Botulis

m
New words
Respiratory failure [rɪˈspɪrət(ə)ri] [ˈfeɪljə] - Дихальна недостатність
Respiratory arrest [rɪˈspɪrət(ə)ri] [əˈrɛst] - Затримка дихання
Cranial nerves [ˈkreɪnjəl] [nɜːvz] - Черепно-мозкові нерви
Voluntary muscles [ˈvɒləntəri] [ˈmʌslz] - Скелетні м'язи ( довільні )
Drooping eyelids [ˈdruːpɪŋ] [ˈaɪlɪdz] - Опущені повіки
Nausea [ˈnɔːziə] - Нудота
Vomiting [ˈvɒmɪtɪŋ] - Блювота
Abdominal cramps [æbˈdɒmɪnl] [kræmps] - Черевні спазми
Introduction
Botulism is a rare and potentially fatal paralytic illness caused by a toxin
produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum.
Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a bacterium which occurs in
soil. It produces a toxin that affects your nerves.
The disease begins with weakness, trouble seeing, feeling tired, and trouble
speaking. This may then be followed by weakness of the arms, chest
muscles, and legs.
Forms of Botulism
Botulism can occur in a few different ways. The bacterial
spores that cause it are common in both soil and water.
They produce botulinum toxin when exposed to low
oxygen levels and certain temperatures.
Botulinum toxin is one of the most powerful known toxins:
about one microgram is lethal to humans. Advanced
botulism can cause respiratory failure by paralysing the
muscles of the chest; this can progress to respiratory arrest.
It is not passed directly between people.
Forms of
Botulism
1. Foodborne botulism happens when food containing the toxin is eaten.
2. Infant botulism. This occurs in small children who are colonized with
the bacterium during the early stages of their lives.
3. Wound botulism is found most often among those who inject street
drugs. In this situation spores enter a wound and, in the absence of
oxygen, release toxin.
General signs and symptoms of
botulism
The muscle weakness of botulism characteristically starts in the muscles
supplied by the cranial nerves. A group of twelve nerves controls eye
movements, the facial muscles and the muscles controlling chewing and
swallowing. The weakness then spreads to the arms and legs.
In addition to affecting the voluntary muscles, it can also cause disruptions in
the autonomic nervous system.
Effect of Botulism
A 14-year-old with botulism,
characterised by weakness of the eye
muscles and the drooping eyelids
shown in the left image, and dilated
and non-moving pupils shown in the
right image.
Foodborne and Wound botulism signs and
symptoms
The symptoms are similar in both foodborne botulism and wound botulism :
1) Difficulty swallowing or speaking
2) Dry mouth
3) Facial weakness on both sides of the face
4) Blurred vision
5) Drooping eyelids
6) Trouble breathing
7) Nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps
8) Paralysis