Intestinal Parasites Aren’t Super Common In The Us
Despite what you may have heard on TikTok, the majority of people in the U.S. aren’t likely to be walking around with an intestinal parasite or 12 inside of them. “These are relatively uncommon in the United States,” Cynthia Sears1, M.D., infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, tells SELF. They’re more likely in people who have traveled abroad to countries where certain parasitic infections are more common or in people who have a unique exposure based on where they live or work.
That said, parasites do happento millions of people, evenbut most don’t cause worms in your poop, and they usually don’t even lead to any symptoms. “There are plenty of people out there who have been exposed to a number of different parasitic organisms, though the overwhelming majority of them have no symptoms at all,” Mitchell Blass2, M.D., infectious disease physician with Georgia Infectious Diseases, tells SELF.
Many of the TikToks about this discussed a huge range of symptoms that could be associated with parasiteseverything from diarrhea and bloating to fatigue and insomnia. But these symptoms can also come along with so many other health issues.
“Those symptoms are quite vague and they’re quite nonspecific,” says Dr. Blass. “To say all of that is from an intestinal helminth, which is one of the worms that we can see, and to attribute all of those to it, I would say that that is singularly unlikely.”
How Long Should I Do A Parasite Cleanse
At Healthpath, we dont recommend you follow any kind of antimicrobial protocol long term.
Thats because the herbs and supplements that kill parasites and other unfriendly microbes can also kill friendly microbes. If you dont have enough friendly microbes in your gut, dysbiosis is likely to return in the future.
Again, thats why its important to work with an experienced practitioner. Among other things, they will recommend specific prebiotics and probiotics as part of your protocol, to keep your microbiome diverse and thriving.
Iodamoeba Btschlii And Entamoeba Histolytica
I. bütschlii and E. histolytica are both amoebas.14 The elderly and immunocompromised are especially vulnerable to infection by amoebas. Outbreaks usually happen in nursing homes and other community living facilities.
Infection of E. histolytica is called amoebiasis.14 Early symptoms of amoebiasis include abdominal cramping and diarrhea. If left untreated, these parasites can travel to the liver and form painful abscesses. They also travel to the brain, lungs, and spleen.15
Iodamoeba bütschlii is an amoeba common in pigs and humans. Much like Blastocystis, it was also previously thought to be non-pathogenic, but there have been challenges to that thought in recent years.16 One study published in Oxfords Molecular Biology and Evolution journal reported that high concentrations of Iodamoeba have been linked to episodes of diarrhea and abdominal pain.17 This same study found that Ioadamoeba is an incredibly diverse organism, meaning that different strains may pose a higher risk of causing illness than others.
Considering the unpredictability of Ioadamoeba, we believe the benefit of treating it outweighs the risk of leaving it unchecked.
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How Are You Diagnosed
If your doctor suspects you have pinworms, they may ask you to do a âtape test.â As soon as you wake up in the morning, youâll place a piece of clear tape around your anus, then gently peel it off. Any pinworm eggs will stick to the tape, which your doctor can see under a microscope in a lab.
A tapeworm infection is usually diagnosed by finding eggs or tapeworm segments in the stool. Your doctor may ask you to bring in a sample so a lab can look for eggs, larvae, or tapeworm segments. A blood test can spot antigens, foreign substances that let your doctor know your body is trying to fight the infection. Sometimes, an MRI or CAT scan can find cysts formed by the pork tapeworm.
How Do They Get Inside Our Bodies
They enter via various methods. Thro transmission agents such as mosquitoes and through our facial organs like the nose. Some also enter via the skin. The most common causes are poor hygiene, weak immune system, drinking contaminated water, exposure to parasite-infected areas, and consumption of undercooked, raw meat.
Usually, the infection occurs more in tropical/subtropical regions. But, infections can happen all over the world.
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How To Get Rid Of Parasites
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How To Get Rid Of Intestinal Parasites
Do you experience stomach upsets quite often? Is this coupled with a constant feeling of nausea and loose stools? You may be in for a shocker as you might be harboring worms in your tummy. Yes, it is creepy. But you can surely do something to get rid of intestinal parasites. How? Keep reading to find out.
