what is whipple disease?

Answer 1

Whipple's disease is an infection of the human intestines caused by Tropherema whippelli (great Scrabble word). It is an unusual infection, in that its clinical progress is very slow, often affecting infected persons for years with symptoms related to malabsorption of nutrients or arthritis, but it eventually may involve almost any organ of the body. In fact, arthritis and fever often occur YEARS before the signs of intestinal infection (diarrhea, weight loss) occur. Treated early it is curable, untreated it may be fatal. The usual method of diagnosis is by a biopsy of the small bowel.

Answer 2

Whipple's disease is a rare infectious disease that typically infects the bowel. It causes malabsorption primarily but may affect any part of the body including the heart, lungs, brain, joints, and eyes. It interferes with the body's ability to absorb certain nutrients. Whipple's disease causes weight loss, incomplete breakdown of carbohydrates or fats, and malfunctions of the immune system. When recognized and treated, Whipple's disease can usually be cured. Untreated, the disease may be fatal.

Whipple's disease is caused by bacteria named Tropheryma whippelii. It can affect any system of the body, but occurs most often in the small intestine. Lesions appear on the wall of the small intestine and thicken the tissue. The villi—tiny, finger-like protrusions from the wall that help absorb nutrients—are damaged.

Symptoms include diarrhea, intestinal bleeding, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, and weakness. Arthritis and fever often occur several years before intestinal symptoms develop. Patients may experience neurological symptoms as well. Diagnosis is based on symptoms and the results of a biopsy of tissue from the small intestine or other organs that are affected.

Whipple's disease is treated with antibiotics to destroy the bacteria that cause the disease. The physician may use a number of different types, doses, and schedules of antibiotics to find the best treatment. Depending on the seriousness of the disease, treatment may also include fluid and electrolyte replacement. Electrolytes are salts and other substances in body fluid that the heart and brain need to function properly. Extra iron, folate, vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium may also be given to help compensate for the vitamins and minerals the body cannot absorb on its own.

Full recovery of the small intestine may take up to 2 years, but the symptoms usually disappear in less time. Because relapse is common even after successful treatment, the health care team may continue to monitor the patient for many years.

Answer 3

as far as I know, there isn't a whipple disease! There is a whipple surgery that is done on patients that have pancreas disease and are in a bad way. It is the removal of a portion of the head of the pancreas, gallbladder, duodenum, sometimes part of the intestine.

Answer 4

I autopsied a case of Whipple's disease some years ago. It is a malabsorption disease and large deposits of lipids showed as yellow plaques throughout the colon.

Answer 5

Mr Whipple and the Charmin. Don't squeeze it!

Answer 6

Wow. I had never heard of that either, but now I know. It is a malabsorption disease which prevents certain nutrients to not be absorbed by the body. Interesting. See the link below for more info. And thanks for helping me learn something new, too.

Answer 7

I thought it was the inability of not being able to pass the Charmin without squeezing it.

Answer 8

It's when you walk into a grocery store and can not give up that feeling to squeeze toilet paper silly.