What is a parasite?

A parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host organism and gets its food from or at the expense of its host.

Intestinal parasites are typically caused by protozoa (single-celled organisms that can multiply within your body) or helminths (worms and larvae that can't multiply in the human body). The most common types of protozoa in the U.S. include Giardia and Cryptosporidium and the most common helminths are pinworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and roundworms.

In many cases, intestinal parasites are transmitted through contact with infected feces usually by way of contaminated food, soil, or water. Pets and other animals can carry parasites and pass them onto people.

Risk factors for intestinal parasites include living in or visiting an area known to have parasites, poor sanitation, poor hygiene, exposure to child and institutional care centers, and having a weakened immune system.

How are parasitic diseases diagnosed?

Many kinds of lab tests are available to diagnose parasitic diseases. The kind of test(s) your health care provider will order will be based on your signs and symptoms, any other medical conditions you may have, and your travel history. Diagnosis may be difficult, so your health care provider may order more than one kind of test.

Illness & Symptoms

Giardiasis is the most frequently diagnosed intestinal parasitic disease in the United States and among travelers with chronic diarrhea. Signs and symptoms may vary and can last for 1 to 2 weeks or longer. In some cases, people infected with Giardia* have no symptoms.

Symptoms of intestinal parasites include:

• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue or weakness
• Gas
• Nausea
• Passing a worm in your stool
• Stomach pain or tenderness
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

*In children, severe giardiasis might delay physical and mental growth, slow development, and cause malnutrition.

Prevention & Control

There are simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from diseases caused by parasites.

• Practice good hygiene.
• Avoid eating raw or uncooked foods when traveling in countries with poor food and water treatment.
• Do not swallow water while swimming in pools, hot tubs, interactive fountains, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, streams or the ocean. 
• Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching animals, and avoid contact with animal feces.
• For people with weakened immune systems, be especially careful of contact with food or animals that could transmit these infections.

Treatments

If you have (or think you have) intestinal parasites, you may be interested in natural remedies to help restore your health.

Here at Science Based Wellness, our "go to" is Paradex - an herbal formula designed to support the elimination of intestinal parasites. We suggest taking Paradex once or twice per year to control parasitic diseases. If you eat lots of sushi, have pets, swim, or travel frequently, you can benefit by supplementing with Paradex! Purchase this supplement by calling our office! 904-834-2337