Parasites are not great conversation pieces during dinner (neither is constipation) and yet these are real creatures that reside in our very being, making themselves at home, eating what we eat, breeding with wild abandon and making us sick and unhealthy our entire lives and we are not even aware of their existence!
What are intestinal or colon parasite worms? There are over 100 types of parasite worms living in our bodies at any one time. We get them through the air we breathe, transmitting agents like feces and mosquitoes, sexual conduct, skin, nose, drinking water and food. The four major categories of parasites (there are 3200 varieties!) are Protozoa, Trematoda, Cestoda and Nematodes. Let's look at a few of the common parasites that invade our intestines:
Hookworm -- This is a parasitic nematode worm that lives in our intestinal wall and feeds off our blood. There are two species found in humans, Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus. These creatures infect 800 million people worldwide. Due to their verocious appetite for sucking blood, they can cause an iron deficiency anemia.
Roundworm -- Also known as a nematode, this is one of the most common parasites in the world. It is unsegmented, bilaterally symmetric and has a complete digestive system. It has no circulatory or respiratory system and nutrients are absorbed via fluid. A typical symptom of a roundworm infection is upper abdominal discomfort, asthma, eye pain, insomnia and rashes. In large numbers, they can block the intestinal tract, appendicitis, hemorrhagic pancreatitis and many more serious conditions.
Pinworm -- Another nematode, this worm infects one out of five children. Symptoms are irritation of the anus or vagina, digestive disorder, insomnia, irritability or nervousness. 500 million people are infected with pinworms worldwide.
Whipworm -- Infection occurs through digestion of eggs found in dry goods such as beans, rice and other grains. It infects the large intestine. Symptoms of whipworm infection are bloody stools, pain in lower abdomen, weight loss nausea and anemia.
Tapeworm -- This type of worm belongs to a branch of the platyhelminths called celtodes. It anchors itself to the intestinal wall with suckers or hooks. Unlike hookworm, it doesn't feed off our blood but rather consumes our digested food. When these creatures become large and block the bowel, it robs us of nutrients. Let's look at a few types of tapeworms.
Beef Tapeworm -- This type of parasite can reproduce only in humans. It is found in uncooked meat & human feces. It can grow up to 8m long and can cause general nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea and loss of appetite.
Pork Tapeworm -- If you eat undercooked pork, you have a good chance of consuming pork tapeworm. Even though it is smaller than the beef tapeworm, it is actually more dangerous as it may cause cysticercosis, a condition of having a larvae called cysticercus. When ingested, it affects our central nervous system. What this means is that seizures and headaches may occur. If the cysts form in the eye, vision can be impaired and blindness may result due to the swelling and detachment of the retina. Heart lesions can lead to heart failure, though it may be rare.
The Broad Fish Tapeworm -- This worm is found in large marine fish. It usually finds its way into humans through raw or undercooked fish. This is the largest tapeworm in humans, averaging 10 m long! Infection from this worm is minor, such as megaloblastic anemia, due to the worm's consumption on vitamin B12.
The Dog Tapeworm -- This parasite is found in dogs. Children can get infected when their pet licks their faces and transfers the larvae through the mouth. Fleas that get into your fingernail can also cause these parasites to travel and find their way into your body. Some hosts have no symptoms and some may have diarrhea, abdominal cramps, rectal or anal itching.
The Hydatid Tapeworm -- You can find this worm in dogs, wolves and sheep. Humans can ingest the eggs through these animals' feces. The cysts grow in the liver, lungs and brain. When they become large, they will replace the tissue they live in. The only way to remove these potentially fatal parasites is through surgery.
Treatment of parasites in the intestine can be bought over the counter in supplement form and herbal treatments. We should also practice good hygiene such as washing our fruits and vegetables, cooking our food completely, boiling our drinking water and making sure our kitchen surfaces are clean (it's actually dirtier than our toilets!). If you have pets, keep their "toilet" area away from the kitchen, bedroom and living areas. Always wash your hands when handling your pets and after going to the bathroom.
Having parasites in our intestines or colon may also be the reason why we have a hard time losing fat due to the toxicity level in us. Colon cleansing, as well as cleansing of the gallbladder and liver is also recommended for optimum health.
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