Gut Parasites - Signs, Symptoms, and Effective Treatment Options

What are Gut Parasites?

Gut parasites are organisms that infect the gastrointestinal tract. They disrupt the normal digestion process and nutrient absorption. They live for months or even years in the human body if left untreated. Sometimes, they also lead to chronic health issues.

The Usual Suspects

1. Protozoa

They are microscopic single-celled organisms that have the ability to reproduce within the host organism. 

Examples of protozoa are,

• Giardia lamblia: This parasite causes giardiasis, leading to diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain and malabsorption. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the national public health agency of the United States, states that "Every year, more than 1 million people get sick from Giardia."

• Entamoeba histolytica: It causes amoebiasis, leading to severe intestinal inflammation, diarrhoea or bloody diarrhoea, fever and liver abscess. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the national public health agency of the United States, states that "Only about 10% to 20% of people infected with E. histolytica become ill. Even then, symptoms are often mild." 

2. Helminths 

They are a group of multicellular organisms.

Examples of helminths are,

• Roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides): These worms reside in the intestine and can grow up to 35 cm in length. They cause fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, cough or wheezing and malnutrition, leading to the inability to gain weight.
• Tapeworms (Taenia species): These are flatworms which grow up to 10 cm in length. They lead to loose stools, bloating, gas, hunger pains and craving for salty foods.
• Hookworms (Ancylostoma and Necator species): These worms attach themselves to the wall of the intestines and suck the blood, causing anaemia.
• Pinworms (Enterobius vermicularis): They are highly contagious gut parasites that lead to enterobiasis. Most often, they affect children leading to anal itching, sleeplessness, irritability and tummy ache.

How Do They Transmit?

Gut parasites can be contracted in many ways. Here are some common ones.

• Contaminated Food or Water: Unclean drinking water, unwashed produce and uncooked meat are the most common routes through which parasites enter your body. 
• Poor Hygiene and Sanitation: High risk of being infected if you do not wash your hands properly or you are exposed to unsanitary conditions.
• Contact With Infected Animals or Soil: Many parasites reside in soil and other animals. Walking barefoot and playing with pets without deworming them is a major risk.

Signs and Symptoms of Gut Parasites

Picture This: You're enjoying a fantastic meal, but your tummy suddenly feels like a spinning wheel. Or your jeans suddenly feel a little loose. Classic parasite drama!

Digestive Symptoms

• Abdominal pain or cramps that range from mild to severe.
• Bloating or gas is often misunderstood as indigestion.
• Loose stools or constipation, sometimes altering.
• Nausea and vomiting, especially with severe infections.

Systemic Symptoms:

• Parasites consume the host's nutrients, leading to weight loss even with a normal diet.
• Chronic infections can drain energy levels, causing weight loss, fatigue or weakness.
• Nutritional deficiencies and hookworms cause iron deficiency anaemia by feeding on blood.

Other Symptoms:

• Itchy skin or rashes are often seen with hookworm infections as the larvae penetrate the skin.
• Anal itching is a hallmark symptom of pinworm infections, especially at night.
• Changes in appetite are the most common symptom. Some parasites increase hunger, while others suppress it.

Diagnosing Gut Parasites

Suspecting that you have a parasitic infection? Your doctor might suggest certain tests to confirm it.

Common Diagnostic Methods

1. Stool Analysis
If your doctor suspects you are suffering from a parasitic infection. They might suggest a stool analysis. Stool samples are examined for eggs, larvae, or parasite DNA. 

2. Blood Tests
A blood test helps to know if you have an infection or not. An elevated level of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) suggests a parasitic infection. It also helps assess the specific antibodies or antigens that are associated with certain parasites.

3. Endoscopy or Colonoscopy
These procedures are done in severe or persistent cases.  A tiny camera is inserted either through the mouth (endoscopy) or through the anus (colonoscopy) to visualise the parasites directly in the gastrointestinal tract.

4. Imaging Tests
An ultrasound or a CT scan may be done to detect larger parasites or complications, such as liver flukes or hydatid cysts caused by Echinococcus species.

Effective Treatment Options for Gut Parasites

Medications

In most cases of parasitic infections, oral medications will help treat them.

Antiparasitic Medications

These are the medications that kill the parasites, stop their growth or paralyse them. 

For Protozoa;

• Giardia lamblia: It is treated with the help of antibiotics and antiparasitic medications such as metronidazole or tinidazole.
• Entamoeba histolytica: It is treated with metronidazole. Later, paromomycin is given to clear the cysts. 

For Helminths;

• Roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms: They are commonly treated with albendazole or mebendazole, which are antiparasitic medications that treat worms.
• Tapeworms: They are treated with praziquantel or niclosamide.
• Pinworms: They require a single dose of albendazole, which has to be repeated after two weeks to eliminate reinfections.

