Botulism is a disease characterized by muscle paralysis.
Signs and symptoms of botulism can include
- muscle weakness and paralysis,
- blurred vision,
- double vision,
- drooping eyelids,
- difficulty swallowing,
- dry mouth, and
- slurred speech.
Other associated symptoms and signs can include
- abdominal pain,
- constipation,
- nausea,
- vomiting,
- dilated pupil,
- drooling,
- dizziness,
- fatigue,
- difficulty speaking,
- facial muscle weakness,
- shortness of breath,
- slow reflexes, and
- urinary retention.
Cause of botulism
Infection with Clostridium botulinum bacteria causes botulism. There are three main types of botulism: food-borne botulism (caused by eating foods that contain the botulinum neurotoxin), wound botulism (caused by neurotoxin produced within a wound that is infected with the bacteria), and infant botulism (caused by consumption of the spores of the botulinum bacteria). In this case the bacterial spores germinate, then grow in the intestines, and release the neurotoxin.
Other botulism symptoms and signs
- Abdominal Pain
- Blurred Vision
- Constipation
- Difficulty Speaking
- Difficulty Swallowing
- Dilated Pupil
- Dizziness
- Double Vision
- Drooling
- Drooping Eyelids
- Dry Mouth
- Facial Muscle Weakness
- Fatigue
- Muscle Weakness and Paralysis
- Nausea
- Shortness of Breath
- Slow Reflexes
- Slurred Speech
- Urinary Retention
- Vomiting
Main Article on Botulism Symptoms and Signs
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