Do I Have Intestinal Parasites? Signs, Testing, and Treatment

You may remember making mud pies as a kid, crawling around in the dirt, and grabbing handfuls of it to present to mom as “yummy pie.” Now and then, an earthworm probably found itself an unwanted ingredient in your pie. Don’t worry; intestinal parasites are NOT QUITE like those creepy-crawlers you might be imagining. 

Still, the idea of intestinal parasites inhabiting your body isn’t the most pleasant thought. There’s also the fact that they can severely disrupt your immune system and gut health. Yikes! 

In this article, I will share with you all the details about intestinal parasites, signs you may have them, how to test for them, and most importantly, how to get rid of those pesky parasites. 

What Are Intestinal Parasites? 

You probably remember from high school biology class that a parasite is any organism that lives and feeds off another organism. 

An intestinal parasite is a tiny organism, and usually, it feeds off of the material in your body. For example, some intestinal parasites consume your food and leave you unable to gain weight while others consume your red blood cells, leaving you anemic. 

Common intestinal parasites include tapeworms, roundworms, pinworms, whipworms, and hookworms. They can cause a wide variety of symptoms. The surprising reality is that a lot of people have some sort of a parasite, even healthy people with no symptoms. The key here is whether or not that parasite is fueling disease. 

How Do I Get An Intestinal Parasite? 

It is shockingly easy to contract an intestinal parasite. A lot of people believe that you will only get one from a developing country, but that’s not true. 

The most common way to contract a parasite is from eating undercooked meat, raw fish, and contaminated fruits and vegetables. Wading into lakes, ponds, and creeks can also be places where you may get a parasite. Other ways parasites may enter your body include walking around barefoot and handling animals. 

Sadly, once a person is infected with a parasite, it is easy to pass to others. If you have an intestinal parasite and do not wash your hands after using the restroom, you may pass along tiny parasite eggs onto anything you touch. So, wash those hands! 

Signs of Intestinal Parasites

There are many different types of intestinal parasites, which means there are also a significant number of symptoms you may experience. Signs of intestinal parasites often appear unrelated and unexplained. However, when you work with a functional medicine doctor they will be able to connect the dots and get to the root cause of your symptoms, especially with the help of a few tests. 

 The following list contains 10 symptoms that usually signify intestinal parasites: 

  1. Anemia 
  2. Bruxism (teeth grinding) 
  3. Never feeling full or satisfied after a meal 
  4. Unexplained constipation, gas, or bloating 
  5. Unexplained fatigue 
  6. Joint and muscle pain 
  7. Skin issues like eczema 
  8. Diarrhea after traveling 
  9. Itching of the anus or vagina 
  10. Sleep problems like insomnia 

Additionally, parasites can release toxins into your bloodstream that cause feelings of anxiety because they can interact with your neurotransmitters or blood cells. This can lead to mood swings, skin irritations, muscle pain, and trouble sleeping.  

Intestinal Parasites and Associated Conditions 

If you are dealing with a gut imbalance or a compromised immune system, you could likely have intestinal parasites. Additionally, both of those issues will make you more susceptible to contracting parasites. See how it can become a vicious cycle? 

For example, intestinal parasites can cause and perpetuate autoimmunity by triggering intestinal permeability or leaky gut. Conversely, when you have a leaky gut or an autoimmune disease, your body is primed for an overgrowth of parasites. 

Leaky gut occurs when bacteria, toxins, viruses, and food particles escape from gaps in your intestinal walls into your bloodstream. These foreign particles trigger an immune response which leads to a spike in inflammation. This can then lead to a host of autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto’s, and Graves’ disease. 

How To Test For Intestinal Parasites 

If you suspect that your symptoms are due to an intestinal parasite, it is critical to work with a functional medicine doctor who can order and interpret the correct tests. Many conventional tests come back with a false-negative because the DNA of the parasite has gone dormant by the time it reaches the lab. 

Also, you may think that a blood test is necessary, but actually, a stool test is more effective. In particular, the GI-MAP test is a great DNA-based stool test that amplifies the DNA of any parasite or pathogen present.

How To Get Rid Of Intestinal Parasites 

If it turns out that you DO have intestinal parasites, you are going to want to get rid of them. Not only are they causing you debilitating and uncomfortable symptoms, no one likes the idea of intruders hanging out in their bodies!  

Conventional Treatment Options for Parasites

The conventional treatment option includes a round of prescription anti-parasitic medication. Some of the side effects of this type of medicine include nausea, vomiting, headaches, weight loss, and insomnia. The damage caused by the parasites before treatment will determine if you need additional pharmaceutical intervention. 

Natural Treatment Options for Parasites

There are many natural herbs that contain powerful anti-parasitic properties. There are also a few foods that you can eat that parasites hate. For example, raw garlic, coconut oil, ginger, and apple cider vinegar have all been shown to help reduce and kill intestinal parasites. These are great options if you want to take an all-natural approach or even use them alongside conventional treatment. 

Parasite Die-Off 

One thing to be aware of when you are riding the body of parasites is “parasite die-off.” When you first begin to get rid of the parasites, you will feel great. However, if you quickly feel flu-like symptoms, don’t be alarmed. 

Parasites can release neurotoxins, heavy metals, viruses, and other toxins when they die. Your body may respond to this elevated toxin load with uncomfortable detox symptoms, like headaches or the exacerbation of current symptoms. Basically, you may feel worse before you feel better. 

However, when you work with a professional, they can help relieve your parasite die-off symptoms to make you more comfortable during the process.

Work with a Functional Medicine Doctor Located in Maryland

If you want more information about a holistic approach to getting rid of parasites, book your FREE consultation call with Dr. Stewart. She uses state-of-the-art lab testing & analysis and lifestyle approaches as the first approach in tackling parasite issues for a more natural and long-lasting solution.