Supportive Medications

• Antidiarrheals: To stop excessive loose stools and prevent dehydration, loperamide can be used. It should be overused, as it may delay parasite clearance.
• Iron Supplements: Iron supplements can be given for anaemia caused by hookworm infections.

Natural Remedies

a) Garlic: It contains an antiparasitic compound called allicin. It helps boost the immune system, making it harder for the parasites to survive.

How to Use: Consume raw garlic or take garlic supplements daily. Crush the garlic, let it sit for a few minutes and then consume it. Crushing the garlic helps activate allicin.

b) Pumpkin Seeds: They are rich in cucurbitacin, which paralyses parasites and prevents them from attaching to the intestinal wall.

How to Use: Consume roasted pumpkin seeds as a snack or blend them into smoothies with milk or coconut milk to make a potent antiparasitic drink. Pumpkin seeds are very gentle and can also be used in children when they are suffering from intestinal worms.

c) Papaya Seeds: They contain enzymes like papain and carpain that help break down the structure of parasites and help excrete them. 

How to Use: Blend the papaya seeds with honey and consume them, or you can dry the seeds and powder them to use as a spice in your meals.

d) Wormwood: Doesn't the name sound interesting? It contains artemisinin that kills intestinal worms.

How to Use: Brew a tea by steeping a tablespoon of dried wormwood in hot water for about 10 minutes and enjoy the tea. It can also be consumed as a supplement.

e) Oregano Oil: It contains thymol and carvacrol, which have antimicrobial and antiparasitic properties.

How to Use: A few drops of the oil can be added to water or juice. It can also be taken as a supplement. It should be used carefully as it can lead to gastric irritation.

f) Turmeric: It contains a compound called curcumin, which is both antibiotic and antiparasitic.

How to Use: Use turmeric as a spice in your meals. Add turmeric and black pepper powder to warm water and consume it.

g) Cloves: They contain a potent compound called eugenol that destroys the parasite eggs and, hence, prevents reinfection.

How to Use: Brew clove tea by steeping it in hot water or use clover clove powder in your meals.

Note: Natural remedies are not the ultimate solution. They should complement the prescribed treatments and not replace them. Before using any herbal supplements, consult a healthcare professional.

Dietary Changes

What you eat always matters. Certain dietary changes help keep your gut healthy.

• Avoid Sugar and Refined Carbs: Parasites thrive on sugar, so reducing intake can limit their growth.
• Increase Fiber: Promotes bowel regularity, helping to expel parasites naturally.
• Hydration: Drink plenty of water to combat dehydration caused by diarrhoea.

Read more - Tips to boost gut health.

Practising food safety

• Avoid raw fish and meat.
• Thoroughly cook meat to temperatures of at least 145°F (62.8°C) for whole cuts of meat and 160°F (71°C) for ground meat and poultry.
• Let cooked meat rest for 3 minutes before carving or consuming.
• Wash, peel, or cook all raw fruits and vegetables.
• Wash or reheat any food that falls on the floor.

Preventing Gut Parasites

Just like an age-old saying, prevention is better than cure. Follow these practices to keep those freeloaders away.

a) Practice Good Hygiene

As kids, we have always been taught good hygiene practices. Implement them here. Wash hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and before meals.

b) Ensure Safe Food and Water

Avoid raw or undercooked meat.

Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Drink filtered or bottled water in areas with poor sanitation.

c) Avoid Barefoot Contact with Soil

Wear shoes outdoors to prevent hookworm infections.

d) Treat Pets Regularly

Deworm your pets regularly.

Maintain their hygiene - clean their paws after a walk. 

e) Travel Safely

If you're visiting developing countries, cook fruits and vegetables with boiled or purified water before eating, and avoid contact with soil that may contain human faeces.

Take precautions when travelling to areas with high parasite prevalence, such as avoiding tap water and eating at hygienic establishments.

To learn more about a gut-friendly travel guide, click here.

When to Seek Medical Help

Are you confused about when to visit your doctor? Here are certain symptoms that you should keep an eye on to decide when to seek medical help.

• If you have a continuous or severe abdominal pain.
• If you have been suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting for a long time.
• If you have been experiencing weight loss or fatigue even after consuming nutritious food.
• If you notice blood in stools.

Wrapping Up

Gut parasites can be terrifying, but they are definitely not invincible. 

They can disrupt your digestive health and overall well-being. But all you need is the right medication, remedies, and dietary changes to help you recover. 

Did you know they can be prevented? Following prevention techniques through hygiene and lifestyle changes is key to reducing the risk of infections. Stay informed, practice caution, and prioritise health to keep gut parasites at bay.

You’re one tap away to learn how to keep your gut happy in an Ayurvedic way.