Parasites: The Missing Diagnosis?


Parasites, commonly thought of as only affecting those in developing countries, actually affect 1 in 6 people in North America and are the most common disease condition in the world. For many chronic conditions this can be the missing diagnosis. For example, amebiasis can be misdiagnosed as Chron's disease, and roundworm can be mistaken for peptic ulcers. IBS, food allergies, and chronic fatigue syndrome have all been found to have parasitic causes.

WHAT IT IS

A parasite is an organism which lives off of a host body, such as humans plants and animals,feeding on the nutrients, cells and organs of the host. Some reproduce by producing thousands of eggs, or simply replicating by cell division, within the host. Living in the body, they often move around and graze, eating cells and draining nutrients from the host's tissues, while secreting fecal wastes.

CAUSES

Transmitted in a variety of ways,it is likely that everyone is host to some type of parasite. Transmission can occur through ingestion of cysts contained in comtaminated food & water, person-to-person contact, cockroaches, houseflies, etc. as in the case of amebiasis, giardiasis, Some are spread by insect bites, (Chagas' disease, malaria). Most microbial infections come from our food and water sources but can also be transmitted by human or animal contact. Simply petting and grooming our pets can cause infection as parasites' eggs pass from their fur to our hands, nose and mouth. Some parasites (e.g. pinworms) can even be transmitted through the air and are in the dust we breath. It's likely, therefore, that those who live in the same household will all have the same parasitic infections, whether they are currently symptomatic or not.

SYMPTOMS

Wide-ranging symptoms can be chronic or acute and include:

NAUSEA

VOMITTING

DIARRHEA

BLOOD OR MUCUS IN STOOL

ITCHY SKIN

SKIN RASHES

ABDOMINAL PAIN

FLATULENCE

SULFUROUS BURPING

DECREASED APPETITE

WEIGHT LOSS

INTENSE ITCHING AROUND ANUS AND /OR NOSE

SLEEP DISTURBANCES

ABNORMAL VAGINAL DISCHARGE

LIVER/SPLEEN ENLARGEMENT

DIAGNOSIS

Unless a lab is is experienced in looking for microbial infections it is highly like that diagnostic tests will miss them because they take so many different forms within their many stages of development.

TREATMENT

Conventional treatment involves the use of parasiticides which are generally very toxic, even in the small doses needed, and thus, must be used carefully. These drugs are also generally specific for only one particular parasitic organism at certain stages of parasitic development. Because of the cunning survival strategies of parasites, and the fact that most are motile, they can quickly migrate from the area of the body that is being treated. Herbal treatments are generally more successful at treating the differing stages of parsitic infection and for dealing with parasites for which there are no conventional treatments available.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Practice good hygeine.

Keep nails short, especially children's.

Wash hands often, especially after using toilet.

Launder bedding often in hot water.

Avoid suspect water sources.

Freeze fish for 24 hrs before eating to kill tapeworms.

BENEFICIAL HERBS

AGRIMONY

ARTEMISIA (WORMWOOD)

BARBERRY

BETEL NUT

BLACK WALNUT

BROMELAIN

CLOVES

ECHINACEA

GARLIC

IPECAC

PAU D' ARCO

PRICKLY ASH

WOLFBERRY

Coconut Oil contains antifungal properties and can be used topically or taken internally.

About The Author

Cori Young is an herbalist living in the Pacific Northwest.


