WARNING SIGNS
Over half of all Americans will at some point in their lives become hosts to parasites, according to health experts! Since the effects of infection reach far beyond the gastrointestinal tract, it behooves all of us to be on the alert for the wide array of bodily symptoms that signal the presence of parasites. Signs and symptoms may come about during initial exposure, shortly after that exposure, or many months later. What many of us are attributing to old age, stress, or plain old poor health may, in fact, be due to an uninvited guest.

The word "parasite" is from the Greek words para (meaning beside) and sitos (meaning food). Most medical dictionaries define a parasite as "an animal or plant that lives on or in another organism from which it obtains nutriment." A basic element in the parasite definition is that a parasite is "usually injuring" or "without contributing to survival." The relationship that is formed between the two organisms is defined as "parasitism." The present study is based on endoparasites, which live inside the body, rather than ectoparasites, which live on the body like mites and ticks. The organism that serves as the home for the parasite is known as the "host." The transmitting agent that carries the infecting pathogen is called a "vector."

The human being becomes a host through one of four pathways:
  • The first is infected food or water (sources of roundworm, amoeba, and giardia);
  • The second is via a vector, such as a mosquito (carrier of dog heartworm, filaria, and malaria), a flea (carrier of dog tapeworm), the common housefly (transmits amebic cysts), and the sand fly (carrier of leishmaniasis);
  • The third is from sexual contact (infected partners can transmit trichomonas, giardia, and amoeba);
  • The fourth is through the nose and skin (pinworm eggs and Toxoplasma gondii can be inhaled from contaminated dust; hookworms, schistosomes, and strongyloides can penetrate exposed skin or bare feet). The airplane can be considered another parasitic pathway or vector in its own right because extensive foreign travel has exposed people to a whole gamut of exotic diseases never before encountered in their homeland. (For in depth study of types of parasites, refer to reference at the end).
It is important to identify the parasite, size, site in host, portal of entry, source of infection, most common symptoms, laboratory diagnosis, therapeutic agents to see that practically every part of the human body can be affected by parasites. Most invaders inhabit the gastrointestinal tract (mainly the small intestine, but also the colon), with the circulatory system (blood and lymph) following close behind. During the adolescent or larva stages of their migratory life cycle, many organisms can invade the lungs. And organs like the heart, liver, spleen, eyes, and brain are not immune from the damaging effects.

While many of our unexpected visitors may be invisible, their symptoms can be very apparent. In this situation, the old adage" out of sight, out of mind" definitely does not apply. The warning signs for parasites are also symptoms of other common illnesses. For this reason, parasitic infections are often misdiagnosed and ensuing treatment does not result in the alleviation of symptoms or disease. When symptoms continue even after a course of treatment, parasite screening procedures should be initiated. The following are warning signs for parasites: constipation, diarrhea, gas and bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, joint and muscle aches and pains, anemia, allergy, skin conditions, granulomas, nervousness, sleep disturbances, teeth grinding, chronic fatigue, and immune dysfunction.

Basically, parasites create damage to the host's body in six ways:
  1. They destroy cells in the body faster than cells can be regenerated, thereby creating an imbalance that results in ulceration, perforation, or anemia.
  2. They produce toxic substances that are harmful to the body. In cases of chronic infection, the body's immune response can be pushed into overdrive, producing elevated levels of eosinophils. Eosinophils are specialized white cells that normally combat any microscopic pathogen, but when their level is elevated, they themselves can cause tissue damage that results in pain and inflammation. The presence of parasites irritates the tissues of the body, inducing an inflammatory reaction on the part of the host.
  3. Some parasites invade the body by penetrating the skin, producing dermatitis. During their develop-mental stage, other parasites perforate and damage the intestinal lining.
  4. The size and/or weight of the parasitic cysts, particularly if they are located in the brain, spinal cord, eye, heart, or bones, produces pressure effects on these organs. Obstruction, particularly of the intestine and pancreatic and bile ducts, can also occur.
  5. The presence of parasites depresses immune system functioning while activating the immune response. This can eventually lead to immune system exhaustion.
Not every case of ill health can be blamed on parasites. But if symptoms persist and reoccur at regular intervals after a person has been treated for some other diagnosed ailment, then parasites should be suspected. It is a good idea to keep track of the symptoms and look into the parasite connection with the assistance of an experienced health-care provider.

WATER AND FOOD CONNECTION
Food and water are the most common sources of parasite-based illness. Since most of us eat three times a day and drink water frequently throughout the day, our exposure to these sources is constant. Tap water has been found to be contaminated with parasitic organisms. Both plant and animal foods carry parasites, and cleaning and cooking methods often don't destroy them before ingestion. Today, because of environmental pollution, we all must pay careful attention to the purity of our water and the cleanliness of our food.

PARASITES: THE UNINVITED GUESTS, PAGE 2

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