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

Alternative Medicine vs Conventional Medicine - Pt 2
In Part 1 we discussed the fact that alternative medicine (so called) was being used in ancient times long before conventional medicine came on the scene. It is interesting to note that there were not so many diseases plaguing mortals in those days.
The Effects of Stress
Stress can affect you in four different ways:The Physical Effects of StressThese result in a physically perceived overload. These are present in many forms.
Understanding Aromatherapy
In the 1920's, a French cosmetic chemist named Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, was one day making fragrances in his laboratory, when he accidentally burned his arm. He then thrust his badly burnt arm into the nearest cold liquid, which turned out to be a tub of lavender oil.
Disabilities Stuttering
There are many types of disablity. Would people class stuttering as a disability?I think most people would probably say no, however I disagree.
Pyrethre: Pest Terminator
HistoryThe pyrethre herb is supposedly named after a famous temple in ancient Greece called Parthenon, hence the name Parthenium.In the 13th century, Welsh physicians used pellitory (pyrethre) as a remedy for toothache.
Hypnosis: Benefits You Can't Live Without
Hypnosis In The Real WorldWhen you think of hypnosis, do you get the image of a Freud-like doctor swinging a pocket watch to and fro in front of someone in deep emotional trouble? If so, you are not alone. However, this Hollywood image of hypnosis is far from true!You don't have to be a nut to use hypnosis.
Tips for Staying Young Eternally
What is something that goes up but never comes down? Your age!Aging is something that humans would love to conquer. Everyone seems to be obsessed in staying young.
Do Magnets Work?
The scientific explanation behind magnet therapy is that the magnetic fields produced by magnets (generating electromagnetic current) penetrates the human body thereby affecting the functioning of individual cells and improve the various disorders by taking care of the entire body system. Precisely how the magnetic fields do this remains a mystery, but there are several hypotheses.
Some Smells Cause Headache
Did you know that some smells cause headache?Its true, the intoxicating or stupefying fragrances of some perfumes and room fresheners are some of the odors, that if you inhale them long enough, you will find that these smells cause headache. This need not be something that you have used on your own body.
If Youre Unhappy with Your Pain Relief Meds, Heres a Whole New Class You Havent Tried
The 8 That Are Produced in Your BrainWhen you're in serious pain, the medications you're taking are mainly designed to neutralize the brain chemistry that relays pain signals. Here's why your subconscious may be more effective than drugs at doing that.
Home Saunas and Kits: Benefits, Pre-Planning, and Purchasing Tips
For quite some time now home saunas have gained massive popularity across the United States. A tradition first followed by the Finns about a thousand years back, the benefits of saunas have caught on in the United States with a lot of acclaim and acceptance.
How to Stop Bleeding Gums
Bleeding gums can be one sign of periodontal disease, gingivitis, or other serious problems. Other symptoms like bad breath, toothache, and receding gums indicate poor dental health.
Getting into The Zone with The Alexander Technique
Have you ever attempted to perform a simple act and completely failed? From completely mistiming a shot to losing balance at a crucial moment, the outcome may have fallen short of our intention and expectation. In contrast there are times when everything goes just right, every act is carried out to perfection with little perceived effort.
Health Benefits of Green Tea
For over 3000 years, the Chinese have been using green tea to treat all sorts of ailments, such as headaches and gastronomic problems. With a growing number of scientific data, there is no doubt that green tea is as essential for maintaining good health.
Revolutionary Medicine: Shockwave Therapy for Chronic Pain Sufferers
Stripped from the scenes from science fiction novels and films, shockwave therapy is a newage alternative to chronic pain sufferers. Utilized not only on humans for over 25 years for urologic and orthopedic conditions, shockwave therapy has even been introduced to veterinary and equine medicine as well.
MEDICINES use and ABUSE
Friends, The study below done a few years ago should scare the socksoff us all. We can do much better in this country.
Consultation Guidelines For Hypnotherapy
The initial consultation may well be the most crucial aspect of hypno-psychotherapy, if not all therapies. Everything from the interpersonal dynamic to the eventual success of the intervention has a basis in this first meeting between the client and the therapist.
A Constipation Home Remedy - Cayenne
Cayenne is a constipation home remedy that is effective in producing peristalsis in your colon and aids digestion. It can be used regularly at every meal and when needed for constipation.
Alternative Herbal Cures for Ailments
With the increased usage of herbs for treatment of ailments from Common cold to Cancer, there is an increasing need for authentic and unbiased information on various cures using herbs.Who is better qualified than the knowledge givers about herbs to give this Information to the whole world.
Alternative Medicine is Holistic, Western Medicine is Reductionist
The major difference between alternative medicine, or what I'll call holistic health, and Western medicine, is in approach.A Western doctor, or MD, sees his duty as searching out disease, diagnosing it, and treating it.

