Parasites survive on their hosts. Parasites siphon-off essential nutrients from hosts, and thus ensure their survival. Parasite are known to harm their host in the process. However, most parasites do not cause their hosts’ death. But how to do a parasite cleanse? It is useful to know more. Of multiple forms of parasites, protozoa are single-celled organisms. They are the primary reasons for diseases like malaria and giardiasis. Transmission of several forms of protozoa occurs through contaminated foods or water; some can spread through insects like mosquitoes.
You may also get a parasitic infection through insect-bites and also by eating contaminated meat. Once you get infected, you may pass it on to a partner while having unprotected sex or other such intimate contact of bodily fluids. You can even get infected when you touch contaminated surfaces.
On the other hand, multicellular, parasitic worms include tapeworms, roundworms, flukes – to name a few. These are capable of entering into your body via contaminated food, water, or through skin i.e., when you come in physical touch with infected people. Some of the most widely spread helminthic parasites are Schistosoma (commonly referred to as fluke), Taenia solium (also known as tapeworm), and Ascaris lumbricoides i.e., roundworm.
Like the epidermis, for its survival, ectoparasites relies on the external surface of the host. These are of another genre of parasites. Irritation, itchiness, discoloration, etc. are a few common problems these parasites trigger on your skin. Salient examples of parasites of this genre are lice, ticks, fleas, etc. These parasites may cause the onset of conditions such as scabies and mange.
Parasites are also bucketed in several other ways:
Endoparasites are tapeworms or roundworms. These are quite the opposite of ectoparasites
Obligate parasites – these are ones needing a host to survive; without a host, these perish
Mesoparasites - are of a less-common genre; these get attached to the host with its frontal portion serving as an anchor – firmly bonding with the host’s body
Facultative parasites are parasites that do not expect to live on the host itself.
Symptoms of a parasite infection
Symptoms of presence of parasites or their infections vary from one genre of species to another. There are times wherein symptoms of a parasitical infection may remain asymptomatic; the signs show up only after it has aggravated. Beware of asymptomatic infectious conditions; infected people can transmit their condition to those coming in close contact with them.
You may discern most of the typical symptoms; these include bumps or elevated inflammation-spots on your skin, formation of rashes, and your skin may turn itchy. Body weight loss occurs. A loss of weight is attributed to parasites sucking off nutrients from your system, thus depriving you of essentials.
An acute pain in your lower abdomen is one of the distinctive side effects of parasitical infections. Along with the above discomforts, fever, diarrhea along with vomiting, feeling of being weak at all times and fatigue are some of the other commonly observed side effects. However, not these symptoms are not solely indicative of existence of parasites; there are a few medical conditions capable of trigger almost similar discomforts.
What is parasite cleansing?
Parasite cleansing is a process done with the use of diets that detoxifies your system. These detox-diets can help you rid of parasites – especially those living inside your gastric tract. Parasite cleansing is done through a three-pronged approach:
- Use of herbal supplements such as grapeseed, anise, wormwood, clove, and goldenseal
- Intake of items known for their anti-inflammatory properties; these are herbs and spices such as apple-cider vinegar, turmeric, garlic, ginger – and such other herbs
- Keep off items like gluten from your daily diet; also, avoiding greasy foods, and taking more of fiber-rich foods
Following these changes help boost your immune system. However, for those already living with a parasitical infection, changes made to diet alone may not help.
Before start of cleansing, you need to consult with a healthcare provider; your caregiver will conduct needful diagnosis and isolate the type of parasites afflicting you. Most commonly ordered diagnostic tests are stool sample analysis (Ova & Parasites test / O & P) to detect presence of eggs parasites lay. Your caregiver may also recommend a standard panel of blood tests or imaging tests for added clarity.
Parasite cleansing involves intake of herbal supplements. Clove oil is one cleansing aid, grape seed extracts are another, anise is one, and wormwood and goldenseal are the other cleansing aids. However, consulting with a qualified caregiving team is a key prerequisite prior to taking any of these herbal products and supplements.
Turmeric is one of the best options available for parasite cleansing. A key compound called curcumin makes turmeric a potent anti-parasitic substance. Curcumin is endowed with therapeutic properties to cleanse several types of parasites.
Parasite cleansing and its risks
There are a few challenges in parasite cleansing and ensuing detoxification. The possibility of likely health risks looms at large. You may witness:
- Gastrointestinal discomforts such as like diarrhea, pains and changes in appetite levels; beware of diarrhea – this can make you dehydrated
- Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies
- A marked drop in your energy level
Most supplements may not have the regulatory nod from drug clearing authority – food and drug administration (FDA). It hence becomes essential to know of active ingredients each supplement is made of.
Other options pursue treating parasitical infections
Treatment of parasitic infections is done with the intake of anti-parasitic meds. Most are available as prescription drugs; these paralyzes parasites living off your gastric channel and stop their cycle of reproduction. Once their procreation stops, growth too comes to a grinding halt.
Often times, to kill and get relieved of the parasite, you may just need a single dose of these meds. However, your caregiver will schedule frequent checks to know status of healing and if you need additional treatment.
Upon diagnosing a drop in your nutrient-levels – due to parasites living off your alimentary canal, your healthcare provider may prescribe vitamins and other supplements of nutrients. Vitamins is a staple offering as they can reinstate your nutrient-balance.