PARASITES

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PARASITES

 

 

According to United Nations data: " Overall, about 1.5 billion people

have roundworms, making it the third most common human infection in

the world. Whipworm infects 1 billion people… More than 1.3 billion

people carry hookworm in their gut, and 265 million people are

infected with schistosomes. "

 

It is true that most of these infections occur in developing

countries, but the rate of parasitic-related disorders in North

America is skyrocketing. An astonishing number of people would test

positive for parasites. This is from the Parasitology Department of

the University of Cambridge, England: " Pinworm. An extremely common

nematode infection, particularly in temperate areas such as Western

Europe and North America… It has been estimated that the annual

incidence of infection is over 200 million, this probably being a

conservative figure. Samples of Caucasian children in the USA and

Canada have shown incidences of infection of 30% to 80%, with similar

levels in Europe. "

 

Humans can actually play host to more than a hundred different types

of parasites, ranging from microscopic ones to tapeworms that are

several feet long. Contrary to popular belief, parasites are not

restricted to our colon alone, but can be found in any other part of

the body—in the lungs, the liver, in the muscles and joints, in the

esophagus, the brain, the blood, the skin and even in the eyes!

 

" Parasites are the missing diagnosis in the genesis of many chronic

health problems, including diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and

endocrine system. Most individuals would be truly amazed if they knew

the extraordinarily high number of Americans who are unknowingly

infected by parasites… " – Dr. Hermann R. Bueno, Fellow of Royal

Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene of London

 

It is extremely easy to come in contact with parasites. Contaminated

water, undercooked meats, improperly washed fruits and vegetables, are

just some of the common sources of infections. Transmission from pets

or other infected persons is also quite common. Overuse of antibiotics

further adds to this problem as this can interfere with normal

intestinal flora and lower the body's resistance.

 

 

What are some of the symptoms of parasite infection?

 

Ann Louise Gittleman, author of Guess What Came to Dinner, writes:

" Over half of all Americans will at some point in their lives become

hosts to parasites, according to health experts. Since the effects of

infection reach far beyond the gastrointestinal tract, it behooves all

of us to be on the alert for the wide array of bodily symptoms that

signal the presence of parasites. Signs and symptoms may come about

during initial exposure, shortly after that exposure, or many months

later. What many of us are attributing to old age, stress, or plain

old poor health may, in fact, be due to an uninvited guest. "

 

She explains that the symptoms of parasitic diseases are often

mistaken for their common health conditions: " The warning signs for

parasites are also symptoms of other common illnesses. For this

reason, parasitic infections are often misdiagnosed and ensuing

treatment does not result in the alleviation of symptoms or disease.

When symptoms continue even after a course of treatment,

parasite-screening procedures should be initiated.

 

The following are warning signs for parasites:

 

* CONSTIPATION - Some worms, because of their shape and large

size, can block the intestinal tract and affect you just like

constipation.

 

* DIARRHEA - Certain parasites, primarily protozoa, produce

prostaglandin (hormone-like substances found in various human tissues)

which creates a sodium and chloride loss that leads to frequent watery

stools. The diarrhea process in parasite infection is, therefore, a

function of the parasite, not the body's attempt to rid itself of an

infectious organism.

 

* GAS AND BLOATING - Some parasites live in the upper small

intestine where the inflammation they produce causes both gas and

bloating. This worsens when hard-to-digest foods such as beans and raw

fruits and vegetables are eaten. Persistent abdominal swelling is a

frequent sign of parasite infection. These gastrointestinal symptoms

can last for years if you don't cleanse the parasites.

 

* IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME - Parasites can irritate, inflame, and

coat the intestinal cell wall, leading to a variety of

gastrointestinal symptoms and malabsorption of vital nutrients,

particularly fatty substances. This malabsorption leads to bulky

stools and steatorrhea (excess fat in feces).

 

* JOINT AND MUSCLE ACHES AND PAINS - Parasites are known to

migrate and encyst (become enclosed in a sac) in joint fluids, and

worms can encyst in muscles. Once this happens, pain gets worse and is

often assumed to be arthritis. Joint and muscle pains and inflammation

are also the result of tissue damage caused by some parasites or the

body's ongoing immune response to their presence.

 

* ANEMIA - Some worms attach themselves to the mucosa of the

intestines and then leach nutrients from the host. If they are

profuse, they can create enough blood loss to cause a type of iron

deficiency or pernicious anemia.

 

* ALLERGIES- Parasites can irritate and sometimes perforate the

intestinal lining, increasing bowel permeability to large undigested

molecules. This can activate the body's immune response to produce

increased levels of eosinophils, one type of the body's fighter cells.

The eosinophils can inflame body tissue, resulting in an allergic

reaction. Like allergies, parasites also trigger an increase in the

production of immunoglobulin E IgE.

 

* SKIN CONDITIONS - Intestinal worms can cause hives, rashes,

weeping eczema, and other allergic skin reactions. Cutaneous ulcers,

swellings and sores, papular lesions, and itchy dermatitis can all

result from protozoan invasion.

 

* GRANULOMAS - Granulomas are tumor-like masses that encase

destroyed larva or parasitic eggs. They develop most often in the

colon or rectal walls but can also be found in the lungs, liver,

peritoneum, and uterus.

 

* NERVOUSNESS - Parasitic metabolic wastes and toxic substances

can serve as irritants to the central nervous system. Restlessness and

anxiety are often the result of systemic parasite infestation.

 

* SLEEP DISTURBANCES - Multiple awakenings during the night,

particularly between 2 and 3 a.m., are possibly caused by the body's

attempts to eliminate toxic wastes via the liver. According to Chinese

medicine, these hours are governed by the liver. Sleep disturbances

are also caused by nocturnal departure of worms through the anus,

creating intense discomfort and itching.

 

* TEETH GRINDING - Bruxism - abnormal grinding, clenching, and

gnashing of the teeth - has been observed in cases of parasitic

infection. These symptoms are most noticeable among sleeping children.

Bruxism may be a nervous response to the internal foreign irritant.

 

* CHRONIC FATIGUE - Chronic fatigue symptoms include tiredness,

flu-like complaints, apathy, depression, impaired concentration, and

faulty memory. Parasites cause these physical, mental, and emotional

symptoms through malnutrition resulting from malabsorption of

proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and especially vitamins A and B-12.

 

* IMMUNE DYSFUNCTION - Parasites depress immune system functioning

by decreasing the secretion of immunoglobulin A (IgA). Their presence

continuously stimulates the immune system response and over time can

exhaust this vital defense system, leaving the body open to bacterial

and viral infections.

 

 

Cleansing the colon with proper diet and herbal remedies can also help

you get rid of parasites.