What are parasites and parasitic infections?
Intestinal parasites are microorganisms which can live in the intestines. Some parasites cause issues while others can live for long periods inside the bowel without presenting any symptoms. Infection with intestinal parasitic worms is prevalent throughout the globe and affects millions of people. Children are especially vulnerable to an infection. A parasite can survive by taking over another organism, stealing its nutrients, and leaving behind toxic waste inside its host.
What are the symptoms of an infection?
Parasites cause several ill health conditions such as diarrhea, gastrointestinal upset, nervous system diseases, immune dysfunction, vaginal irritation, joint pain, and chronic fatigue. A chronic, undetected infection can cause several systemic problems. Signs of infection can also include nighttime restlessness, runny nose, and blisters on the lower lip inside the mouth. Infected individuals can also feel bloated, tired, and hungry. They can experience anemia, allergies, lethargy, headaches, fuzzy thinking, and widely fluctuating blood sugar levels. Restlessness, hair loss, diarrhea, arthritis, mineral imbalances, and nighttime teeth grinding can also occur. One or more symptoms could present and the severity can depend on the individual. Particularly with severe infections, intestinal parasites can also cause:
- Loose, bad-smelling stools
- Diarrhea
- Coughing
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Mucous in stools
- Abdominal cramps and gas
- Loss of appetite
- Distended abdomen
- Listlessness and feeling unwell overall
If you have symptoms which indicate a parasitic infection, you should be carefully tested at Dr. Connor’s office.
What treatment is used?
Antiparasitic drugs will be provided by Dr. Connor. For some parasitic infections, treatment won’t be needed. The infection may disappear on its own, but it is important to see Dr. Connor to determine if treatment is needed. Some drugs are designed particularly to eliminate parasites and some antibiotics or antivirals are effective. No single drug is effective against every parasite. Dr. Connor will run tests to determine what the best course of action will be.
