Could You Have Parasites?

The Disgusting Truth About Parasites

A parasite is an organism that acquires its food, nutrition, and shelter by living in or on another organism. There are more organisms in the world that live as parasites than organisms that live otherwise. Over 130 different types of parasites use humans as their hosts. Many species of parasites show no socioeconomic boundaries and may be found in all climates. With the added mobility of our population, people may be exposed to a greater threat of parasitic infection than in the past. Since parasites can mimic familiar diseases, it can be a challenge to solve a parasitic issue. Roundworms infection has been misdiagnosed as peptic ulcer, and amoebic colitis is often mislabeled as ulcerative colitis. Chronic fatigue syndrome and yeast infections may really be a case of chronic giardiasis, while diabetes and hypoglycemia can be caused by tapeworm infection. The parasites’ own reproductive cycle, in which eggs or cysts are passed at irregular intervals, also makes accurate diagnosis tricky. The idea of harboring a living organism inside our bodies is repulsive and unpleasant. Learning about them and how to evict them, rebuild our health, and prevent them is the key to improved health and longevity. This is NOT a situation where ignorance is bliss!

How do we Get Parasites?

The human being becomes a host through one or more of the following four pathways:

1. Infected food or water (roundworms, amoeba, and giardia)
2. A vector such as a mosquito (dog heartworm, filarial, and malaria), a flea (dog tape worm), a house fly (amoebic cysts), and the sand fly (leishmaniasis)
3. Sexual contact with infected partners (trichomonas, giardia, and amoeba)
4. Through inhalation and skin contact (pinworm eggs  and Toxoplasma gondii can be inhaled from contaminated dust);(Hookworms, schistosomes, and strongyloides can penetrate exposed skin or bare feet)

A number of seemingly unrelated factors unique to the late 20th century have contributed to the unrestrained parasite epidemic and added to the increased risk of parasitic infection. Some of these factors include:

• The rise in international travel
• The contaminations of municipal and rural water supplies
• The increasing use of daycare centers
• The influx of refugees and immigrants from endemic areas
• The return of armed forces from overseas
• The continued popularity of household pets
• The increasing popularity of exotic regional foods
• The use of antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs
• The sexual revolution
• The spread of AIDS

How do Parasites Cause Damage?

Parasites cause damage to the host’s body in six ways:

1. They destroy cells in the body faster than cells can be regenerated, thereby creating an imbalance that results in ulceration, perforation, or anemia.
2. They produce toxic substances that are harmful to the body. In cases of chronic infection, the body’s immune response can be pushed into overdrive, producing elevated levels of eosinophils. Eosinophils are specialized white blood cells that normally combat any microscopic pathogen but when their level is elevated, eosinophils can cause tissue damage resulting in pain and inflammation.
3. The presence of parasites irritates the tissues of the body, inducing an inflammatory reaction on the part of the host.
4. Some parasites invade the body by penetrating the skin, producing dermatitis. During their developmental stage, other parasites perforate and damage the intestinal lining.
5. The size and/or weight of the parasitic cysts, particularly if they are located in the brain, spinal cord, eye, heart or bones, produces pressure effects on these body parts. Obstruction, particularly of the intestine and pancreatic bile ducts, can also occur.
6. The presence of parasites depresses immune system functioning while activating the immune response. This can eventually lead to immune system exhaustion.

Not every case of ill health can be blamed on parasites. If symptoms persist, however, and reoccur at regular intervals after you been treated for some other diagnosed ailment, then parasites should be suspected.

Do You Have Parasites?

Many types of parasites are so well adapted to living in their human host that no obvious symptoms are presented. They have been called the ‘great masquerader’ since many of the symptoms of parasite infection are nonspecific and resemble so many other conditions. It is therefore very easy to misdiagnose the cause of illness. If your health problems persist, think parasites. Worms and other parasites such as bacteria, and viruses are the unsuspected cause of many illnesses. The most common reported symptoms of parasite infection are diarrhea and abdominal pain. It is common that over half of the people with parasites are without obvious symptoms, but there still may be some nonspecific ones that could suggest that parasites are somewhere in the body:

• Foul smelling stools that are worse in the afternoon and evening.
• Bowel habits have changes over several days or weeks or even months.
• Abdominal cramps, rumblings, and gurgling in the stomach area at times different from hunger and eating.
• Pains in the chest or heartburn that didn’t exist before.
• Sore and swollen breasts not related to the menstrual cycle.
• Flu-like symptoms such as coughing, wheezing or fever.
• Food allergies to many different types of food.
• Itching around the anus, especially at night.
• Losing weight, yet having a ravenous appetite.

The following are some additional signs and symptoms of parasite infection:

Common Diseases Related to Parasites

Practically any part of the body can be affected by parasites including the eyes, brain and heart. The most vulnerable area and home to the majority of parasites found in humans is in the small intestine, followed by the colon, blood and lymph system. They can also make their way into the lungs, muscles or other tissues. Some cause pain, others do not, and still others cause cancers.

This is Part 1 of your parasite education. To learn more, continue on to learn about Protozoa, Nemotoda (Roundworms), Cestoda (Tapeworms), Trematoda (Flukes) and Spirochetes. Or learn How to Treat Parasitic Infections. Download my FREE Parasites Booklet.