The capsules are sold on the ‘dark web’ with promises of miraculous weight loss; Doctors warn that health problems could be permanent.
Pills containing tapeworm eggs, sold on the dark web as a quick fix to lose weight, have put consumers at risk of serious illness and even death. A recent case was reported by oncologist Bernard Hsu, who shared the story of “TE”, a 21-year-old woman who, while trying to lose weight, purchased pills containing tapeworm eggs online, using cryptocurrencies.
Dissatisfied with conventional diet and exercise, TE was drawn to a social media advert featuring a “controversial cure” for being overweight, with stunning before and after photos. He took two capsules and soon saw results, albeit with abdominal discomfort. However, she ignored the symptoms because she was satisfied with her weight loss.
A few weeks later, after a strange bathroom incident in which rectangular pieces appeared in the stool, TE continued to ignore the signs, thinking it was fat shedding. Shortly after, he developed a lump under his chin, and when he pressed it, he fainted. A few days later, he began to suffer from severe headaches and cranial pressure.
Without disclosing the use of tapeworm eggs, TE turned to the doctor. Tests identified no viral or bacterial infections and she was treated and released. However, the symptoms worsened. Eventually, doctors discovered lesions on the brain and other organs, such as the liver and tongue, as well as several cysts. Only then did TE confess to having ingested tapeworm eggs.
Doctors identified that TE had consumed two species of parasites: Taenia saginata (beef tapeworm) and Taenia solium (pork tapeworm). The second species was responsible for brain damage, as the eggs can enter the bloodstream and lodge in tissues such as muscles and the brain, causing cysticercosis, a potentially serious condition.
What are tapeworm eggs?
Generally found in undercooked meat, these parasites settle in the human intestine after inadvertent consumption of their eggs. Some grow up to 30 feet long, feeding on what the host consumes, which results in weight loss but can also cause cramping, bloating, diarrhea and vomiting.
The action is dangerous and ineffective
However, gastroenterologist and professor of medicine at Positiva University (UP), Mauricio Chibata, explains that consuming tapeworm eggs does not guarantee that the parasite will grow in the human intestine, but rather that its eggs will be absorbed into the bloodstream and bodies are established in it.
“They can reach the brain, the muscles, the heart, the lungs… If someone does this, they will not have a tapeworm in the intestine, but they will have a problem at the tissue level, with the formation of cysts, which are the larvae of the parasite, in different parts of the human body,” says the expert Earth you.
The most common gastrointestinal symptoms of a tapeworm infection include cramping, abdominal pain, and a feeling of bloating. This occurs because the parasite absorbs some of the nutrients ingested by the person, making them feel hungrier than normal. Despite eating more, the patient can lose weight, as it “feeds” the tapeworm in the intestine.
In addition to these pains and the feeling of fullness, the pain can be described as cramps, caused by the movement or fixation of the parasite in the intestine.
To diagnose a tapeworm infection, the simplest and most effective test is a fecal parasitology test. Because the parasite releases its eggs in the feces, this test can identify the presence of the parasite and confirm the diagnosis of an infestation.
The doctor says that treatment for tapeworm infection is usually quite effective and involves the use of antiparasitic drugs. The most important thing is to remember that treating tapeworms in the intestine is simple, but the real danger lies in the ingestion of tapeworm eggs, which can lead to the formation of cysticerci.
“These cysticerci, which lodge in various parts of the body, can cause serious damage, especially when they reach the brain, causing convulsions and changes in mood and personality, or when they affect the heart, compromising its function,” he warns.
To avoid infection, it is crucial to cook or fry pork thoroughly, as it may contain cysticerci. Eating undercooked pork can increase the risk of infection with these parasites.
How does practice affect the brain?
Neurosurgeon Felipe Mendes points out that when tapeworm eggs hatch in the intestine, they penetrate the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream, potentially reaching the nervous system.
“Tapeworm eggs, when ingested, hatch in the intestine and release larvae that enter the bloodstream. These larvae can cross the blood-brain barrier, lodging in the brain. In brain tissue, the larvae form cysts, which can compress neurological structures and trigger inflammation, edema and calcifications,” explains the specialist in the report.
Cysts can develop in different regions of the brain, causing an inflammatory response that can lead to seizures, hydrocephalus, intracranial hypertension, focal neurological deficits, and cognitive changes.
Eating these parasites can cause permanent damage
Permanent damage includes chronic epilepsy, cognitive impairment, motor or sensory deficits, hydrocephalus and brain atrophy. The residual calcification of the cysts is a permanent lesion, which may or may not be symptomatic, according to the specialist.
Neuroimaging is the key test for diagnosing brain lesions caused by parasites. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most sensitive examination, which allows the identification of cysts, inflammation and calcifications. The doctor says that computed tomography (CT) is also useful, especially for visualizing calcifications.
Treatment for neurological damage caused by tapeworm infection
The neurosurgeon says treatment involves antiparasitic drugs, such as albendazole or praziquantel, often combined with corticosteroids to control inflammation of the brain. Antiepileptics are indicated in case of convulsive seizures. In cases of hydrocephalus, surgical treatment, such as ventricular bypass, may be necessary.
“The prognosis varies depending on the location and number of the cysts. With appropriate treatment, many patients can control seizures and significantly improve their quality of life. However, some may have permanent neurological sequelae,” he concludes.
Fortunately, TE was treated with drugs that paralyzed and eliminated the parasites, as well as steroids to reduce inflammation of the brain. After three weeks of treatment, she was free of worms.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
