Tapeworm found in man's brain, causing headaches

A 26-year-old man from California has survived surgery after a tapeworm, which has been causing severe headaches, was removed from his brain.

Luiz Ortiz from Napa recalled that he never experienced such kind of bad headache in his entire life.

According to BBC News, Ortiz was admitted in a hospital after experiencing a severe headache.

Attending physicians said a tapeworm larva, that could cause Ortiz' immediate death was found in his brain. A brain surgery was immediately performed to save his life.

"I stood up and, then, I threw up. The doctor pulled it out and he said it was still wiggling, and I'm like 'Ugh, that does not sound too good," Ortiz said. "It is probably more gratifying to me to be living, because if I would have waited a little bit longer, then I probably would not be here right now."

Tapeworm in the brain

In Ortiz's brain scan, the neurosurgeon discovered that the tapeworm grew inside a cyst in the brain. This obstructed the water flow and prevented circulation inside his brain.

In a New Zealand Herald report, Ortiz said that he had no idea that his brain has tapeworm.

"I was shocked," Ortiz said. "I did not know there was a parasite in my head trying to ruin my life."

Ortiz started experiencing severe headaches during the earlier days of September. He was skateboarding then when the pain became unbearable. Upon reaching his house, he was nauseous and vomited. His mother rushed him to the hospital.

According to his neurosurgeon, Dr. Soren Singel, it was fortunate that Ortiz arrived in the hospital just in time. He could have died after thirty minutes because the cyst blocked the water flow in the brain.

Major health concern

The Latino Fox News reported that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said tapeworms found in pork have been a worldwide health concern.

This is very evident in areas with poor hygiene and sanitation, and in places where pigs are exposed to human feces.

Tapeworms can cause cysts inside the body and can develop to fatal human condition.

People are encouraged to practice proper hygiene and observe good sanitation all the time. Parasite contamination can be prevented by proper washing of hands and drinking safe water. People are also encouraged to prepare and cook food properly before eating.

In Ortiz case, his physician said that tapeworm eggs have made it into Ortiz's intestines. Eventually, a single tapeworm larva made its way up to Ortiz's brain.