Botulism is a rare disease, with only about 145 cases a year as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This potentially serious disease is caused by the toxins secreted by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. There are three types of human botulism. Food-borne botulism is caused by ingesting contaminated food. Wound botulism occurs when the bacteria infects a wound. Infant botulism occurs when a baby ingests the bacterial spores, most commonly through honey. The toxin released from the bacteria is a neurotoxin, meaning it affects the nerves in the body and is what causes the signs and symptoms of the disease.
Paralysis
The toxin produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria acts upon the nerves of the central nervous system. The toxin binds to the nerves and inhibits the release of acetylcholine, according to a scientific study published by The Royal Society. Acetylcholine is a chemical released by the nerves that helps to carry the electrical impulses from the nerves to the muscles triggering movement. The muscles will not move without acetylcholine, resulting in paralysis.
The symptoms of botulism usually begin as muscle weakness in the neck and arms, then spreading to the lower body. Infants suffering from infant botulism will exhibit poor muscle tone.
Difficulty Breathing
The respiratory muscles can also be affected, resulting in difficulty breathing. Botulism can cause respiratory failure, resulting in death, according to the CDC. However, the progression of medical treatments during the past 50 years has decreased the incidence of death from 50 percent to approximately 8 percent, as reported by the CDC.
Blurry Vision
One of the first noticeable symptoms of botulism is blurry vision. The neurotoxin binds to the optic nerve, and it interrupts the transmission of the signals to the brain, causing blurry and/or double vision. In addition, the eyelids may look droopy as the muscles around the eye are paralyzed by the toxin.
Abdominal Swelling
The bacteria ingested in contaminated food will usually affect the body within 18 to 36 hours after eating, according to information provided by the CDC. The first symptoms may include abdominal swelling with diarrhea, vomiting and constipation because the digestive system is the first place the toxin reaches.
Fatigue
Fatigue, a feeling of extreme tiredness, occurs as one of the first symptoms and can remain as a long-term complication of a botulism episode, according to the Department of Health.
