Many people dismiss parasites as something that could never happen to them – but one out of three Americans could be infected with a parasite right now. Though parasites are more common among those who love exotic food or those who travel to other countries, parasites can be contracted almost anywhere. Often you might not know you have a parasite, as the immune system can often clear the problem before you see any symptoms of parasite . However, sometimes the immune system can’t keep up, and that’s when you can suffer the intense symptoms of parasites.

Symptoms of Parasite in Your Body

How do you know if you have parasites? Symptoms are the often the first and sometimes only sign. Intestinal parasites can cause a whole list of problems in the body. These symptoms might be anywhere from very mild to very severe. Here are the serious parasite symptoms to look for:

• You might have diarrhea or loose stool, lasting for a few days to a few weeks.
• You might suddenly lose weight – if you lose at least ten pounds over two months without dieting, that’s a warning sign.
• You are exhausted for long periods of time, and it doesn’t resolve with sleep.
• You might feel abdominal pain and cramping.
• You might suffer from itching around the anus. If there is no rash, that’s an even more sure sign that you might have parasites.
• You might have gas or bloating, or even nausea and vomiting.
• You might notice that your stool looks different. Some people might even notice a worm, alive or dead, in the stool.

The type of problem you have might depend upon the parasites. Symptoms of tapeworms, for example, include feeling dizzy, incoherent thinking, hunger pains, poor digestion, low or high blood sugar levels, sudden allergies, and an overall toxic feeling.

Keep in mind that parasites are not limited to only certain countries or certain foods. In fact, roundworms are very common, and might affect a full 25% of the world’s population – that’s one in every four people. Roundworms include various species, such as hookworms, whipworms, trichinae and pinworms. They aren’t small, either – some roundworms can grow to the size of pencils.

How Do You Get a Parasite?

Unfortunately, it can be very easy to contract a parasite. Contaminated food and water is the main culprit. Other ways include eating undercooked or raw foods – something that many people do on a regular basis when they eat rare meats or sushi. Fruits and vegetables can also be home to parasites, so it’s important to always wash them thoroughly before eating.

How to Diagnose a Parasite

It can be relatively easy for your doctor to diagnose parasites. Symptoms can lead a doctor to suspect parasites, and then tests ensue. These include a fecal sample test, where a doctor will examine samples of your stool for evidence of parasites. The “scotch tape” test also works well – the doctor will press a piece of tape to the area around the anus several times, then look for parasite eggs under a microscope. More serious situations might require x-rays and other methods to find parasites in the gut, but this diagnostic test is rare.

How to Treat Parasites

1.    Home remedies

Sometimes natural remedies will work very well to rid the body of parasites. When you notice parasite symptoms, try these options:

• Garlic

Garlic oil and garlic extract have been proven to fight parasites by inhibiting their function. Two fresh cloves of garlic per day might be enough to stop the parasites from making a home in your body. It is especially good to try this if you are traveling to a country that is known for parasite infestations.

• Black walnut extract

This has been shown to make the body inhospitable to parasites, as well as soothe the symptoms of parasites, such as diarrhea and vomiting. Try taking 1000 mg of black walnut extract three times a day, washing it down with plenty of water. But keep in mind that there are some issues with this – those who are pregnant or nursing should not take it, and those who have other medical conditions should use only when under the advice of a physician.

• Wormwood tea

This tasty tea has been shown to kill or paralyze parasites, and so can be used to help ward them off. A cup of this tea three times a day for no more than ten days should be enough. However, remember that wormwood tea is related to absinthe, and so should be used sparingly – and only if labeled “thujone-free.” As with black walnut, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and those with certain medical conditions should not take wormwood tea.

2.    Medications

If none of the natural remedies work to remedy your parasite symptoms, you might have to speak to the doctor about medications that can help. These pharmaceutical drugs are very toxic; they are trying to kill a living thing inside your body, and so they must be very strong. You can expect to see some side effects when taking medication for parasites, including swelling of the hands, feet and lymph nodes, as well as diarrhea. Less common problems include vision issues, lack of coordination or convulsions. Always take the medication exactly as prescribed, and if you are feeling side effects, alert your doctor to the issue.