There are many people who have parasites in their bodies, but are not aware of that. Just imagining that is an awful thing. Parasites are actually microorganisms that live of other organisms, thus anybody is able to get parasitic infection.
Some of them cause diseases directly, while other cause diseases by the toxins they produce. Parasites live and feed of the body, and there are several types: pinworms, lambia, hookworms, tapeworms, trichinella, and dientamoeva fragillis. There are types that survive on the food the person consumes, some lay eggs inside the body, and some feed on the red blood cells. They enter the body through our skin or mouth and the infestation occurs due to exposing to areas that have parasites, travelling to places with parasite infestations, intake of contaminated water or food, poor sanitation, poor hygiene, a weak immune system, and close contact with pets.
There are different symptoms which appear when there is a parasite in one’s body, see what they are:
- Chronic digestive problems – when there is intestinal parasite infestation, inflammation is being cause which destroys the intestinal lining to the gut. This leads to chronic diarrhea. The toxic waste which is produced by the parasites causes gas, bloating, nausea, constipation, and burning sensation in the belly. If you consume foods which are high in fiber and are highly alkaline daily, and you still experience diarrhea, or other digestive problems, then you should consider parasite cleanse.
- Abdominal pain – the parasites that live in the upper small intestinal region cause irritation and inflammation, leading to bloated feeling and pain. Parasites are able to block the passage of waste products to exit the body, leading to pain in the abdomen (the upper part). Such pain is connected to roundworm, fluke, hookworm, or tapeworm intestinal infestations. According to one study from 1986, hookworm infestation is the main cause of abdominal discomfort, especially adults that have recently travelled abroad. Visit a doctor is you have a sudden onset of severe abdominal pain from time to time.
- Anal itching – those who suffer from pinworms complain of anal discomfort or itching which appears often at night when the female worms lay eggs – it is caused as they migrate to lay the eggs around the anus which irritate it and cause crawling, itching sensations, or even an acute pain. If the area is being scratched, then the skin may easily break down, increasing the risk of a secondary bacterial infection. Due to itching happens at night, sleep disturbances and restlessness may appear. If this happens for a period longer than 2 weeks and there is no sign of rashes, visit a doctor.
- Fatigue and weakness – it is connected to intestinal worms which deplete the body of vital nutrients by feeding on the food you consume. When there is malabsorption of essential minerals, fats, vitamins, and carbohydrates, the body becomes weak, which leaves you exhausted, depressed, and a feeling of apathy. You remain exhausted at mental, physical, and emotional levels. The toxic metabolic waste overload which is produced by the parasites can cause the organs work harder in order to eliminate the waste, leading to fatigue, low energy, lethargy, and excessive weakness. You should consult a doctor if you feel unrelenting fatigue, even after eating and sleeping properly.
- Change of appetite and weight loss – increased appetite in the combination with weight loss is notices in cases of tapeworm or pinworm infestation. It occurs because the parasites eat a great amount of the food you eat, making you feel hungry more than the usual. You might feel a strong early morning hunger, and you may not feel saturated or full after eating a meal. Consult a doctor if you experience weight loss with an increased appetite.
- Mental distress – when there is parasite infestation in the body, visual hallucination, anxiety, depression, and mood swings may appear. These symptoms are often being paired with digestive problems. There are neurons and neurotransmitter (serotonin) that are significant for a healthy enteric nervous system in the intestines, thus the toxic metabolic waste that is produced by parasites residing in the intestines can attack the neurons and neurotransmitter, causing mood swings, restlessness, nervousness, and even depression. Scientists say that the inflammation in the intestine can lead to inflammation in the brain, and the other way around. Visit a doctor if you have sudden mood swings, or you feel depressed.
- Teeth grinding – bruxism happens during sleep because of anxiety and restlessness caused by waste and toxins released by parasites in the body. There was a study published in the Dental Research Journal in 2010 which confirmed the connection between parasitic infestation and bruxism among small children. Pathogenic parasites serve to cause teeth grinding among small children, thus if you notice such symptoms in your children, then examine their stool at the doctor’s.
- Anemia or iron deficiency – roundworm or pinworm infestation leads to anemia as the parasites steal the good vitamins, including iron, leading to iron deficiency. Indian Pediatrics published a study in 2003 where there was a prevalence of intestinal parasites up to 30-50% and anemia from 40-73% among school-going girls (2-4 years old) in Gulbarga, Karnataka. This issue is likely to be more common due to bad hygiene, poor awareness, illiteracy, and other allied factors. There were reports from another study from 2008 published in the Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice which showed worm infestation and anemia in preschool children of peasant farmers in Calabar, Nigeria. Anemia severely affects the development and growth of the children. There is slow growth and weight loss in children who are infested with parasites, thus if in case you notice this sign, you should immediately visit a doctor.
- Skin issues – the body inflammation caused by parasites can lead to skin issues like rashes, hives, eczema, and other forms of allergies. The waste and toxic which are released by the parasites can increase the levels in the eosinophils levels in the blood, leading to sores, lesions, swellings, and ulcers. Parasites may also lead to dry skin, brittle hair, and hair loss. Consult your doctor before you start any treatments for skin irritations or unexplained rashes, hives, rosacea, or eczema on your own.
- Pain in the muscles and joints – there are certain parasites that invade the soft tissue in the muscles and joints, and they become enclosed in a cyst-like manner, resulting in irritation and pain. This is often mistaken for arthritis. Parasites release toxins causing inflammatory response in the body and the pain can be experienced as a result of the immune system’s response to the parasites. If the pain does not go away, but it gets worse, visit a doctor.
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