In This Article
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What Are The Risk Factors For Parasites
Its not always travel that leads to a parasite, but it is certainly one of the most common causes. Food poisoning from contaminated food and/or water, overly affectionate pets, poor hygiene practices, a hot and humid environment or an outbreak in your towns water supply can all give you a nasty bug. You see, parasites are a normal part of life in every country on earth. Its whether your immune system and microbiome are strong enough to fight it off that really matters.
Its why we have stomach acid, good bacteria in our gut and an immune system to fight-off these bad guys. But, if you are stressed, intoxicated, fatigued, malnourished, have food sensitivities or any other illness or condition, your immune system is likely to be compromised, increasing your risk of a parasite with potentially lasting effects, like IBS.
Prior use of antibiotics also increases your risk of parasites. While antibiotics can sometimes be effective at killing a bacterial infection, they also destroy the good gut bacteria at the same time, creating an environment for opportunistic parasites to set up camp, proliferate and cause long-term chronic health conditions.
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Three: Strengthen The Body To Prevent Re
After 10 days on the Worm Out, you continue to eat lightly and take a high quality probiotic. I switch up my probiotics from time to time but one of my favorites is Just Thrive check prices at Perfect Supplements or Just Thrives site . Just Thrive is well researched to make it through the stomach acid alive to get where it really needs to go the intestines.
Since I was also taking probiotics with the garlic and the Worm Out, I spaced out the actual ingesting of them so that I wasnt interfering with the garlic by covering it up with a probiotic right away and vice versa.
Keep off the junk food and drink plenty of water, and after 10 days on the probiotics, most people will need another 10 days of the Worm Out, then back to the probiotics.
I wondered how I was supposed to know how many sets of 10 days to complete
How do You Know if the Parasites are Gone After a Cleanse?
The signs of parasites can be numerous but usually the one that convinced you to start the program has gone away after one set of ten days on the Worm Out formula and then ten days off, ten days back on for a total of 30 days of controlled dieting and cleansing.
The Parasite Cleanse And Diet
If you suspect you may have a parasitic infection, there is a natural way to treat it. Its called a parasite cleanse.
Parasitic infections have become more common with international travel over time. We now know that a variety of parasites can infect the intestinal tract, leading to a variety of digestive symptoms, such as constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and heartburn, as well as fatigue and chills.
A parasite cleanse involves eating a diet thats free of foods that can feed parasites and consuming more of the foods that are anti-parasitic, such antioxidant-rich foods. Its pretty close to a Paleo diet, which provides you with essential nutrients from things like probiotic foods, herbs, vegetables and more.
Supplements can also be helpful for supporting your gastrointestinal and immune systems while you recover on a parasite cleanse.
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Do Parasites Go Away On Their Own
In some cases, parasites clear up on their own, especially in a person with a healthy immune system. If the parasite causes concerning symptoms or may cause complications, doctors will likely order an antiparasitic medication that kills the parasite. Some people choose natural methods to clear their body of a parasite.
How Long Does It Take To Get Rid Of Intestinal Parasites
It typically takes between 2 and 6 weeks for symptoms to appear. People whose immune systems are weakened . People who have AIDS may experience increased symptoms for an extended period of time. When treating symptoms of psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, healthcare providers can suggest certain medications to reduce symptoms as much as possible.
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Preventing Future Parasite Infections
- Betaine HCL and Apple Cider Vinegar are helpful for folks with insufficient stomach acid, your guts first barrier.
- Digestive enzymes, Ox bile, and bitter herbs like coptis or genetian are helpful for folks with a sluggish gallbladder, liver, or pancreas, organs that help keep your body free of invaders.
- And ginger is helpful for those with sluggish migrating motor complex , which helps clean out the small intestine between meals. MotilPro is a fairly popular ginger supplement for helping MMC.
Did The Parasite Cleanse Work
When it came time last week to start a second round of Worm Out, I admit I chickened out. My back-of-the-neck rash was not getting better at all, and might even be starting to get worse. I know that sometimes when curing something like this, theres a die off sort of reaction that means Im winning the battle, but the symptoms are going to get worse first, then better.
