You think I have parasites? Yes…. Yes I do….
I was taught in graduate school, that as therapists, we should always have a physician rule out physical causes of anxiety and depression, such as low vitamin D, or B, heart conditions, asthma, or diabetes, before we make a major diagnosis.
When people go to their physician with mental health concerns, which often pair with stomach issues, the treatment typically involves an anti-depressant, and some sort of medication to for the gut, usually omeprazole for adults or Miralax for kids. The root cause is not investigated. People are sold a bill of goods, particularly when it comes to Omeprazole, which is purported to “heal the gut” What isn’t often shared is that it has been linked to dementia, and it is physically addictive.
So what does that have to do with parasites? Let me ask, when was the last time you were treated for them? As humans: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites are pathogens that make us ill. Most of us have taken an antibiotic, we have used an herbal remedy or vitamin regimen to help rid ourselves of a virus, and most of us have been treated for athlete’s foot or a yeast infection. Parasites? Probably not. When you look up statistics for parasitic infections, the World Health Organization estimates that 25% of ALL people have a parasitic infection at any given time. When you look up rates in the United States. there are no records available, major medical organizations spread the story that parasitic infections are rare in the US. Although, now some researchers are speaking out, estimating 80% of Americans are infected.
How did this happen? In the 1950’s and 60’s people were regularly dewormed. Then over the course of the last 60-70 years that has stopped. We know Big Pharma caused the Opiod crisis. I believe that we will soon uncover the catastrophic damage that untreated parasitic infections have caused under the watchful, greedy eye of the pharmaceutical companies.
So what do we do? The World Health Organization recommends deworming twice a year, that’s a start. My recommendation to my clients if you have any autoimmune symptoms, treat. It won’t hurt you, there are lots of safe and effective methods. I always say, if I’m wrong, great, no harm not foul. If I’m right, you are about to feel a whole lot better.
So, let’s talk symptoms. Parasitic infections can cause the following:
Abdominal pain (mild to severe)
Persistant anxiety
Rash or skin problems
Fatigue
Restlessness or Disrupted sleep
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea or bloody stools
Stool urgency
Loss of appetite
Weight loss or malnutrition OR
Unexplainable weight gain
coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath
stomach pain or noticeable inflammation and bloating after eating sugar or simple carbohydrates such as white flour
Pot-bellied appearance
Grinding Teeth
Restless legs
Itchiness, all over the body, but sometimes most intensely around the anus.
Some things that you can look for on a standard blood test panel would be low red blood cell count, low vitamin D, elevated liver enzymes, thyroid dysfunction, or high calcium levels (in severe cases, your body is trying to calcify the parasites). Parasites, live in our digestive tract and travel to the lungs in part of their life cycle, so basically they can create all kinds of dysfunction in the body.
The most common parasitic infection in the world is caused by roundworms which live freely in the digestive tract and are very large. They can cause the unexplainable weight gain. Hookworms are also very common, but they attach to the lining of the digestive tract and are often the cause of anemia, and weight loss. Keep in mind, you usually will not see parasites, you will not know you have them until you treat for them. The one exception to that is pin worms. They live in the colon so it is more common to see them in stool.
Here are some over the counter products that can used to treat parasitic infections:
Honest Herbs wormwood capsules
If you are looking for food or daily supplements that can help, both pumpkin seeds and turmeric contain curcumin, which paralyze parasites.
Just remember pathogens cause disease. Pathogens. Your body probably isn’t faulty it just needs the proper treatment and nutrition. In another blog I will address, what to expect in treatment and what foods can help the process.