Symptoms Of Anisakiasis

October 18, 2023

Anisakiasis is a disease-causing, parasitic worm. It is most commonly found in the wall of the stomach or the intestines of humans. The parasite larvae are ingested by humans when they consume raw or undercooked fish. Doctors are often able to diagnose the gastric type of the parasite with the use of an endoscope, and they can also remove it during the procedure. When in the intestines, the parasite is a little bit harder to diagnose, but it usually ends up dying without causing serious complications. In rare cases, the parasite may cause appendicitis or other gastrointestinal problems, making surgical intervention necessary to save a person. Reveal symptoms of anisakiasis now.

Nausea And Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are two unpleasant symptoms of anisakiasis. Feeling like one is going to throw up is unpleasant. Individuals often attempt to avoid activities that make them feel this way to get rid of the feeling and to avoid actually throwing up. Throwing up occurs when a person empties the contents of their stomach. With anisakiasis, this happens involuntarily. Throwing up repeatedly can be very bad for an individual's health. The acid in the stomach causes damage to the throat, mouth, and teeth. Some of this damage can be healed, but extensive damage to the teeth cannot be remedied easily. If this symptom appears after eating undercooked fish, it may be a sign of anisakiasis, but there are other problems it could signal.

Abdominal Distention

Abdominal distention occurs when there is some swelling in the abdominal area. This can be caused by a wide range of problems, ranging from digestive to reproductive. The most common causes are intestinal gas and a build-up of liquid in the abdomen. Anisakiasis can cause fluid to accumulate, and it may also contribute to gas in the intestines. Anisakiasis can also cause a bowel obstruction, which will also cause distention of the abdomen, but this is a much more severe problem. The distention associated with a bowel obstruction is usually large enough to be noticeable to others. Of course, anisakiasis is not the only disease that can cause distention.

Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain can come from many symptoms produced by anisakiasis. Anisakiasis may cause appendicitis, which involves a pattern of pain in the abdominal region. Peritonitis may also result from the parasite and also causes pain. The parasite itself may cause pain by lodging into the walls of the intestines or the stomach. Recently, anisakiasis has become increasingly common as a cause for pain in the abdomen. It is more common in areas where the consumption of raw or undercooked fish is popular. This is especially true for countries like Japan, and some areas of Western countries.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions are not extremely common among individuals who are infected with the parasite, but it is still possible. Individuals who have an allergy to seafood that they commonly consume are more likely to have anisakiasis than others. This is because they are unlikely to throw an allergic reaction to something that has never given them a severe problem before. Reactions can be minor and go away relatively quickly, but they can also be severe and life-threatening. A life-threatening allergic reaction must be seen by a doctor immediately. The doctor will also be able to test for the type of allergy a person has, whether it is anisakiasis or seafood.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a tricky symptom because, like vomiting, it can have many causes that are not remotely related to anisakiasis. An individual's stool will become very loose and watery, and they may feel the urge to frequently have a bowel movement. While this symptom can be short-lived, it is important to keep fluid intake high. This symptom can easily cause a person to become dehydrated, especially when mixed with frequent vomiting. Should this symptom appear with any of the other symptoms for at least two weeks, it is best to see a doctor so treatment for the disease can be administered quickly and efficiently.

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