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Stomach parasites can cause discomfort and even death, with worms and protozoa being the most common types. Diagnosis is through laboratory testing, and treatment ranges from home remedies to antiparasitic drugs. Some believe most people have low-level parasitic infections, but this is not widely accepted by medical professionals.
Stomach parasites are parasitic organisms that inhabit the stomach or intestines of humans, often causing severe discomfort and in some cases leading to death. People can sustain certain stomach parasites for long periods of time, experiencing only minor symptoms, such as loss of energy and appetite, or some intestinal problems. Other stomach parasites can cause extreme acute responses very quickly, requiring quick and effective treatment.
Parasitic worms are one of the largest groups of stomach parasites and are one of the most common. Hundreds of types of worms can live in a human organism, ranging in size from microscopic to large enough to wrap around the arm. There are many different ways worms can infect people, but they generally make their way into the body through contaminated food. This is often food contaminated with human or animal faeces, but it can also be directly contaminated. Worms can also be introduced into an organism through sexual contact, insect bites, or simply by crawling into a person’s mouth, ears, or nose.
Roundworms are the most common group of stomach parasites and include hookworms, roundworms, pinworms, heartworms, and trichinosis. Of these, roundworms are the most common, with over a billion people infected worldwide. While not life-threatening in most situations, roundworms can cause severe pain, as well as skin rashes, asthma and, in the case of a large-scale infestation, severe intestinal blockages and damage.
Another large group of stomach parasites are the protozoa, or single-celled parasites. The best known of these are the amoebae, but others include neospora, cryptosporidium and giardia. Amoebic dysentery is caused by an Entamoeba histolytica infection and is most often spread through contaminated water. Amoebae can cause severe intestinal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and, in severe cases, liver complications. People often confuse so-called “traveler’s disease” with amoebic dysentery, when in reality it is usually caused by a simple viral infection.
Giardia is the most common stomach parasite on the planet and is usually introduced into the body by drinking contaminated water. Millions of giardia protozoa line the walls of the small intestine, sucking up any nutrients meant to be absorbed by the body. People who have giardia usually experience gas and loose stools, chills and feverish sweats, diarrhea, and severe stomach pains. If left untreated, giardia can cause malnutrition in the body and seriously compromise the immune system.
While it can be difficult to correctly diagnose a specific parasitic infection based on symptoms alone, stomach parasites can be easily diagnosed by having a stool sample run for laboratory testing. Stomach parasite treatment ranges from home remedies with few side effects, to intense antiparasitic drugs that can have serious damaging effects on the liver and other organs. There is a school of thought that argues that most people are in fact dealing with some low-level parasitic infection and they promote “parasite cleaning” at home to get rid of parasites. Generally, however, most medical professionals do not share this view.
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