More Resources

Lower Back Pain Relief Strategies
It is astonishing to note that back pain is a standout amongst the most well-known diseases influencing individuals in today's reality. We have to concede to ourselves that we disregard our backs in a larger number of routes than one and guarantee to take positive steps towards administering a tough back.
Manipulate The Body And Mind With A Portable Massage Table
A portable massage table can be very essential tool. Massage therapy is a hands-on manipulation of the soft tissue and joints of the body and using a portable massage table can make giving and receiving a massage that much easier.
Injured Athletes and Acupuncture
I have always been amazed at the clinical results that I have seen with injured athletes and acupuncture. For a while, my wife and I worked closely with a number of athletes from a world championship athletic team, the Santa Barbara Condors At the world class level, these athletes would be compared to world cup soccer players in the way their body is used and abused.
ADHD The Easier Solution
ADHD is a very rapidly growing part of the health care industry. The symptoms are varied, including: irritability, hyperactivity and behavioral problems.
Alzheimers Disease: Notes from a Medical Intuitive's Casebook
In my medical intuitive practice, I have often been consulted by family and friends of those whose parents or loved ones have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The origin of this disease is unknown, however much attention is being placed upon the growth of Amyloid plaques in the brain.
Natural Remedies For Treating a Cold
Sometimes it can be hard to escape that shivery feeling that happens when you get too cold. A good immediate remedy for this is to wrap yourself up in a douvet and stick a hairdryer up it, (making sure the air flow is not restricted) until you feel warmed up.
Dopamine Relieves Pain - Try Encouraging Your Subconscious To Supply It
Dopamine has long been known to be linked to positive experiences such as eating and sex. But it's now known to be released when you're in pain, so you may want to try increasing your supply of it--naturally.
Thyme: Elegance Drifting Through the Ages of Time
Thyme is a herb that has been cultivated for centuries for both its medicinal and culinary uses.HistoryThe use of thyme has been recorded since 3000BC when the Sumerians used it as a medicinal ingredient while the Egyptians used it in the mummification process.
Liver Spring Cleansing
The liver is the second largest organ in the body and the skin is the first. Every year, you can make sure your liver is healthy by doing a liver cleanse during spring.
Fitness-related Benefits of Massage
Ask someone their reason for getting a massage and you're likely to hear "because it feels good". We all know that a massage can relieve stress, help to make sore muscles feel better and even reduce anxiety, but can it help us achieve our fitness goals? Research shows that the massage you get to relieve stress can also have a positive effect on your muscle-building capabilities and fitness level.
Natures Way To Relieve Arthritis Pain
PINEAPPLE AND PAPAYASMedical authorities say that pineapples and papayas can relieve arthritis pain.Research shows that pineapples and papayas have potent anti-inflammatory properties from high levels of bromelain and papain, which are natural enzymes.
Once You Discover and Act on This 'Secret' to Health and Energy, You May be Changed for the Better
I discovered something completely, 100% amazing about 5 years ago. The first thing it did for me health- wise was get rid of my back problem to the point that I no longer needed the chiropractic treatment that I would get once or twice per month.
How Dirty Dishes And Stale Bread Saved The World
Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?That's what I recently asked myself. Myths and legends often have their basis in a grain of truth.
Biofeedback: Applying the Mind to Health
What is biofeedback?In biofeedback you expand self-awareness and practice powerful self-healing under guidance. This is often done with measuring devices to train for relaxation.
Have you Fed Your Good Bugs Today?
Most consumers have heard of probiotics and know that they are foods containing live, beneficial bacteria. Foods such as yogurt, buttermilk, miso or kefir are the most recognized foods providing 'good' bacteria for the gut.
Keeping Well When Monsoon Dwells
First showers of monsoon are heartily welcomed by everyone after experiencing the scorching heat of summer. But monsoons reduce the immunity of our body and make us susceptible to many diseases which are commonly associated with this season.
The Future of Healing...
Your FUTURE is NOT in a doctor's office or a vial of prescription drugs.Western medicine has done a wonderful job in treating our symptoms and masking the pain of physical imbalances with drugs that cost a small fortune.
About Candida, Its Symptoms & Treatment
Candida is a fungal infection affecting the moist external area of the body like mouth, nostril, in side folded skin and vagina basically of a parasitic fungus. There are many types of Candida fungus like Candida Parapsilosis, Candida Tropicalies, Candida vini and sub-types named after the infected areas like Cutaneous Candidasis, Thrush, Vaginal Candidiasis, Penile Candidiasis, Pulmonary Candidiasis, Esophagus Candidiasis, Invasive Candidiasis and the treatments for respective infections are identified.
Constipation Relief With Fruits Part III
Here's another group of fruits that you can use to get constipation relief. Use these every day for desert or in between meal.
Natural Healing For The Body
Back-to-Nature AromatherapyBack-to-nature is a new health initiative by people living in modern society. Aromatherapy, which stems from natural plants, has also became a favourite in modern day living.

