Parasitic infections, as unpleasant as they sound, are much more common than you think. Often, they are to blame for the various health issues we suffer from. From digestive issues to post-traumatic stress disorder, a parasitic infection can affect your physical and mental health.
Should You Be Worried? “While it is widely acknowledged that infections with some parasites can cause significant complications, not all parasites are cause for concern. Some symptoms caused by parasites can clear up on their own, and individuals with a healthy immune system may not experience any symptoms.
Parasites are organisms that live in, on or with another organism (host). They feed, grow or multiply in a way that harms their host. However, they need their host for their survival. For this reason, they rarely kill their host, but they often carry diseases that can be life-threatening.
The signs of a parasite are often caused by the toxins that it releases into the human bloodstream. Here are the most common symptoms: Unexplained constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, nausea or other symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. You traveled internationally and got diarrhea on your trip.
Certain intestinal parasites, like Giardia, can actually cause chronic fatigue syndrome that can lead to deficiencies and malabsorption of essential nutrients like iron and B12 in the body.
If the infec- tion goes untreated, adult worms can live for as long as 12-18 months. Patients with multiple parasites including Ascaris should always receive treatment for Ascaris first, due to the risk of migration of the worm in response to noxious stimuli.
This diet may include avoiding greasy, processed foods and eating natural, whole foods. Some parasite cleansing diets ask the person to avoid specific types of foods, such as gluten, dairy, or pork. Diets may also include the use of anti-inflammatory herbs and spices, such as garlic, turmeric, and ginger.
Eat more raw garlic, pumpkin seeds, pomegranates, beets, and carrots, all of which have been used traditionally to kill parasites. In one study, researchers found that a mixture of honey and papaya seeds cleared stools of parasites in 23 out of 30 subjects. Drink a lot of water to help flush out your system.
Fecal testing (examination of your stool) can identify both helminths and protozoa. Stool samples must be collected before you take any anti-diarrhea drugs or antibiotics, or before x-rays with barium are taken. Several stool samples may be needed to find the parasite.
Parasitic infections are diseases caused by organisms that live off of another living thing. They can cause fever, fatigue, intestinal symptoms, skin rashes or neurological symptoms.
Often they can go unnoticed, with few symptoms. But many times these infections cause serious illnesses, including seizures, blindness, heart failure, and even death.
Parasitic infections cause a tremendous burden of disease in both the tropics and subtropics as well as in more temperate climates. Of all parasitic diseases, malaria causes the most deaths globally.
Treatment for intestinal worms may not be necessary if a person has a healthy immune system. When treatment is needed it may include one or more antiparasitic medications to get rid of the intestinal worm such as: Albendazole. Mebendazole.
Blood tests such as an eosinophil level -- a type of blood cell that is increased in many parasitic diseases -- can be helpful, and occasionally stool tests are of benefit. A few people need skin scrapings or even biopsy of skin lesions that can be evaluated by a laboratory to determine whether a parasite is present.
These parasites feed on the nutrients that are meant for us thereby increasing the chances of nutrient deficiencies. At times these parasites can even pose a greater threat to our bodies because many of them carry diseases. It is estimated that around 80% of both adults and children have parasites in their gut.
- Avoid simple carbohydrates, such as those found in refined foods, fruits, juices, dairy products, and all sugars, except honey. - Eat raw garlic, pumpkin seeds, pomegranates, beets and carrots, all of which have been used traditionally to kill parasites. - Drink a lot of water to help flush out your system.
Cryptosporidium is resistant to chlorine disinfection so it is tougher to kill than most disease-causing germs. The usual disinfectants, including most commonly used bleach solutions, have little effect on the parasite. An application of hydrogen peroxide seems to work best.
Most experts recommend you do about two weeks of a parasite cleanse, taking the supplements above, then take a week off. After your one-week break, jump back into the plan for two more weeks. The protocol itself is an important part of your treatment, just as much as taking the supplements.
Parasites feed off of sugary foods (Cookies, cakes, sweeteners), and foods that convert to sugar quickly (grains, pasta, wheat, rice). Eating foods high in sugar will worsen a parasitic infection, causing it to spread quicker.
Albendazole and mebendazole are most frequently prescribed for treatment of intestinal nematode infections (ascariasis, hookworm infections, trichuriasis, strongyloidiasis, and enterobiasis) and can also be used for intestinal tapeworm infections (taeniases and hymenolepiasis).