Parasites are defined as organisms that live off other organisms, or hosts, to survive. The effects of parasites can vary from mild to severe. Often, when patients only experience mild, nonspecific symptoms, the parasitic infection may go undetected for an extended period of time.
Parasitologist Dr. Omar Amin estimates that up to one-third of the population is infected with some type of parasite. This estimate is higher than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention numbers, which Dr. Amin says is due to the use of less sensitive testing. His own improved detection techniques revealed that parasites are more common than we think. In addition, he has found that several types of parasites previously thought to be non-pathogenic can indeed cause symptoms in some patients. Parasites can also be transmitted through exposure to contaminated water, juice, food, pets, and soil. A common misconception surrounding parasites is that they cause digestive issues only, but they are also capable of causing systemic illness and symptoms as well.
Enteropathogens (gut infections) are another area of interest in autoimmune disease and other chronic digestive disorders. Interestingly, the parasite Giardia lamblia has been shown to be related to the development of celiac disease (autoimmune response to the ingestion of the dietary proteins, gluten, and gliadin) since as early as the 1940s. And yet curiously, this rarely gets attention in the media or amongst gastroenterologists who are treating celiac patients. A private medical practice in Los Angeles, California conducted a study between the years 2000 and 2013 to investigate this link further.
The researchers took stool and saliva samples from 1,336 patients complaining of nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms and tested them for various types of gut pathogens as well as blood markers for celiac disease. Almost half of the subjects tested positive for at least one infection, while 13% tested positive for four or more! The most common infections were T. gondii and E. histolytica/dispar (parasites) and also H. pylori (gram-negative bacteria). A high percentage of subjects who tested positive for gliadin (one of the diagnostic markers for celiac disease) also tested positive for enteropathogens.
Other common parasitic infections include: trichomoniasis, giardiasis, and toxoplasmosis. Trichomoniasis (“trich”) is a common sexually transmitted infection. According to the CDC’s conservative estimation, approximately 3.7 million Americans suffer from trich. Symptoms typically begin anywhere from five to 28 days after this parasite is contracted and consist of discharge, itching, burning, and pain during urination. However, some people with this infection only experience mild to no symptoms. Luckily tric is easily treated with antibiotics.
Giardiasis is an infection in your small intestine and is caused by the microscopic parasite, Giardia lamblia. Symptoms of giardiasis generally show up one to two weeks after exposure and greatly vary, making it difficult to notice or diagnose like many parasitic infections. Symptoms include: fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain. Once diagnosed, Giardiasis is treated with antibiotics or other medications. Occasionally, Giardiasis will clear up on its own as well.
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. The CDC reports that over 60 million people in the United States are infected with this parasite, but few notice its effects. People who do develop symptoms may experience a fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, muscle pains, and a sore throat. Occasionally, this infection resolves on its own, but patients who are immunocompromised are at a greater risk of toxoplasmosis’s symptoms worsening. If left untreated, those with a weakened immune system can experience brain inflammation, seizures, lung infections, and more. Thankfully, toxoplasmosis is treatable with medications.
There is a wide variety of parasitic infections that can affect a patient’s quality of life. Holtorf Medical Group physicians are trained to recognize these types of infections and implement effective treatments, which may include dietary changes, supplements or other forms of treatment. If you believe you have a parasitic infection, contact a Holtorf Medical Group team member today.
