Patriot Health Digest
The thought of having a parasite is very unpleasant, but parasites are actually very common. And they are not restricted to underdeveloped nations. Parasites exist around the world and can afflict anyone, anywhere. They can trigger a range of symptoms, but only some of those involve the digestive tract.
What are parasites?
A parasite is an organism that feeds and lives off another organism. Some examples of such parasites include:
- roundworms
- tapeworms
- hookworms
- lice
- mosquitos
- bedbugs
Because parasites have so many sizes and shapes, they can lead to a wide set of different problems. Some eat the food inside your body before it is processed, leaving you always hungry. Others consume your red blood cells, leaving you with anemia. Some lay eggs that can lead to itching and things like insomnia.
How does someone get a parasite?
The most common ways people get parasite infections are:
- contaminated water and food
- meat that is under-cooked
- contaminated or dirty water
- contaminated vegetables and fruits
- petting animals who have a parasite
- the bottom of your foot
Once you have a parasite, it is very easy to give it to someone else. For example, if you don’t wash your hands after going to the restroom, you can easily pass parasite eggs onto any surface you touch.
10 signs you have a parasite
The symptoms and signs of parasites are very often caused by the toxins they release into the human bloodstream. Here are the most common ones:
- Unexplained diarrhea, constipation, bloating, nausea or gas
- You got diarrhea during an international trip
- You got food poisoning and your digestion never been the same after
- You have trouble going to sleep or you wake up multiple times at night
- Unexplained hives, rashes, eczema or rosacea
- Teeth grinding in your sleep
- Aching and painful joints or muscles
- Exhaustion, fatigue or depression
- Never feeling satisfied after a meal
- You were diagnosed with anemia
