A woman in Australia discovered her headaches were caused by tapeworm larvae in her brain

Alaa Elassar

A 25-year-old woman in Australia discovered she had tapeworm larvae in her brain after suffering from a headache that lasted for more than a week.

The aches were caused by tapeworm larvae that had taken up space in her brain, according to a new study on her case by the The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene published on September 21.

The woman, who never traveled overseas, is the first native case of the disease in Australia, the study said. Previous Australian cases of this infection were from immigrants or returning residents who traveled to regions where the disease is endemic to, such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

For the past seven years, the woman complained of headaches that would occur two-or three-times a month and went away with prescribed migraine medication. However, her latest headache lasted for more than a week and came with more severe visual symptoms, including the blurring of her central vision.

An MRI of her brain led doctors to believe that a tumor might be the cause of her pain, but after operating and removing the lesion, they discovered it was actually a cyst full of tapeworm larvae. After the removal, she required no further treatment.

Tapeworms typically take up residence in human’s intestines, an infection known as taeniasis, and some can pass on their own without medication. The parasite is commonly transmitted when people consume undercooked pork - pigs are often intermediary tapeworm hosts - or come in contact with food, water and soil contaminated with tapeworm eggs.

The best line of defense against similar infection is cooking meat to safe temperatures, washing your hands with soap before eating and only eating food you can ensure was cooked in sanitary conditions.

Adapted from https://edition.cnn.com.

A woman in Australia discovered her headaches were caused by tapeworm larvae in her brain

Alaa Elassar

A 25-year-old woman in Australia discovered she had tapeworm larvae in her brain after suffering from a headache that lasted for more than a week.

The aches were caused by tapeworm larvae that had taken up space in her brain, according to a new study on her case by the The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene published on September 21.

The woman, who never traveled overseas, is the first native case of the disease in Australia, the study said. Previous Australian cases of this infection were from immigrants or returning residents who traveled to regions where the disease is endemic to, such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

For the past seven years, the woman complained of headaches that would occur two-or three-times a month and went away with prescribed migraine medication. However, her latest headache lasted for more than a week and came with more severe visual symptoms, including the blurring of her central vision.

An MRI of her brain led doctors to believe that a tumor might be the cause of her pain, but after operating and removing the lesion, they discovered it was actually a cyst full of tapeworm larvae. After the removal, she required no further treatment.

Tapeworms typically take up residence in human’s intestines, an infection known as taeniasis, and some can pass on their own without medication. The parasite is commonly transmitted when people consume undercooked pork - pigs are often intermediary tapeworm hosts - or come in contact with food, water and soil contaminated with tapeworm eggs.

The best line of defense against similar infection is cooking meat to safe temperatures, washing your hands with soap before eating and only eating food you can ensure was cooked in sanitary conditions.

Adapted from https://edition.cnn.com.

Ways To Live Your Life To The Fullest

How do you feel about your life today? Are you living every day in excitement? Do you love what you’re doing? Are you excited every single moment? Are you looking forward to what’s coming up next? Are you living your best life?

If your answer to any of the above is a no, maybe, or not sure, that means you’re not living your life to the fullest. Which really shouldn’t be the case, because your life experience is yours to create. Why settle for anything less than what you can get? You deserve nothing but the best.

Here are some ways to live your life to the fullest:

Live every day on a fresh new start.

Be true to who you are.

Quit complaining.

Be proactive.

Rather than think “what if”, think “next time”.

Create your own opportunities.

Live consciously each day.

Be committed to your growth.

Know your inner self.

Discover your life purpose.

Stop putting life on hold.

Set your goals.

Be positive.

Build genuine, authentic connections.

Do a kind deed a day

Maximize your mind, body, heart and soul.

Be your best self.

Last but not least: LOVE LIFE.

Adapted from https://personalexcellence.co/blog/101-ways-to-live-your-lifeto- the-fullest/

Ways To Live Your Life To The Fullest

How do you feel about your life today? Are you living every day in excitement? Do you love what you’re doing? Are you excited every single moment? Are you looking forward to what’s coming up next? Are you living your best life?

If your answer to any of the above is a no, maybe, or not sure, that means you’re not living your life to the fullest. Which really shouldn’t be the case, because your life experience is yours to create. Why settle for anything less than what you can get? You deserve nothing but the best.

Here are some ways to live your life to the fullest:

Live every day on a fresh new start.

Be true to who you are.

Quit complaining.

Be proactive.

Rather than think “what if”, think “next time”.

Create your own opportunities.

Live consciously each day.

Be committed to your growth.

Know your inner self.

Discover your life purpose.

Stop putting life on hold.

Set your goals.

Be positive.

Build genuine, authentic connections.

Do a kind deed a day

Maximize your mind, body, heart and soul.

Be your best self.

Last but not least: LOVE LIFE.

Adapted from https://personalexcellence.co/blog/101-ways-to-live-your-lifeto- the-fullest/

MOVIE INFO

As a boy, Louis “Louie” Zamperini is always in trouble, but with the help of his older brother, he turns his life around and channels his energy into running, later qualifying for the 1936 Olympics. When World War II breaks out, Louie enlists in the military. After his plane crashes in the Pacific, he survives incredible 47 days adrift in a raft, until his capture by the Japanese navy. Sent to a POW (Prisoner-of-war) camp, Louie becomes the favorite target of a particularly cruel prison commander.

Adapted from https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/unbroken_2014