The Major Causes Of Cyclosporiasis

Cyclosporiasis, also known as a cyclospora infection, can cause a person to experience watery and potentially explosive diarrhea. The infection is caused by a one-cell parasite that enters the body through contaminated water or food ingestion, commonly infected fresh produce. Cyclosporiasis can be caused by many things, so it may be difficult to diagnose until a specialized stool test is completed. Doctors recommend engaging in preventative measures like basic food safety precautions to avoid getting the disease in the first place. These are the main symptoms that will occur in patients with a cyclospora infection. Most of these symptoms also occur in other common illnesses, so the stool sample is necessary for proper diagnosis.

Diarrhea

The most characteristic aspect of cyclosporiasis is diarrhea, particularly frequent bouts of watery diarrhea. It's also possible a patient will experience diarrhea followed by a bout of constipation, the two frequently alternating. Along with this symptom, patients also tend to feel generally unwell.

Diarrhea and other symptoms generally set in two to eleven days after consuming contaminated food or water. Diarrhea might ease on its own after a few days, but this isn't always the case. Serious bouts have been reported in which the sufferer had diarrhea for weeks. Additionally, individuals with human immunodeficiency virus or any other disease that compromises the immune system might deal with the infection for months if they don't receive treatment.

Continue reading now to learn about more causes of cyclosporiasis.

Loss Of Appetite

Cyclosporiasis will also present with a loss of appetite coupled with weight loss. Some of the weight loss can be attributed to lost fluids, but a lack of proper food intake might cause the body to begin burning its fat reserves more dramatically. The lack of appetite can generally be linked to the feeling of unwellness. Patients with cyclosporiasis know they're suffering some form of illness, though many mistakenly believe it is the flu or a related sickness.

If cyclosporiasis lasts for weeks rather than days, the weight loss may become more dramatic and even dangerous. Individuals who lose their appetite for more than a few days should be examined by a doctor to make sure the cause isn't something severe. In many cases, the diagnosis will lead to a course of appropriate treatment with antibiotics, even if the patient isn't experiencing cyclosporiasis.

Keep reading for more on the different causes of cyclosporiasis.

Nausea And Vomiting

Though not as common as other symptoms, cyclosporiasis is an infection of the digestive system that can cause nausea and vomiting. Such symptoms may increase the chances of a patient believing they have the flu or another disease.

There are certain groups of individuals who are at an increased risk of becoming infected with the cyclosporiasis parasite. The parasite is more common in subtropical and tropical regions. If a person travels to or lives in one of these zones, they have a higher chance of exposure to the parasite.

When the infection doesn't occur in subtropical and tropical regions, the infection typically comes from food or water harvested in this type of region. Individuals who eat large amounts of produce from tropical climates may be at an increased risk, especially if they don't carefully wash their produce before consumption. The best way to prevent infection is by washing all produce before eating it.

Continue reading to reveal information on the next major cause of cyclosporiasis.

Stomach Cramps

Stomach cramps are a common symptom in individuals with cyclosporiasis. These cramps frequently occur to precede diarrhea or vomiting. In this way, some patients can use their stomach cramps as a warning sign another bout is coming. For individuals who experience alternating diarrhea and constipation bouts, the cramps may also be constipation-induced.

The cramps occur because the parasite compromises the intestinal tract, which keeps the individual from being able to form solid stools. This is particularly notable when diarrhea is interposed with constipation. The parasite blocks stool from taking its natural path through the digestive tract, causing bouts of constipation followed by loose stools.

Keep reading to learn about more causes of this condition now.

Bloating And Flatulence

Individuals may experience bloating and flatulence in conjunction with their other symptoms. Since the digestive tract cannot be navigated the way it's supposed to, gases tend to build up in the abdomen without a place to go. Food and water may also build up in the abdomen before being expelled, rather than moving properly through the digestive tract.

This buildup and blockage in the digestive tract can cause a patient to feel extremely bloated. They may also see unusual weight fluctuations on the scale, gaining several pounds when bloated and losing several pounds after each loose stool. Flatulence is generally a relief to the bloated sensation, but as it can provide the same feeling as loose stools, patients should exercise caution.