Exploring Whipples Disease Essay - 847 Words

Introduction Whipples disease is a rare multi system infectious disease that often affects any system in the body including the stomach, small intestines and central nervous system. Whipple’s disease a bacterial disease that can result in neurological or intestinal damage, which depends on how serious or severe signs or symptoms are. If a person is diagnosed with Whipple’s disease many types of treatments may be used to cure the infection, but if left untreated or misdiagnosed it can result in death. Other complications may develop as well as recurrence after treatment. Scientists are yet to determine how this rare disease is transmitted to humans. What is Whipple’s Disease? Whipple’s disease discovered in 1907†¦show more content†¦This suggest that the few people who develop the disease may have an abnormal response to the bacteria† as is indicated in Baptist health systems. It is unclear how Whipple’s disease is transmitted from human to human the only evidence scientist have of its cause is by the bacterium known as Tropheryma whippleii that damages the walls of the small intestines. Research suggests that healthy persons can also develop this bacterium that causes weight loss, incomplete breakdown of carbohydrates or fats, resistance to insulin as well as malfunctions of the immune system. Signs Symptoms Whipple’s disease is not a fast acting disease it is slowly detected over time many symptoms and signs may occur as the year’s progress. Symptoms include digestive symptoms such as diarrhea, intestinal bleeding, abdominal bloating, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, weight loss as well as fatigue and weakness. â€Å"Arthritis and fever often occur several years before intestinal symptoms develop†(http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/dddiseases). Other signs include inflamed joints – ankles, knees and wrists, weakness, fatigue and anemia, low grade fever, cough, enlarge lymph nodes, difficulty walking, skin darkening (hyper pigmentation), visual impairment, lack of eye movement control and discomfort while breathing. Diagnosis â€Å"Diagnosis is based on symptoms and the results of a biopsy of tissue from the small intestine or other