Watch What You Eat; the Dangers of Ciguatera Poisoning Fish has always been a favorite among many people. The benefits of consuming fish are numerous, and there are several varieties that are edible and range in flavors, textures, and health benefits. Spearfishing is especially common in tropical areas, and more often than not, used to feed families or for profitable purposes. Spearfishing is a hobby for some, and a way of life for others. Unfortunately, spearfishing has its dangers, as do most activities. A common danger associated with spearfishing is Ciguatera poisoning. This rare, but potentially painful food borne illness is caused by a toxin found in a variety of tropical fish. What is Ciguatera Poisoning? Ciguatera is a food borne illness that affects humans who eat marine species that are contaminated with the toxin Ciguatoxin. This toxin is found in the fish’s flesh, and affects the human body when it is consumed, most commonly from tropical waters. Ciguatoxin is resistant to heat, so even cooking the affected fish will not remove the toxin from the seafood. Ciguatoxin follows the pattern of many other toxins, and it accumulates in lower level organisms, furthering the strength of the toxin as it moves its way up the food chain. Humans being the top of this particular food chain, get the strongest strain, and can become very ill after consuming the affected food. This trend suggests biomagnification, and hence the lower level organisms are not affected by the Ciguatoxin, as the strength is considerably lessened. Although there are a variety of fish that can cause Ciguatera poisoning, the predators near the top of the food chain, like moray eels, groupers, parrot fish and barracudas are among the most troublesome species of seafood for humans to eat. Location of Ciguatera Poisoning Ciguatera poisoning is most common in tropical waters, as it is most frequently associated with consuming the fish that are caught in those waters. The most common place for Ciguatera poisoning is in fish from the Pacific and Caribbean tropical waters. There are over four hundred species of fish and marine species that carry the ciguatera toxin and hence avoiding all consumption of reef fish is suggested. Recent studies have also shown ciguatoxin to be found in farm-raised salmon. The best way to avoid being poisoned by ciguatoxin is to completely avoid consumption of all tropical reef fish, which is defined as those living in warm tropical waters. One cannot necessarily protect themselves without fault, but they can certainly avoid the situation in which ciguatera could enter their body by not consuming reef fish. Symptoms of Ciguatera Poisoning Ciguatera poisoning can present itself much like food poisoning, or in worse cases can mimic the flu and neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Two main areas affected by ciguatera poisoning is gastrointestinal and neurological functioning. Gastrointestinal symptoms can be identified by severe nausea and vomiting, and in some cases diarrhea. Much of the time, the gastrointestinal symptoms lead to neurological problems that range from headaches and muscle aches to paresthesia, numbness and even hallucinations. Those who have been affected and are sexually active or breastfeeding should look for symptoms in their partners and babies, as ciguatera poisoning can be transmitted through sexual intercourse and breastfeeding. Lasting Effects of Ciguatera Poisoning Recovering from ciguatera is a slow and painful process, but many of those affected with the disease recover over time. The recovery process can last from weeks to years, and in some extreme cases it has been known to last up to twenty years, which can lead to long term disability. Patients who do recover often times will redevelop symptoms in later years, and the relapse can be caused by consumption of alcohol, fish or fish products, eggs, chicken, fumes, and exercise. Ciguatera has been identified as a long term illness, as even if the symptoms go away, the patient has to continue to watch their intake to avoid relapses. Treatment of Ciguatera Poisoning Unfortunately for those affected with ciguatera poisoning, there is no effective treatment. Ciguatera poisoning tends to run its course until the strain is removed from the body completely. There are a variety of medications that can be used to keep the patient more comfortable during the process. Medication such as Amitriptyline can reduce symptoms such as paresthesia and fatigue, and steroids and vitamin supplements support the body’s recovery process. Due to the location of most of the poisoning cases, homeopathic remedies are often used to ease the discomfort of ciguatera poisoning, though their effectiveness has yet to be proven. Ciguatera poisoning is incurable, but there are measures one can take to help ease the discomfort and pain while going through the healing process.