Readers write about brain tapeworms and sleep disorders

Orleans

My sister looks like our father’s side of the family and I look like our mother’s. When people see photos of us, they say we don’t look alike, but when they meet us in person, they say we (do) because our voices are the same. This essay is beautiful in describing how family members are alike in many ways beyond skin color.

eastsight

posted on bostonglobe.com

I imagine there are a lot of challenges growing up in a mixed race family that I could never fully appreciate. I will note, however, that it made me wonder if anyone had ever mentioned to me that I looked like my mother. And now many decades in my life, I don’t remember a single time. But also, no one ever asked if she was/is my mother.

SoxDem1

posted on bostonglobe.com

My children are nothing like me. I remember hoping their eyes would stay blue when they were born, so we had a few looks in common. Unfortunately, they darkened to a beautiful brown and I wouldn’t have it any other way. We are alike in so many other ways that we have long forgotten how different we look.

Mikeleavey3

posted on bostonglobe.com

Loss of sleep

I wish (there was) more content like this (“The Science of Sleep” September 29): Informative, useful and thought provoking.

Mattso8

posted on bostonglobe.com

An insomniac, I think going to bed early is my best chance to get enough sleep – I can’t sleep. Diet has a huge impact – little or no super-processed foods and enough protein are absolutely vital to getting adequate rest. .. Finally, accepting what is and not worrying.

green lady

posted on bostonglobe.com

As someone afflicted with disturbed sleep for the past few decades, I eagerly read this, hoping that the strongly suspected basis for MY problem would come into play. But, no mention of hypothalamic dysfunctions. Maybe 20 years ago, I brought up several awakenings every night and trouble getting back to sleep, with PCP. I went into my childhood and the issue of concussions. Yes, I told him: One when I was about 14 and two earlier, less severe concussions at about 3 and then 11. He said it was very likely that my hypothalamus was affected – at least a once, but probably three. times, and the damages became cumulative. For anyone suffering from unexplained sleep disturbances, see the list of problems associated with HD; my hunch is that it’s an all-too-often overlooked problem.

Barbara Harting

Framingham

Mysterious diagnosis

A masterly and very informative article bringing together perspectives from the fields of parasitology, archaeology, history of medicine, migration, religion and a concrete account of the two colonizations in West Papua (“A Hidden Parasite” September 29). Thanks to the Globe for publishing it.

mtns4evr

posted on bostonglobe.com

Although these worms are called “pig tapeworms,” they are actually HUMAN tapeworms: humans are their primary host. Pigs are infected by infected humans in unsanitary conditions where pigs are exposed to human feces contaminated with worm eggs. There are two ways of infection: eating cysts and eating eggs. If you eat undercooked pork with cysts in it, you will develop an intestinal tapeworm and become an egg spreader. You will not develop cysts. You have to eat eggs from human feces from a human with an intestinal worm before you can develop cysts in your body and brain. . . . Pigs are a secondary host and spread intestinal worms to humans. The cycle is easily stopped with hygiene, keeping human faeces away from pigs and regularly deworming pigs and humans.

human24

posted on bostonglobe.com

(Writer) Dr. Anand’s talk focused on pork. I would like to read her perspective on the risk factor of tapeworm larvae found in farmed and wild fish. What is the risk factor for tapeworm with eating raw fish? sushi? Raw? Dr. Anand’s research is extremely important!

M. Susan Hamilton

Cambridge

Thank you Dr. Anand for a fascinating, horrifying, scientific and historical look at this affliction.

DonSL

posted on bostonglobe.com

Good neighbors

Judy Foreman’s connections about the friendliness of Provincetown were so revealing of the true nature of that lovely town and a refreshing change from the usual stories about its more flamboyant side (“Small Town Goodness,” September 29). My wife and I have had the privilege of living for 20 years on the Outer Cape and being active in St. Mary’s Harbor Church in Provincetown. It led to our regular volunteering at the Soup Kitchen in Provincetown, which provides a hot lunch five days a week in the off-season. I saw every day the small acts of kindness that Judy described so well. People just reached out to people, friends or strangers, it didn’t matter – just that there was a perceived need for help or comfort.

Jake Ketchum

Hingham

Beautiful article about friendship, grace, gratitude, love, kindness and more.

Horse lover44

posted on bostonglobe.com

I think people are becoming more aware and willing to help. My husband is getting quite frail as he gets older. I still try to make sure he gets out of the house to see different sights and eat out. People often rush to help us when we’re trying to get places, even when we don’t need help because that’s what we’re used to and we have a routine. The other day, I got him and his walker out of the car by the door of a restaurant and then went to park the car. A woman speaking in a nearby group rushed to help him because he “looked uncomfortable”. Bless them all.

Sandy68

posted on bostonglobe.com

Not enough of these newspaper stories in troubled times. It reminds us that we have more in common than what separates us.

WestCoast attorney

posted on bostonglobe.com

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