More Alternative Information:

Related Articles

What Happens During a Pain Relief Visualization Session
A visualization session is an hour-long conversation with your subconscious about what visualization statements you may be able to use to help relieve your pain. Here's how the session works.
Why Most People Dont Really Want to Heal (Part 2)
The story so far..
Use Fresh Herbs In Your Cooking
Many common herbs that you might use in cooking are well known for there healing properties. Using them in cooking is a great way to incorporate the healing attributes of natural herbs with your meals.
Basilic : A Priceless Uplifter
"The smell of basil is good for the heart, it taketh away sorrowfulness, which commeth of melancholy and maketh a man merry and glad". (John Gerard)History of BasilThe history of basil is shrouded in a kaleidoscope of age-old stories and legends.
Water: The Best Medication Ever Created!
How much water do you drink every day? The majority of people do not drink enough!In 1995 Dr. F.
Five Simple Steps For Treating Heel Pain
If you experience a sharp pain in your heel at the first step in the morning, chances are you have plantar fasciitis (plan * tar fash* ee * I * tis). "Plantar" means the bottom of the foot.
Can We Sleep For Three Hours and Still Function Normally?
Polyphasic sleep - also known as *Uberman's Sleep Schedule*, consists of six daily naps taken every four hours instead of one long sleep every night (monophasic sleep)The naps can last from a minimum of 10 minutes up to 30 or 40 minutes. 25 minutes is considered optimal.
Cold Laser Therapy: Hope for Arthritis
Having had the rare, first-hand opportunity to observe cold laser therapy treatment in action, I am impressed at its remarkable ability to help in healing with rheumatoid arthritis.As my dad suffers from various maladies, including having a heart defibrilator.
Why DO the Japanese Have the Longest Lifespan? Part 2: Live the Lifestyle
Why do the Japanese have the longest lifespan? Last month you learned to eat the things Japanese people eat, and now you will learn how to live like they live. Fast, long, and lively best describes a usual day in Japan.
Relaxation
We talk a lot about stress in our society, but very little about relaxation. Odd, isn't it? The ability to relax is, in my view, undervalued.
Treating Arthritis- Naturally
There are actually three common types of arthritis. These areOsteoarthritis which is the most common, affecting around 16million Americans with an average age of 45.
The Secret Weapon To Beat SARS Is In Your Head
Just when you thought you had all the fun you could possibly handle with Saddam Hussein, North Korea, Al Quaeda and the winter that just won't die, along comes SARS - severe-acute respiratory syndrome.I recently fielded a call on this subject from one of my biggest fans: "You moron.
The Chevreul Pendulum - A Tool for Accessing Your Subconscious About Your Pain
The Chevreul pendulum is a simple device for communicating with the subconscious mind to learn what it thinks you can do to relieve your pain. Chances are good that you'll be able to use it, since about 90% of the people who try it are able to gain information from it about their pain.
10 Essential Food Safety Tips For AIDS Sufferers
Persons with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) areespecially susceptible to illness from food-borne pathogens.Because they're at higher risk for severe illness or death,affected persons must be vigilant when handling and cookingfoods.
So What is Organic?
With allergies on the increase and sensitivities to synthetics becoming life threatening,we are looking for products which aren't going to make us sneeze or break out in rashes or irritate our children's sensitive skin. We scan the supermarket and health food store shelves and find there is a huge range of products on our shelves that claim to be "all natural" and "organic", but are they?When it comes to skin care or body products, the ingredients used are generally derived from plants.
Arthritis Relief and Your Diet
Arthritis affects more than 40 million Americans and is referred to as the most common chronic disease in people over 40. Doctors believe there are over 100 different forms of arthritis, all sharing one main characteristic: they all cause joint inflammation.
Constipation Home Remedies Using Juices
Apple Juice, Figs and RaisinsHere's another constipation home remedy using apple juice with other fruit. Eat it the first thing in the morning before breakfast.
Natural Healing For The Body
Back-to-Nature AromatherapyBack-to-nature is a new health initiative by people living in modern society. Aromatherapy, which stems from natural plants, has also became a favourite in modern day living.
As The Primary Caregiver, Should I Journal My Feelings About Alzheimer's Disease?
Being a caregiver is stressful and difficult. It involves contradictory feelings, thoughts and frustrations.
History of Essential Oils
Extracted from botanicals, that is, from plants and trees. They are part of the plants immune system processed by distillation but others such as the citrus oils may be extracted in different ways.