Most people feel no different than usual when they have a tapeworm in their intestines. Symptoms that could show up include nausea, appetite loss, weight loss, diarrhea, belly pain, dizziness, or salt cravings.
You may lose your appetite, and you may lose weight. You can have pain in your belly, and diarrhea. And, you may crave salt. If tapeworm larvae spread to other parts of your body, you can have a wide range of problems.
Doctors have described several other symptoms that go along with tapeworm infection in rare cases. Some patients develop headaches, convulsions, or skin rashes. Others actually do see an increase in appetite, just like Glen “Big Baby” Davis.
So, what are a few warning signs of a parasitic infection? Digestive issues such as constipation or diarrhea are some of the most common. A few other issues patients may experience include fatigue, intense bloating/gas after meals, and sugar cravings.
Taeniasis can cause mild and non-specific symptoms, including abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea or constipation when the tapeworms become fully developed in the intestine. Cysticercosis in humans, on the other hand, occurs when the eggs of pork tapeworms are accidentally ingested.
unpleasant side effects of a tapeworm infection. weight gain while infected as a tapeworm can increase appetite. an increased craving for carbohydrates.
Many times, people can be infected for long periods of time without even knowing they have a tapeworm infection. While viral or bacterial infections can disappear in a matter of days or weeks, a tapeworm could be with you for years.
Parasites and intestinal worms love a steady supply of sugar to feed on as well, so if you have them in your digestive tract, as a result of a poor diet, they can actually make you crave even more sweet foods.
Researchers from Spain recently reported what may be the first recorded case of binge eating disorder brought on by a parasitic intestinal disease (Int J Eat Disord 2001; 30:107). A 19-year-old woman had bizarre and frequent bouts of overeating and extreme loss of weight.
These parasitic worms feed on partially digested food in the intestines. Some sources state that tapeworms delight in sugar, so avoiding foods high in sugar is widely recommended if you suspect you have an infection.
Because parasites come in so many different shapes and sizes, they can cause a very wide range of problems. Some consume your food (from inside your body), leaving you hungry after every meal and unable to gain weight.
To diagnose a tapeworm infection, doctors will collect and examine a stool sample on 3 different days to check for tapeworm eggs or pieces of worm. They may also do a blood test. If a child could have cysticercosis, the doctor might recommend a CT (CAT) scan or MRI of the brain or other organs to look for cysts.
Kristen: Yes, you can lose weight if you have a tapeworm. That's one of the symptoms of having a tapeworm.
A tapeworm in the intestines often causes mild symptoms. Moderate to severe symptoms may include stomach pain and diarrhea. Larval cysts can cause serious disease if they are in a person's brain, liver, lungs, heart or eyes.
Seizures and headaches are the most common symptoms. However, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, difficulty with balance, excess fluid around the brain (called hydrocephalus) may also occur. The disease can result in death.
Left untreated, adult tapeworms can live in a host body for up to 30 years. Their length varies, but they can grow to be anywhere from 6 to 22 feet.
An infection in the intestinal tract may be associated with excessive gas. This can be a parasite such as giardia or an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. Bloating is a sensation that the abdomen is too full. The abdomen can also become distended which means there is an actual increase in waist size.
Gastrointestinal distress — since parasites take up residence in the intestines, this is where the most damage occurs. Diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, and nausea are all common symptoms of parasites. Weight loss — parasites can cause nausea and poor nutritional absorption, which can lead to weight loss.
Parasites feed off of sugary foods (Cookies, cakes, sweeteners), and foods that convert to sugar quickly (grains, pasta, wheat, rice). Eating foods high in sugar will worsen a parasitic infection, causing it to spread quicker. Parasites are the most active at night, eating late at night can make them more active.
Many sugar cravings stem from a blood sugar imbalance. When your body ingests sugar, your blood sugar spikes and your body releases insulin to lower it to a safer level. If the insulin brings your blood sugar level a bit too low, as often happens, your body craves foods that will raise it and increase your energy.
Sugar cravings are often caused by imbalances in blood glucose levels. Low blood sugar levels might cause you to crave something sweet in order to bring up these levels. Other factors that can play a role include psychological stress, medications, hormone imbalances, and health conditions.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Deficiencies in certain minerals such as zinc, chromium, iron, calcium, and magnesium may lead to sugar cravings as well, Elia says.
The most common tapeworm infection in Australia is caused by dwarf tapeworm. There is also a risk in Australia of contracting a serious condition called hydatid disease from the eggs of a type of tapeworm called Echinococcus granulosus found in dog faeces (poo).
Tapeworms in dogs can cause serious health issues such as anemia, weight loss, and intestinal blockages if left untreated. If you notice any signs of tapeworms infecting your dog, it is important to see a vet as soon as possible for treatment.
You can easily kill tapeworms with anthelmintic drugs, including praziquantel (Biltricide®), albendazole (Albenza®) and nitazoxanide (Alinia®). Healthcare providers usually recommend praziquantel because it also paralyzes the worm, forcing it to dislodge from your intestinal wall.