{"id":5402,"date":"2019-04-11T09:31:00","date_gmt":"2019-04-11T09:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=5402"},"modified":"2021-06-02T11:16:37","modified_gmt":"2021-06-02T11:16:37","slug":"14-symptoms-of-botulism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-symptoms-of-botulism\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Symptoms of Botulism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Botulism is not very common. However, this does not mean that you cannot contract it or that you will never encounter it. Botulism is classified as one of the most serious illnesses and is transmitted through contaminated soil, food, and open wounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some cases it can be difficult to notice, which is why it may become deadly. If it is not treated properly it can cause breathing malfunctions, paralysis, and even death. Botulism is caused by a toxin that is produced by clostridium botulinum, which is a potent bacterium. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason that botulism is rare is that the bacteria that cause it only survive in places that do not have oxygen. Chemical facilities, home-canned foods, as well as other places are great breeding grounds. Since botulism is so dangerous it is important to know the symptoms of the condition so that treatment can begin as quickly as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Loss of Appetite<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Of the people affected by botulism<\/a>, 65 percent are infants. The main reason for this is because infants often eat a lot of canned and processed foods. These types of foods have the highest likelihood of being contaminated. This means that the chances of infants becoming infected with dangerous bacterium is higher. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice that your infant is not eating as much or simply does not seem hungry, it could be a sign that there is something wrong. An infant that does not feel like eating could be suffering from any number of ailments, one of which is botulism. If your infant is not eating as much or does not seem hungry it is important to take them to the doctor as soon as possible. This loss of appetite affects adults as well and is something worth noting, especially if it is accompanied by some of the other symptoms on this list. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. Constipation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most of the symptoms of botulism are digestive in nature. The reason for this is in most cases the bacteria enters the body through the mouth. Constipation <\/a>may occur because botulism will first attack the esophagus. As the bacteria attack the esophagus it causes the entire digestive process to malfunction. In fact, a person suffering from constipation may not even have the slightest hint of a stool. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The malfunction of the digestive system means that the food that you eat is not being converted into nutrients and waste. If you have noticed that you are not having normal bowel movements and you are taking laxatives and probiotics and they do not help, it is a good idea to visit a doctor. Constipation is one of the first and quickest symptoms to come up, so if you catch it early the healing and the treatment process can be much easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3. Tiredness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tiredness <\/a>is a prevalent symptom of botulism in both adults and infants alike. The reason for this is quite simple with this symptom. In order to provide the body with energy, you need a constant influx of food. Food is what provides your body with the nutrients that it needs in order to function properly. When the body is not getting what it needs, it begins to shut down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your body will attempt to go into sleep mode as a way to prevent expending any excess energy. Since botulism affects the digestive tract and system, it will start to manifest as having a lowered amount of energy. It is important to track your infant\u2019s state regularly. If they seem to not be eating as much and are spending more time sleeping than normal, it is a good idea to take them to the doctor. An adult experiencing prolonged periods of tiredness should also visit the doctor to determine the cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Drooling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to infants, drooling is just a part of their lifestyle<\/a>. Drooling can be caused by any number of things including teething. However, it is also a symptom of botulism. One of the ways that the bacteria that causes botulism spreads is through the saliva. When the bacteria reaches the cavity of the mouth, it affects the function of the saliva glands. If your baby is affected with botulism you may notice that they are drooling much more than normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is one of the reasons that it is important to know your baby\u2019s habits so that you notice any changes. There are times with the glands will start to produce too much fluid. This is the body sending a signal that something is out of balance. If the drooling persists for more than four hours it is a good idea to contact your doctor. Adults with botulism may notice excessive drooling as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Irritability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Being irritable <\/a>is very common among infants who are affected by botulism. This symptom can affect adults who have botulism as well. When a person has botulism, the body is going to spend all of its energy trying to fight it off. The body will fight the condition and then prevent it from spreading throughout the body. Since the body is busy fighting off the infection, it will not have any energy left to focus on the less important facets of the brain and body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your infant has become quite irritable and you cannot figure out why it is something that should be noted as this can be a sign that there is some type of imbalance. This is true for adults as well. Any prolonged period of irritability or a constant bad mood can be a sign that the person is suffering from botulism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

6. Lack of Head Control<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Generally speaking, babies have undeveloped connections between the mind and the muscles<\/a>. For this reason, the symptom of not having any head control or movements that are floppy may not be noticeable because it may seem like their movement is no different than normal. However, you may start to notice that your baby moves their head in a weird way. The baby may also seem incoherent. The cause of this is simply muscle weakness and if this is happening to your child you may need to visit a specialist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the body is infected with botulism it may start to shut down the neural connections between the muscles and the limbs. This is one sign that could mean the condition is becoming more advanced. Adults who are infected with botulism may also notice a weakness in their muscles and may feel like they cannot hold their heads up. If this occurs, visit a doctor right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

7. Weak Cry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

All infants<\/a> cry. Parents already know this and it does not take very long for parents to know what their child\u2019s different cries sound like and mean. If a baby is not crying as loudly and is not being as expressive as they normally are, it could be a sign that there is something wrong with their throat. Since botulism begins its attack on the digestive tract, passing through the throat is imminent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is one reason why that if the disease is allowed to advance enough, it may affect the vocal cords as well as the facial muscles. This attack on the vocal cords leads to a baby that has less pronounced crying. This is another reason why it is important to make sure that you monitor your child\u2019s habits from an early age so that you will be aware if something suddenly changes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

