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Parasitic Infection – Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Management Options

A parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host organism, often humans, which becomes the source of food and nutrition for parasites, enabling them to multiply and infect the host’s body. They are classified into three primary types: protozoa (single-celled organisms), helminths (multicellular organisms), and ectoparasites. Parasitic infections are quite common in tropical and subtropical areas, where the temperature is favorable for such infections to develop and affect millions.

Parasitic Infection – Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Management Options

Common symptoms
Parasites can make a home in multiple parts of the body, affecting several organs and causing the following problems:

Issues with digestion
Unexplained nausea, gas, diarrhea, and constipation could indicate a developing parasite infection. Parasites usually live in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and trigger an immune response in the body that varies depending on the location of the infection. Several of the symptoms of parasites in humans overlap with common digestive problems and can often be overlooked or misdiagnosed.

Bloating
Bloating is a visible symptom where gas buildup causes the abdominal area to expand. It is quite common among people affected by GI disorders. However, bloating triggered by a parasitic infection also causes the stomach to distend and swell outward. This is a clear symptom of severe parasite infection in the abdomen, requiring immediate diagnosis and treatment.

Felling unsatiated
Even after having a full meal, one might not feel completely satisfied and content. This could be triggered due to tapeworms (a type of parasite) that attach to the stomach lining and feed on the foods and beverages one has. The nutrition here is lost before the body can even absorb it, and as a result, one feels hungry despite having regular meals. Feeling unsatiated is often accompanied by an unexplained loss in body mass.

Persistent fatigue
Chronic fatigue can often be triggered by the malabsorption of essential vitamins and minerals that regulate bodily functions. If the body lacks iron and vitamin B12, fatigue can set in quickly and without prior warning. This happens because the parasites feast on the foods and beverages before their nutrients can be directly absorbed by the body. Parasites also attack healthy cells causing them to bleed and lose blood via stools, increasing the risk of anemia.

Itching and skin problems
Skin parasites can burrow deep and lay eggs causing the skin to itch. In response to the invasion, the immune system produces antibodies that release chemicals. This also triggers an allergic reaction, causing hives and rashes to develop. If left unchecked, such parasitic infections and allergic reactions increase the risk of chronic skin problems like eczema and rosacea, among other skin disorders.

Body ache and joint pain
Parasites invade the skin and muscle tissue by burrowing deep to destroy healthy cells. This triggers a release of inflammatory toxins that cause pain and affect the mobility of joints. Intestinal parasites ingested from uncooked meats cause muscular aches and joint pains as the infection continues to spread. If left unchecked, the invasion can also affect movement.

Diagnosis
Gastroenterologists suggest a combination of a fecal test, blood test, CT scan, MRI, X-Ray, scotch tape test, and even a full colonoscopy to detect parasites in the region. Tests can vary depending on the severity of the problem and the location of the parasites.

Management options
Treatment for human parasites can vary depending on the type of parasite and affected areas. Here are some common options:

Prescriptions: This option can target parasitic infections like trichomoniasis, giardiasis, and amoebiasis, found only in the gastrointestinal tract. Certain prescriptions actively target tapeworms, a parasite that attaches to the intestinal and abdominal walls causing bloating, gas, and abdominal pain. Specific antimalaria prescriptions may also be given to counter parasites that cause toxoplasmosis resulting in flu-like symptoms in adults.

Combination of options: Doctors may recommend prescription options, topical creams, and lotions to target worms that burrow deep into the skin, causing skin or eye infections.

Surgery: This option is recommended for rare cysts that develop on major organs triggered by a parasitic infection. Doctors must physically remove the parasites or larvae that are about to hatch out of the eggs laid by the tests.

Alternative treatment: Some doctors suggest homeopathic treatments to get rid of parasites and prevent the recurrence of infections.

Natural parasite treatment: A few home remedies for parasites can help in preventing mild infections and alleviating moderate discomfort.

Parasite cleanse: Doctors suggest a parasite cleanse using natural and herbal supplements added to daily nutrition to flush out the infection-causing worms. Anise, barberry, black walnut, clove oil, coconut oil, curcumin, curled mint gold thread, goldenseal, grapefruit seed extract, oregano oil, and Oregon grape are among the top items to include in cleansing recipes.

Changes in daily nutrition: Adding and limiting certain foods and beverages also be great anti-parasitic measures that lower the risk of infections. For instance, papaya seeds, pumpkin seeds, wormwood, propolis, and healthy probiotics contain compounds that help clear out parasites through stools. Nutritionists also suggest adding more fiber-rich foods and vitamin C and zinc sources for boosting immunity.

Prevention
Parasites invade the body from the outside, mostly via foods and beverages prepared by questionable means. Many parasites are water-based, so exposure to infected water sources increases the risk of infection. Adopting safe eating habits and general hygiene practices greatly lowers the risk of frequent infections. One can wear protective clothing, ensure protection from mosquito bites, and avoid general exposure to unsanitary areas to lower the risk of infection.

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