The tricky, mentally exhausting part about self-treating and natural health is the questions, the not knowing. What if all this is a bad sign, that my body doesnt like these herbs, rather than a sign that Im healing? I didnt see any positive results from the Worm Out, and I started wondering: What if I dont have parasites at all? Is it possible I could do more harm than good?
My contact at TriLight Health with all the good info shared this:
This a great question: We ALL have bacteria, parasites, and viruses in our body, its a matter of keeping them under control with strong immune systems and by having some choice of which bacteria we want to have that can be good for us in that were going to be populated, but with what is the question. If we do not choose, life will choose for us and we have all kinds of illness labels to describe them!
I was encouraged by a recent reader comment on Facebook:
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4 Vieira C et al. .Effect of ricinoleic acid in acute and subchronic experimental models of inflammation. Mediators Inflamm. 2000 9:223-8
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What Is An Intestinal Parasite
A parasite is any organism that lives and feeds off of another organism. Intestinal parasites are tiny. Usually, they are parasitic worms that feed off the material in your body.
Some examples of intestinal parasites include tapeworms, roundworms, pinworms, whipworms, and hookworms. Intestinal parasites come in many forms, so they can cause a wide range of parasite symptoms.
Some intestinal parasites consume your food, leaving you hungry after every meal and unable to gain weight. Others feed off your red blood cells, causing anemia. Some lay eggs that can cause itching, irritability, and insomnia.
If you have tried to repair your gut and relieve your symptoms without success, an intestinal parasite could be the underlying cause.
My Experience With A Natural Parasite Cleanse Protocol
Taking garlic capsules for ten days is not a big deal at all the hardest part is remembering to do it.
Worm Out is a little more annoying, for a few reasons:
- Liquid means you have to grab a spoon I started just leaving the same one out on the counter with my bottle so we didnt have a spoonless household. Silly, but true.
- It tastes terrible, no joke. Just gotta be tough!
- Every 3 hours was just unrealistic for me. I couldnt keep it up. I lowered the bar and shot for 2-3 times a day, thinking that something is better than nothing.
As I mentioned, Worm Out did seem to constipate me, but I dont know that I was ideal on my colon cleansing foods and water intake especially. I have noticed that very stinky, stinky, gas has increased, but I cant quite remember if it was during or after the Worm Out regimen. Arent you glad you read my thoughts online instead of in person now? :/
Probiotics for ten days was also easy, since thats part of a routine thats important to me and Ive pretty much got it down so that I dont miss a day.
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How Do You Get Them
Pinworms are spread from feces to the mouth. It can happen directly, like when your dirty fingers touch your mouth or food. It can also happen indirectly, like when you touch an object thatâs contaminated with eggs. Tiny pinworm eggs can live on surfaces — toys, bathroom fixtures, school desks, or bed linens — for up to 3 weeks.
Once inside your body, pinworms make a home in your colon and rectum. At night, female worms come outside to lay eggs in the skin around your anus. If you scratch the area, the eggs get on your fingers or under your nails, then wipe off on the next thing you touch. This is why pinworms are spread so easily among young children.
Tapeworms can live outside for months, waiting for a host to come along. Youâre most at risk if you work around livestock or travel to a country where hygiene is poor. You can also be infected if you eat or drink something that contains tapeworm eggs or larvae, like raw or undercooked beef or pork.
Once inside your body, the tapeworm head attaches to the wall of your intestines. It uses the food you eat to grow new segments. The older segments, which contain eggs, then break off and leave your body with your poop.
What Is A Parasite
Elie M. Abemayor, MD, Sc.M.
A parasite is any organism that lives and feeds off another organism. Examples of parasites include:
- roundworms
- bedbugs
- scabies
Because parasites come in so many different shapes and sizes, they can cause a very wide range of problems. Some consume your food , leaving you hungry after every meal and unable to gain weight. Others feed off your red blood cells, causing anemia. Some lay eggs that can cause itching, irritability and even insomnia.
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