory loss
• weakness in body
• blurred vision
• hallucinations or mental alterations

The thing to note is that its symptoms can appear even after several months or years of infection.

How is investigation and treatment done?

Doctors confirm the disease with the help of CT scan, MRI, medical history and other tests. Treatment depends on the patient’s condition, and may include medications to kill parasites, steroids to reduce inflammation, medications to control seizures, and in some cases, surgery.

How to protect?

• Always drink clean water.
• Wash hands with soap before eating and after using the bathroom.
• Eat only clean and well cooked food.
• Take special care of food hygiene during travelling.
• Avoid eating food from open or dubious sources.