Blastocystis
Hominis and Blastocystosis: Are You Infected by This Mysterious
Intestinal Parasite?
Human
intestinal parasites are known to cause many mysterious
symptoms. People with an intestinal parasite may start out
with no symptoms at all, or they could have mild stomach
discomfort. As the intestinal parasite grows and multiplies,
it results in more serious symptoms like abdominal pain,
diarrhea, and weight loss.
One
example of a mysterious intestinal parasite is Blastocystis
hominis. Blastocystis hominis is a microscopic intestinal
parasite that can be found all over the world, including
in the United States. Blastocystis hominis causes an intestinal
illness called blastocystosis.
Once
thought to be a yeast organism, Blastocystis hominis is
a single-celled parasite that consumes other microbes in
the intestines for food. If you are infected with Blastocystis
hominis, the parasite could remain in your intestine for
weeks, months, or even years without your knowledge.
How
can this be, you ask? One reason is that the symptoms of
blastocystosis are similar to the symptoms of other common
conditions such as stomach viruses, colitis, and food allergies.
This confusion of symptoms sometimes causes patients and
doctors to treat the wrong ailment. In addition, compared
to other intestinal parasites, diagnosis for blastocystosis
is especially difficult. It could take several stool sample
tests to discover the Blastocystis hominis parasite in the
body.
Another
puzzling trait of blastocystosis is how it’s transmitted.
The scientific community is not sure how humans become infected
with the Blastocystis hominis parasite, but it’s more
common in areas with poor sanitation and inadequate personal
hygiene. Here are some recommendations believed to help
prevent blastocystosis:
-
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after using
the bathroom and after changing diapers.
-
Also wash hands with soap and water before handling food.
-
Wash and peel raw vegetables and fruits before eating.
-
Outside the United States, avoid un-boiled tap water,
uncooked foods, ice cubes, and fruit juices made with
tap water.
-
When in high-risk countries, eat foods that are well-cooked
and served hot. (Avoid room-temperature sauces and buffet
offerings.)
-
Also when traveling, close your mouth when showering and
use bottled water to brush your teeth.
Since
blastocystosis is tough to diagnose, many people with blastocystosis
symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain and cramps, anal
itching, weight loss, excess gas, bloating, fatigue) opt
for a natural parasite
cleanse. A natural parasite cleanse is a safe alternative,
can be done at regular intervals, and is able to rid the
body of many different types of human parasites. |
