Parasitology – Stool Sample
Summary
According to Dr. Hermann R. Bueno of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in London, “parasites are the missing diagnosis in the genesis of many chronic health problems, including diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and endocrine system.”
Most Americans are inclined to believe that parasitic infection is a rare and exotic occurrence, limited to those who have traveled to distant, tropical lands. However, for a number of reasons, there has been an increase in the incidence of parasitic infection in this country. Reasons for this increase include the following:
Ř Contamination of the water supply
Ř Increased use of day care centers
Ř Increased travel to, and visits from residents of countries where parasitic infection is endemic
Ř Household pets
Ř Consumption of exotic and uncooked foods
Ř Antibiotic use
Ř The “sexual revolution”
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of parasitic infection vary from one individual to another. The more common signs and symptoms are: constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, arthralgias, myalgias, anemia, increased allergic reactions, skin lesions, agitation and anxiety, difficulty with sleep, decreased energy, malnutrition and decreased immune function.
Infection can occur by four different pathways
These routes include contaminated food or water, insect vectors, sexual contact, and passage through the skin and nose. Your doctor will take a thorough patient history to help assess the possibility of parasitic infection and the need for appropriate testing to confirm the suspicion.
Talk to your health care provider about having a Parasitology test today!
**Description courtesy of Doctor’s Data Inc