More Alternative Information:

Related Articles

Inflammatory Arthritis: Alternative Treatments
There are two main types of arthritis: inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis. Inflammatory arthritis can be treated naturally without drugs.
Back Pain and Pain in Other Extremities: If Nothing Else Has Worked, Try Doing Visualizations
(*In this group are included pain in the back, neck, shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, leg, knee, ankle, foot, and other extremities.)If you've had back pain or pain in an extremity for more than 90 days and haven't seen a doctor, you need to do so right away.
Benefits of Wheatgrass Juice - What, How, and Why!
Since the late 1960's, wheatgrass has become frequently discussed in health and medical circles as one of natures greatest gifts. Classified as one of the most abundant superfoods known to man, wheat (and more recently barley) grass has been celebrated for its nutritional content, cleansing and cell regeneration capabilities as well as being in a form that is easily and effortlessly assimilated and digested by our bodies.
Holistic Methods: Hemp Seed Oil and Aromatherapy in Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Aromatherapy is a well known holistic method for healing, but when boosted by the quickly penetrating carrier hemp seed oil, the healing potential is magnified exponentially. No other carrier oil can take the beneficial medicinal qualities of aromatic essential oils as quickly through the epidermis as hemp seed oil, so if your lotions and salves are missing it, you're not doing your body justice, but it's not too late?.
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.
About ADD ( Attention Deficit Disorder ), its Symptoms
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a condition that is usually characterized by behavioral and learning disorders. ADD generally diagnosed in children, mostly affects the boys than the girls.
Immunological Profile In Postpartum Women
Post-delivery, the whole of immune system is restored to normalcy during puerparium. One of the extensively studied immunological markers is the assessment of CA- 125.
How to Protect Your Family Against the Coming Pandemic
Most dictionaries define pandemic as "an epidemic that is geographically widespread; occurring throughout a region or even throughout the world."Recently, Klaus Stohr, the coordinator of the global infuenza program at the World Health Organization predicted a bird flu pandemic that would take more lives than the Spanish Flu of 1918 wherein 20-to-40 million perished.
Becoming A Certified Reflexologist
Reflexology is something I've used and loved since I was 8 years old. I began learning about Reflexology when my aunt bought me a book by Mildred Carter - whom I consider to be the mother of American Reflexology.
Health in the Self
What is health?Is health the absence of disease? Is health a birth right or simply luck? According to Ayuveda, India's ancient art of healing, the meaning of health is a single word: Swastha. Swa = self + Stha = established.
Detoxification and Your Health: The Bodies 7 Channels of Elimination!
If you want to be healthy you need to understand the seven systems that the body uses to eliminate waste and toxic matters.When these systems are working effectively the result is good health.
What Exactly is Alternative Therapy and How Does It Boost Your Health and Well-being?
My first yoga retreatI never wanted it to stop. It was a wonderful feeling of joy, love compassion and connection to everyone who was there with me.
Learn How to Do A Successful Gall Bladder Flush
To do a Gall Bladder Flush you will need the following ingredients:3 quarts of apple juice, fresh or from the dairy case, not w/preservatives1 cup olive oil, cold expeller pressed is best, virgin not light.1 cup of coke (optional but makes the oil taste less annoying)1 lemon, to be juiced at mixing timeUltra Phos dropsOxymag caps or PowderPROCEDURE:1.
Aloe Vera, an Alternative That Will Improve Your Looks and Your Outlook
Do you remember your teen years? Remember that schoolmate that had a less than perfect complexion and always seemed to be the object of cruel comments? Sure, you can relate to what I'm saying! Perhaps it was even you at the receiving end of those comments. Unfortunate as it may be, as a teenager, our outward appearance plays a vital role in issues of self-esteem.
Aromatherapy Candles
Nothing turns a commonplace, ho-hum room into a radiant, inviting setting faster than the flicker of a few ordinary candles scattered strategically throughout the room. Add scented candles and you can quickly evoke childhood memories, transport your imagination to a tropical island, or infuse the room with the crisp scent of a pine forest.
Title: Using Rhubarb for Constipation
Vegetables like fruits and their juices have healing properties because of the fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals they have. For constipation, vegetables are an excellent source of minerals and fiber.
How I Was Overtaken By Evil Eye Envy!
You are about to embark on a journey that only a percentage of the world's population has made. Throughout the journey, you will gain insight that will expand your horizons in the evil eye phenomenon.
Flax Seeds, Seeds, and Nuts For Constipation Relief
Here are a variety of home remedies for constipation using flax seeds with other seeds and nuts. They provide the fiber and oils that you need to relieve constipation.
Treatment Options for Hand and Foot Eczema
There are many kinds of eczema, and too few people who can tell you how to cure them. Scientists are trying get a better handle on the causes of such eczema as hand and foot eczema, but they may still have years to go before they find a tested and sound way to prevent the condition.
Not Now, I Have A Headache
Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?That's what I recently asked myself. Myths and legends often have their basis in a grain of truth.