Parasites are organisms that live off their hosts. They can infect anyone of any age, gender, background.
They obtain their food & nutrients from their hosts causing them harm in the process. They can enter our bodies through various methods, one of which is our diet. Intestinal parasites either feed on the food we eat, stealing important nutrients from our diet, or they feed on us.
Parasites also secrete waste/toxins. A perfect living environment is created for these parasites when we do not eliminate fecal waste from our intestines. This is why it is so crucial to have regular bowel movements and prevent toxins from building up as they can cause many health problems.
Parasite Symptoms
Infants
• Severe intermittent colic
• Persistent banging of head against crib
• Chronic crying Blotchy rash around the perianal area
Children
• Dark circles under eyes
• Hyperactivity
• Diagnosed with ‘failure to thrive’
• Grinding or clenching of teeth at night
• Constant picking of nose/scratching of behind
• Eating dirt
• Wetting the bed
• Restlessness at night
• Crying often or for no reason
• Tearing out of hair
• A limp which orthopaedic treatment has not helped
• Brassy staccato-type cough
• Convulsions or abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Recurring headaches
• Sensitivity to light and prone to eye lid twitching, blinking frequently or squinting
• Tendencies to bleed in the gums, rectum or nose
Adults
• Bluish cast around lips
• Distended abdomen
• Dark circles around or under eyes
• History of allergy
• Intermittent loose and hard stools, or chronic constipation
• Persistent acne, anorexia, anaemia, open ileocecal valve, skin eruptions, PMS, bad breath, itching, pale skin, chronic fatigue, food intolerances, sinus congestion, difficulty in breathing, oedema, bloody stools, ringing in the ears, anal itching, puffy eyes, palpitations, vague abdominal discomfort or invertigo.
• Grinding teeth
• Weight loss / gain, loss of appetite, insomnia, depression, moodiness, sugar craving, lethargy or disorientation
To assist prevention
• Foods such as ham, pork, bacon, prawns and crab should be avoided.
• All vegetables should be thoroughly soaked in well salted water and rinsed in running water
• Freeze meats for 3 weeks before consuming
• Avoid eating raw or rare meat
Some other symptoms may include diarrhoea, digestive disturbances, tiredness, feeling nervous and anaemia.
Check out this youtube video of an intestinal parasite.
© Merlee Harris 2009