8. Blurred Vision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Vision is very important. It is what allows us to navigate the world. Being able to register the shapes and objects that surround you takes some effort. This effort is normal and when your vision is fine it signals that everything that is okay in the body. If there is something wrong in your body, it will not spare the extra energy that is required to see clearly. This means that when the body is suffering from a disease, including botulism, the eyes may focus on just one thing and vision <\/a>may become blurry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With time, this symptom of botulism will become even worse. If you are experiencing blurred vision the first thing to do is to visit an ophthalmologist. They will check to see if there is structural damage to the eye. If the doctor discovers that it is not a matter of the eyes, they will direct you to go to your doctor to get tested for other conditions, including botulism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

9. Difficulty Swallowing or Speaking
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When Clostridium botulinum bacteria infect the nervous system, it causes dysfunction and damage to the nerves in the brain and spinal cord responsible for motor skills. One of the early signs of botulism, after weakness<\/a>, fatigue, and blurred vision \u2013 is difficulty controlling the muscles around the throat.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, infected individuals may find that they start to develop issues with speaking or swallowing. Some individuals may also have problems swallowing. As a result, they run the risk of choking on their food.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inability to speak correctly is a disorder known as, \u201cdysphagia.\u201d The intensity of the symptoms depends on the extent of the infection. Some patients may experience mild symptoms while others have severe problems with pronouncing words.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people may slur their words or develop a nasal-sounding speech as well. There is no known cure for dysphagia, and in most cases, it does not result in permanent damage to muscles and nerves in the throat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

10. Facial Weakness
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It may surprise you to learn that some people willing to infect themselves with the Clostridium botulinum bacteria. We\u2019ve all heard of the famous cosmetic agent called, \u201cBotox.\u201d This product contains trace amounts of the bacteria that paralyzes the nerves in the face, reducing the appearance of wrinkles<\/a>.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of Hollywood starlets and socialites undergo Botox treatment every year, and it’s popular as a cosmetic treatment among millions of women and men. While Botox is an effective nerve paralyzer in a controlled setting, it\u2019s very different from an actual infection with Clostridium botulinum bacteria.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who develop botulism may find that they start to experience facial weakness as one of the early warning signs of the disease. As a result, they may begin to droop around the corners of the mouth and eyes, giving them a sagging expression that looks as if they are half asleep. These symptoms are not permanent and fade away as the infection clears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

11. Nausea and Vomiting
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of nausea and vomiting <\/a>typically occur in cases of infant botulism. With this type of botulism, the infant ingests the bacteria, where it starts to colonize in the intestines. The bacteria eventually reach the stage where it starts to release the toxin. As a result, the infant may begin to develop symptoms of gas and bloating that lead to stomach pain and cramps.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Infants are most at risk of severe complications from the disease because they are still developing their immune systems. More than 70-percent of the immune system resides in the gut. As a result of infection with the Clostridium botulinum bacteria, many infants struggle to fend off the infection and require hospitalization to survive the disease.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Infant botulism is a severe infection that requires immediate medical assistance to prevent the spread of the bacteria to the nervous and cardiovascular system. Drive your child to the emergency room and request immediate assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

12. Paralysis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When Clostridium botulinum bacteria enter the bloodstream, the circulatory system transports it throughout the body, where it can have devastating effects on the patients\u2019 health. Should the bacteria <\/a>enter the nervous or cardiovascular systems, it can have life-threatening consequences.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Infection of the endocardial lining can result in the toxin release slowing heart rate, eventually paralyzing the heart muscles, resulting in congestive heart failure. The disease may also cause numerous complications, such as endocarditis, where the inflammation of the endocardial lining results in the development of an aneurysm that may burst and cause a heart attack.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should the bacteria infect the nervous system and release toxins, the patient may start to lose their motor skills gradually. At first, they may experience a slowing in reflexes and muscular response time to neural stimulus.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, the toxin release reaches a critical volume where it starts to paralyze the lungs, causing respiratory arrest and death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

13. Breathing Problems
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Infants that experience infection with Clostridium botulinum bacteria typically ingest the bacteria where it starts to grow in the underdeveloped digestive system. The bacteria spread rapidly because the baby\u2019s immune system<\/a> is too weak to fight off the infection.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The intestines are a permeable barrier that expands during inflammatory stress from the bacteria. As a result, the pathogens pass through the intestinal wall, and into the bloodstream where they travel throughout the body. One of the first signs of complications from the infection includes breathing problems.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the bacteria colonize in the lungs, they start to induce pneumonia symptoms, causing the child to begin to drown in their body fluids. As the disease progresses and the toxin levels accumulate, the baby may start to go into respiratory arrest. Infants under cardiovascular attack from the bacteria will need breathing assistance from a ventilator. Breathing paralysis and respiratory arrest is the leading cause of death in infants with botulism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

14. Prevention
<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are numerous preventative strategies you can use to avoid the C. botulinum<\/a> strain of bacteria. To prevent foodborne infection, make sure you never buy or use any canned foods where the can appears to be bulging, and never eat any canned food that smells bad.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you make any essential oil infusions or infuse oils with herbs of garlic \u2013 store them in the refrigerator. Never leave food products with natural preservatives out at room temperature; the ambient temperature causes the growth of the bacteria.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After cooking baked potatoes wrapped in foil in the oven or on the grill, make sure you eat it while it\u2019s hot, or store it in the fridge to prevent the bacteria growing in-between the foil and the potato skin.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To reduce the risk of infant botulism, never feed your baby honey until they are at least a year old. Even a small taste of honey could infect an infant with C. botulinum.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

<\/div>