Most people often associate invasive worms with parasites. Actually, a large range of prevalent parasites in people can cause unpleasant symptoms such nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Although many people may not show any symptoms of illness, parasites can be quite dangerous for certain people, especially those with weaker immune systems.
Concerns about parasites have led to a spike in interest in items that detox and cleanse them. Sadly, there is less evidence to support the idea that getting rid of parasites is good for gut health, and the consequences have not been well studied. If you suspect that you may have a parasite infection, consult your physician. Taking a Tiny Health test can also help you learn more about your gut flora and symptoms that may point to issues with your overall gut health for use Buy Ziverdo Kit.
Continue reading to find more about common parasites, preventative methods, symptoms of a parasite infection, and various treatments.
What are intestinal parasites?
First, let’s define a parasite. When someone eats or drinks something contaminated, microorganisms known as intestinal parasites get into their digestive tract. They are not bacteria, nor are they viruses. Instead, they can be separated into two main categories:
Let’s take a closer look at these two categories of intestinal parasites:
Protists
Protists are eukaryotes, which are essentially cells with a nucleus. They are not fungi, plants, or animals. Because they are made up of only one cell, they are undetectable to the unaided eye.The most common protist parasites that infect people are listed here. Protist parasites typically enter the body through contaminated food or drink.
Blastocystis is the most common genus of intestinal parasite in the United States and Canada. Blastocystosis is an infection that can cause diarrhea and stomach pain. However, Blastocystis is usually carried asymptomatically, meaning that it causes no symptoms.
Cryptosporidium is the causative agent of cryptosporidiosis.
Entamoeba is the cause of amebiasis.
Giardiasis is the causative agent of Giardiasis.
Cyclospora cayetanensis is the cause of cyclosporiasis.
Helminths
Helminths are categorized as multicellular parasitic worms. They may be so tiny as to be invisible to the unaided eye, or they may be so big. A significant portion of human illnesses are caused by soil transmission, even if tainted food or water may also spread helminth diseases. These parasites are significantly more common than their protist relatives, with estimates of over a billion infections worldwide. The most common helminth parasites that infect humans are:
Fleas, or trematodes The most popular method of acquiring them is through consuming raw or undercooked food, typically seafood.
Eating raw meat exposes one to the risk of contracting tapeworms, also referred to as cestodes.
Nematodes referred to as hookworms and roundworms These are categorized as soil-transmitted helminths, and the two most common ways to contract them are via coming into touch with contaminated soil or by eating helminth eggs directly.
Tiny Health gut tests are unable to detect helminths since they are multicellular worms. Consult your physician if you believe you may have consumed contaminated food or water and show symptoms of a helminth infection.
What symptoms indicate a parasite infection?
Protists and helminth parasites are two possible causes of intestinal disease. Parasites are commonly associated with these symptoms:
nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
stomach pain
Gas or bloating
Tired
reduction in weight
Conversely, asymptomatic carriage describes the fact that parasite colonization often causes no symptoms at all. We’ll talk more about the prevalence of asymptomatic parasite carrying later in this piece.
How can I avoid becoming infected with an intestinal parasite?
Parasites are almost always acquired in the following common ways:
consuming or swimming in contaminated water
Eating raw or undercooked meat or seafood
consuming contaminated or dirty produce
The best method for preventing parasites is to maintain good hygiene practices:
Be sure to give yourself a thorough hand wash.
Produce, including fruits and vegetables, should be cleaned before eating.
Only take water from safe, hygienic sources. This is especially important if you’re traveling somewhere where parasites are a widespread problem.
Ascertain that meat and seafood are consistently cooked to a safe temperature.
One may get exposed to parasites by traveling to places where they are common. This is especially true in tropical and subtropical regions, where there may be restricted availability to potable water and a warm, environment that supports biodiversity. Parasite outbreaks can affect fresh produce and water sources in countries like the US and Canada. Although they are rare, parasite outbreaks such as those brought on by Cyclospora cayetanensis or Cryptosporidium in produce like berries and lettuce do occur in North America.
How do intestinal parasites get treated?
If you are experiencing symptoms of a parasitic condition, you may find yourself researching home remedies for parasites. It is recommended that you get tested for parasites in your stool by your doctor. The best course of action can then be recommended by your doctor. Let’s now talk about common applications of parasite treatment.