Gut Parasites
Many patients with Lyme disease, stealth infections, and co-infections report a plethora of symptoms and many of these symptoms are gut related. Upon comprehensive stool analysis testing, I have found a number of patients to have intestinal parasites such as Blastocystis hominis, together with gut dysbiosis (an imbalance of healthy gut bacteria and toxic bacteria). Parasites may be opportunistic infections or may be part of the jigsaw puzzle of the susceptibility of Lyme disease.
Gastrointestinal parasites commonly present:
Blastocystis hominis
Dientamoeba fragilis
Other parasites detected: Giardia lamblia, Entomoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium
Symptoms
Symptoms can be asymptomatic or can be a diverse list overlapping many Lyme symptoms:
Gut
Abdominal discomfort, bloating, constipation, diarrhea (less common in chronic conditions), loose stools, flatulence, gurgling in the abdomen, mucus or blood in stools, rectal itching & general gut pain.
Physical
Fatigue, aches and pains, skin rashes, fevers
Psychological
Depression, anxiety, brain fog, memory loss, ADD, ADHD
Chronic Parasitic infections may be associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut), irregular bowel movements, gastritis, skin disorders, poor mental health, brain fog, joint pain, allergies and compromised immune function.
Testing services
PCR Parasite Profile & Microscopic Triple Feces Test, together with Comprehensive stool analysis tests are available with consultations.
Treatment of parasites
Unfortunately there is no guaranteed quick fix treatment for parasites, however together with the right combination of medicines, correct nutritional diet and clinical naturopathy, patients have eradicated parasites successfully. This has been shown by numerous follow-up negative test results and patients positive symptom recovery.
© Amina Eastham-Hillier 2017