Common Symptoms of Intestinal Parasites

It is claimed that most parasitic infections are asymptomatic, but that is not true. From the first day of being infected, it is placing stress on the body and activating the immune system.  The parasite is also depleting the nutrients in various ways: by consuming your food, by physically interfering – as is the case for helminths (i.e., worms and flukes) – with proper digestion, which disrupts nutrient assimilation, and by the metabolic waste being released by the parasites which further increases the body's need for more nutrients to address the extra toxic burden.

The health issues increase over time due various factors including the aforementioned nutrient depletion and excess burden on the body by the release of the parasites’ metabolic waste combined with the increase in size and/or the number of parasites and any obstructions that may occur in the intestines or the organs, such as the gallbladder.
 
Not all symptoms may be experienced, as the symptoms depend on many factors: type(s) of parasite(s) one is infected, overall parasite load, health of individual prior to infection, length of time of infection, diet and lifestyle of individual, age of individual, etc.  Also some symptoms come and go (i.e., occur intermittently).  Some days can be better than others, but damage to the body continues to get worse over time.  

Digestive Issues (Complaints):

• Abdominal or Stomach Pain / Abdominal Swelling and/or Pressure
• Bloating / Bowel Upsets / Churning Stomach / Upset Stomach
• Heartburn / GERD
• Diarrhea / Constipation
• Foul Smelling Stools & Foul Smelling Flatulence / Gas
• Mucus in Stool
• Incomplete Digestion Resulting in Undigested Food in Toilet
• Floating Stools and/or Oils in Toilet Due To Poor Fat Digestion
• Nausea / Vomiting
• Excessive Hunger / Food Cravings / Lack of Satiety
• Food Allergies
• Food Sensitivities or Intolerances (especially to Gluten and/or Dairy)
• Increase in Seasonal Allergies

Nutritional Deficiencies:

• Anemia (from Iron and/or B12)
• Nutritional Deficiencies
• Malnutrition
• Neuropathy / Numbness & Tingling in Extremities (common symptom of a Vitamin B12 deficiency)

     NOTE: Fish tapeworms are known to cause Vitamin B12 deficiency.
     Intestinal flukes cause iron deficiency.
Mood Disorders:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Irritability
• Schizophrenia (linked to Toxoplasma gondii)¹
• Bipolar Disorder¹
• Anger Issues / Aggressive Behavior¹

Pain:

• Headaches / Migraines
• Joint Pain (Wrists, Elbows, Knees, Hands, Feet, etc.)
• Muscle Aches And Pains
• Back Pain / Neck Pain

Skin Issues:

• Acne
• Dermatitis
• Eczema
• Rashes (including itchy, red, inflamed, painful, tender, blistering and/or weeping sores; dry, scaly, itchy patches on any part of the body)

Sleep Issues:

• Insomnia 
• Sudden Waking (Especially Within First Two Hours of Going to Bed)

Energy Issues:

• Fatigue
• Lack of Energy / Low Energy
• Lethargy
• Weakness

Immune Function Issues:

• Poor Immune Function
• Weakened Immune System
• Having Flu-like Symptoms
• Getting sick more frequently

Other:

• Bad Breath / Unpleasant Taste in the Mouth
• Brain Fog / Poor Attention / Lack of Concentration / Restlessness
• Dizziness / Lightheadedness / Fainting
• Poor Blood Sugar Control
• Teeth Grinding 
• Itching Around Anus (Typically from Pinworms)
• Cough² (Typically from Ascariasis or Hookworms)
• Shortness of Breath² (Typically from Ascariasis)

NOTE: There are parasites that live in the blood, various organs, the brain, the spinal column, etc. and will cause additional symptoms not listed here. 

Future posts will discuss:
- Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
- How parasitic infections are linked to various diseases, especially auto-immune diseases.

Thanks for reading!  With love to all!

Sources:
¹Del Grande, C., Galli, L., Schiavi, E., Dell’Osso, L., & Bruschi, F. (2017). Is Toxoplasma gondii a Trigger of Bipolar Disorder? Pathogens, 6(1), 3. http://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens6010003
²University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Roundworms:
http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/roundworms
 
References:
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/diphyllobothrium/faqs.html

Mayo Clinic
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tapeworm/basics/definition/con-20025898?p=1

NHS (National Health Service)
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Tapeworm-infections/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

Medical News Today
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170461.php

WebMD
http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tapeworms-in-humans#1

Medline Plus
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001375.htm

WHO (World Health Organization)
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs376/en/