Who are More Likely to Get Whipple’s disease?
Middle-aged Caucasian men are more prone to this disease. Signs and Symptoms of Whipple’s Disease Symptoms vary a great deal. Classic signs and symptoms of Whipple’s disease include • Periodic joint pain with or without swelling precedes all other symptoms • Chronic Diarrhoea (with or without blood) • Decreased body weight • Gastric pain and bloating • Fever • Fatigue • Anaemia Less common signs and symptoms of Whipple’s disease include • Skin darkening • Lymph node enlargement • Incessant cough • Chest pain and discomfort • Painful swelling of the membrane surrounding the heart • Heart failure Neurological symptoms that occur in patients with Whipple’s disease almost resemble the symptoms of a neurodegenerative disorder. They are: • Problems of vision • Decreased memory and cognitive abilities • Numbness of face • Headache • Twitching and weakness of the muscle • Difficulties in Gait In exceptional cases cardiac, neurological and pulmonary symptoms precede gastric symptoms.
