10 signs that you may have one or more parasites

Parasitic infections can lead to a range of health problems, causing many uncomfortable and even painful symptoms. Unexplained digestive problems, itching, anemia, muscle and joint pain, or an inability to feel full after a heavy meal are among the signs frequently observed to suggest the presence of a parasite. 

 

What is a parasite?

A parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host organism. It feeds on, or to the detriment of, its host. Parasitic infections can be as unpleasant as they sound, and more common than you might think. They can affect both physical and mental health, from digestive problems to symptoms akin to post-traumatic stress.

- Examples of parasites:

- roundworms (nematodes)

- tapeworms

- pinworms

- cheating

- hookworms

- lice

- giardia

- mosquitoes

- bed bugs

- scabies

 

How do you contract intestinal parasites?

The following factors may increase your risk:

- live in or visit an area where parasites are common

- international travel

- consuming contaminated food or water

- eating undercooked meats

- lack of hygiene or cleaning

- age (children and the elderly are more susceptible)

- proximity to or work with children or care centers

- a weakened immune system

- be a carrier of HIV/AIDS

- working with animals

- handling soil or waste

 

Beyond these classic causes, it must be acknowledged that the general lack of interest in human parasitology also plays an important role. Veterinarians receive in-depth training in microbiology and parasitology, while doctors focus mainly on pharmacology. As a result, effective chemical anti-parasitic treatments are often either unknown or difficult to access. This neglect explains why parasitic infections persist and become chronic, causing, in my humble opinion, most of today's chronic health problems.

 

*** Think about it for a second: if our dogs and cats need regular deworming, why should we be the only ones spared by a magic wand? Our bodies, too, may need a little cleansing from time to time.

 

20 possible signs of parasitic infection

1. Digestive problems (constipation, diarrhea, bloating, nausea, etc.)

2. Chronic fatigue or exhaustion

3. Skin problems (eczema, hives, rosacea) and respiratory disorders such as asthma

4. Muscle and joint pain

5. Anemia (fatigue, paleness)

6. Lack of satiety after meals

7. Itching, especially around the anus, but also around the nose

8. Bruxism (teeth grinding)

9. Insomnia and waking up at night, especially between 2-3 a.m. (no, it's not your liver!)

10. Bloating and gas, diarrhea, transit alternation and constipation +++.

11. Iron, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc deficiency ....

12. Hair loss (massive and constant) (no, it's almost never androgenic alopecia! grrr)

13. Burn-out

14. Hyperhistaminesis and SAMA

15. Hormonal disorders

16. Bipolar disorders, dys disorders, anxiety-depression, mood disorders...

17. Chronic Lyme

18. Chronic mycoses (candidiasis, fungus, yeast, mildew)

19. EBV CMV mononucleosis, recurrent herpes viruses ...

20. Mental fog

21. ...

 

 

Parasites are behind all HPV infections, chronic lyme, fibromyalgia, chronic digestive disorders, EBV or CMV mononucleosis, as well as herpes virus I and II infections.

 

Parasite screening

Functional coprocultures with PCR for helminths and parasites can, in some cases, reveal the presence of parasites, but not always.
In fact, if we eliminated parasites from the stool efficiently, we wouldn't have a problem! So it's difficult to see them in the case of an old infection. We usually see them in cases of acute infection.

Hyper-oesinophilia provides indirect evidence of their presence, as do IgG and IgM serology tests. So do hyper-histamiinoses and mast cell activation syndromes. Here is a non-exhaustive list of possible serologies: 

• Toxocara canis / Toxocara cati (toxocariasis)

• Strongyloides stercoralis (anguillulosis)

• Trichinella spiralis (trichinosis)

• Echinococcus granulosus / multilocularis (echinococcosis)

• Fasciola hepatica (liver flukes)

• Schistosoma spp. (bilharzia)

• Taenia solium / saginata (tapeworm or cysticercosis)

• Ascaris lumbricoides (ascariasis)

 

WARNING:

Serology alone is not always enough to make a diagnosis: it must be correlated with clinical findings (symptoms, eosinophils, imaging, coprology, etc.).

 

A positive serology may indicate an inactive past infection.

 

For an active intestinal infection, it is often necessary to supplement this with a parasitological examination of the stool (3 samples). For old infections, a single 24-hour sample is sufficient.

 

In another article, we'll look at the possible ways in which we can help you.