The average person does not know a whole lot about parasites and in fact, most U.S. physicians are unaware how widespread parasitic infections are. They might even tell patients that their idea of being infected with parasites is “all in their head.”

In actuality, patients aren’t suffering from a “parasitic delusion disorder.” Quite possibly, parasites are contributing to their health problems. 

Parasites are much more common in developed countries than most people realize. For example, it’s estimated that more than 12% of Americans carry Toxoplasma gondii, a microscopic parasite people might get from their cat.

The increasingly toxic environment — including from pollution — could worsen the parasite problem. Toxins can weaken the body’s defenses and alter parasite activity.

Parasites can trigger a wide range of health issues. In some cases, they may be the actual cause behind chronic issues like irritable bowel syndrome and some autoimmune diseases.

Since parasites are not commonly talked about in the mainstream health community, it’s important to understand exactly what they are, different types, and common symptoms. It’s also crucial to learn how they’re diagnosed and how to get rid of them naturally.

So what is a parasite exactly?

Parasites are pathogens that live on or inside other organisms. Their livelihood is generally at the expense of their host and can cause harm because they depend on their host for nourishment.

These critters can range in size. Some are microscopic, such as Toxoplasma gondii and Giardia. Other parasites can easily be seen by the naked eye. An adult tapeworm, for example, can reach a length of more than 49 feet (15 meters).

Common parasite symptoms

The symptoms of parasitic infections vary with specific critters. But many symptoms are vague and can happen for several reasons. So, they may be incorrectly attributed to other diseases. 

For example, many parasites infect the gut, leading to a range of digestive symptoms. But this may be misdiagnosed as having irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. In reality, parasites could be at the root of gut distress.

Some of the signs and symptoms linked with parasitic infections include:

• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Air hunger
• Allergies
• Anemia 
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Autoimmune disease
• Bed-wetting (kids)
• Bladder inflammation
• Bloating
• Chronic fatigue
• Constipation 
• Diarrhea
• Eye inflammation 
• Fever
• Flu-like symptoms
• Food sensitivities
• Gallbladder and bile duct disease
• Gassiness
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis 
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Itching around anus
• Leaky gut
• Low blood sugar
• Muscle and joint pain 
• Nausea 
• Nutritional deficiencies 
• Seizures
• Skin rashes and sores
• Teeth grinding 
• Vomiting
• Weak immunity
• Weight loss

Parasites tend to be more active at night, which can cause a spike in some symptoms when people sleep. Still, symptoms may strike at any time of day, and some are ongoing.

Also, realize that symptoms of parasite infections aren’t necessarily immediate. Some new infections may cause digestive upset within a day. But others may not produce noticeable symptoms for longer periods, like a few weeks. Some parasitic infections drag on for years.

In addition, keep in mind that parasites are like a Trojan horse. They may harbor other pathogens, such as mold spores, Lyme bacteria, and viruses, which can contribute to symptoms as well. This can make getting to the root of the problem tricky.

If parasites are so common, how do I contract them?

Parasites can be lurking anywhere, including in food, other people, pets, soil, touchable surfaces, and water.

Clients may contract parasites from contaminated or infected:

• Blood transfusions: Before donating blood, people may be asked if they’ve had certain blood-borne parasites like Babesia. But some people don’t even know they’re infected. And labs only test for certain parasites in blood donations.
• Food: Undercooked meat and seafood can be sources of parasites. Raw food, including fruits and veggies, can also be tainted with parasites. If you are uncertain how their produce was handled, you can clean it with grapefruit seed extract diluted in water. It’s effective against many microscopic parasites and other pathogens.
• Other people: If someone is infected and doesn’t wash their hands well after using the restroom, they could pass parasites to others. Also, an infected mother can transmit certain parasites to her unborn child. And, some parasites are transmitted sexually, including T. vaginalis.
• Pets: Animals can also give you parasites, especially if veterinary care is overlooked. For example, clients could get a T. gondii infection from handling contaminated kitty litter. Remember to wash your hands well after touching pets because parasite eggs can stick in their fur.
• Soil: You can pick up parasites from the soil, such as by walking barefoot outside. Ascaris, hookworm, and whipworm commonly contaminate the soil and may linger for years. Wear shoes when walking in questionable areas, including where animals poop.
• Surfaces: Toys, bedding, door handles, and other objects can be tainted with parasites, particularly tiny pinworm eggs. These eggs can also become airborne. They can linger on objects and in the air for a few weeks and people can breathe them in.
• Toilets: Pinworms can stick to toilet seats and can contaminate other objects in the restroom. If you must sit on a public toilet seat, create a barrier first. Some restrooms supply paper liners for seats, but they can also use toilet paper.
• Water: This includes water you drink — even some municipal water. You may also encounter parasites like Giardia in water handled by an infected restaurant worker with unclean hands. And you could contract parasites like Cryptosporidium if they swim in contaminated lakes, streams, and swimming pools.

So how can I combat parasites?

Live a healthy lifestyle

You should focus on eating healthy foods like grass-fed meat, nuts, seeds, plus whole fruits and vegetables. Eating these types of foods will help clients dispel the parasites and give their body what it needs to heal.

You should be avoiding sugar as much as possible because parasites love sugar because they thrive off of glucose-rich blood to function. It is important to remember that his refined carb is in unsuspecting places like condiments, flavored instant oatmeal, and nutrition bars. 

Make sure to stay hydrated with good, clean water to help avoid constipation. If you don’t take in enough fluids, toxins are more likely to get backed up in your colon.

Another part of a healthy lifestyle is regular physical activity. It is important to move your body — even in simple ways like walking — to help drain your lymphatic system. That’s another place toxins can get backed up, which can lead to symptoms like ankle swelling and puffy eyes during detox.

Do a general parasite cleanse

If you are wanting to to a general parasite cleanse, we recommend the CellCore Para Kit. This kit will give you everything you need to complete a cleanse. It is important to note that not all parasite cleanse kits are created equally and it is important to find a high quality kit to get the results that you are looking for. Information on how to purchase this kit can be found below. 

Schedule a consultation 

To determine if a parasite infection  might be the root cause of your health concern or chronic condition, and to determine the best plan of action to naturally eliminate parasites, call us today at 715-362-2300 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Bergman.