Experts revealed that a man who reported constantly seeing cockroaches and giant snakes suffers from Charles Bonnet syndrome, a common condition that causes hallucinations in visually impaired people.
The 78-year-old had no history of psychological problems, but he told doctors that he saw insects and snakes growing in size and doubling in numbers.
He also said that he felt insects crawling on him and could be seen scratching his skin severely. Then his hallucinations became so severe that he called a pest extermination service, which he believed were invading his home.
The man had previously been diagnosed with glaucoma, a known cause of vision disorders, which led doctors to conclude that his hallucinations were due to Charles Bonnet syndrome.
Eye health experts and neurologists believe that Charles Bonnet syndrome is the result of a defect in communication between the eyes, which collect visual information, and the brain, which receives and interprets that information.
When the eye cannot see everything around it effectively, the brain fills in the gaps with images that do not exist, such as people, animals, or objects.
As for glaucoma, it is a disease that gradually affects the eye and can lead to Charles Bonnet syndrome.
The patient, whose name was not mentioned, was suffering from more severe hallucinations and deteriorating vision. What started as minor disturbances in one eye spread to both eyes, and what he saw and felt worsened.
Charles Bonnet syndrome can be confused with mental problems, such as schizophrenia, which causes a distorted sense of reality, visual and auditory hallucinations, and delusions.
Although the man did not respond well to antipsychotic medications, this was the typical method of treatment for Charles Bonnet.
People with Charles Bonnet usually know that what they see is not actually happening. This is one of the criteria for diagnosing the condition, along with the presence of at least one complex hallucination within weeks, visual hallucinations without hearing things, and the absence of delusions that may suggest a psychotic disorder.
At times the 78-year-old insisted to doctors that the insects he saw were real, although at other times he understood they were part of a hallucination.
The patient was directed to follow up with a psychiatrist, therapist, primary care physician, and ophthalmologist.
Why don't fat-free foods help you lose weight?
According to Dr. Roman Peshnyakov, a Russian nutrition expert, fat accumulates in the abdomen, waist and back area due to overeating and not due to foods rich in fat.
The doctor points out that reducing the intake of fatty foods actually reduces the calories the body receives. For example, one gram of fat contains 9 calories, while one gram of protein or carbohydrates contains 4 calories. However, weight can gain even if you eat low-fat foods.
He adds that eating healthy fruits (almost fat-free) instead of sweets can also lead to weight gain. For example, a woman should get an average of 1.3 thousand calories per day based on her lifestyle and physical activity. Eating two bananas and 300 grams of grapes provides half of her daily caloric needs, without taking into account eating main meals.
The nutrition expert confirms that the body will not be able to perform its functions without fat. Because fats participate in the metabolism process, the production of hormones, such as testosterone, the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K, and the immune system needs them, and even the eyes need fats.
According to him, the conversation revolves around “healthy” fats found in fish, vegetable oils and nuts. As for sausages, sausages, margarine, and pastries, they contain “bad” fats that negatively affect the health of blood vessels and average longevity. In general, a person needs, on average, about 200 grams of meat or fish daily, a tablespoon of vegetable oil, ten nuts, and 400-500 grams of vegetables and fruits.