WHAT A PARASITE IS?

Beware! Appearances are deceptive. They are minute. But, they are really dangerous. They are on the prowl everywhere. You can’t escape them. They are the parasites!

The first thing to know about the intestinal parasites is that they are parasites in the truest sense of the term. So, who do you call a parasite? In popular parlance a parasite is a person who simply lives on others wealth. But the most important derogatory characteristic ascribed to a parasite is that it does not think good of its benefactor. On the other hand, literature abounds of such parasites that leave no stone unturned to throw out the master and usurp his place. And literature is a generally an apt portrayal of the society. A parasite is basically a sycophant. In ancient Greece, a parasite was a person who was a professional guest in any dinner party. In medical term, a parasite is that life form which thrives within a different organism and does more harm than good to the host. At times, these parasites can even pose threats to the parent creature as these parasites are veritable sources of diseases. In the case of twins who are conjoined, the parasite is the incomplete twin as it takes support from the other fetus which is just about normal.

PARASITE SPECIES

Parasites can be microscopic or large enough for the naked eye to identify them. Biologically, there are 3200 parasite species divided into the four main categories, viz., Cestoda, Nematoda, Protozoa, and Trematoda. All of them feast on our digestive highway.

The Cestodes are tapeworms, the nematodes are the roundworms, and the protozoans are unicellular organisms. At times, these parasites strike our bodies simultaneously. The HIV infected people are generally hosts to the protozoans, including isospora, microsporidia, and cryptosporidium.

WHERE THEY DWELL

These common organisms can be found everywhere in our environment, in the air we breath, in the water we drink, or in the food we eat. Believe it or not, our body also plays host to as many as 100 parasites of different shapes, sizes and colors.

INTESTINAL PARASITE

An intestinal parasite grows, gets forced sustenance, and thrives within the human intestines or the entire strip known as the gastro-intestinal tract. They are microscopic in size although larger than the viruses or the bacteria. They spread from the environment to the human beings. Unhygienic locales, constant proximity with animals or food that is not cooked in the required temperature are ideal grooming places for the parasites. The two main species of intestinal parasites are protozoa and helminths. While the protozoa are unicellular and multiply within our beings, the helminths are multicellular worms and are basically harmless. Helminths do not multiply within our bodies and move out.

PARASITE CAMOUFLAGE

These parasites may be quite nondescript in appearances. But they have developed fascinating tactics to take for a ride even our body’s highly foolproof immunity network. Just like the villains of thriller movies, some of these microscopic parasites put on the facades of tissues in such a way that the sentinels in our body mistake them to be a part and parcel of the body. After that, these parasites multiply themselves slowly but silently. And, at the opportune time when the immune system grows weak owing to some other illnesses these parasites make their forays!

WHAT PARASITES CAN DO

The parasites can run riot inside your body. First and foremost, we are robbed of those ingredients that are absolutely necessary to help our digestion process. It is because of these parasites that many of us become anemic and feel lethargic after we have our meals. These parasites squeeze away our amino acids, vitamins, nutrients, and minerals. They can make holes in your intestines, lungs, liver as well as the circulatory system. They can even wear away or clog or even damage the main organs. The parasites do this by piecing together to form tumors. More often then not, such lumps are mistaken to be cancerous. These lumps flow with the blood to our lungs, heart and even the brain. The parasites even poison us via the toxic (metabolic) waste products which they release within our bodies. Once this takes effect, we suffer from the dysfunction called verminous intoxification. The people affected by this condition find problems in doing away with the metabolic wastes. Then, these toxins are again absorbed by the intestines.

KNOW THEIR ROUTES TO ELIMINATE THEM

Did you ever imagine that when you have constipation or problems in clearing the bowels you are creating the perfect grooming place for these parasites? The accumulated faeces on the colon wall give the parasites the nourishment.

Now, how do they enter our bodies in the first place? Even the water we drink and the food we consume are ideal conduit routes for these beings. And, they can enter through our skins as well as our noses. Thus, they do not necessarily need any agent for the transmission into our bodies. Their entry routes can be through sexual acts or even the mosquito or the housefly. Hence the need for hygienic and healthy lifestyle!

Nilutpal Gogoi is a writer and a freelance journalist having more than 18 years of service in several audio-visual and print media reputed organizations in North East India. He has published more than 1000 articles and a popular adventure book for children. For more information log on to

http://www.betterfitlife.com/ http://www.yourhealthiness.com/ http://www.aboutthehealthiness.com/

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Heart Health Care

Pinworms are also called seat worms, or threadworms (species Enterobius, or Oxyuris, vermicularis). They belong to the order Oxyurida (phylum Aschelminthes). Pinworms are common human intestinal parasites and are also found in other vertebrates. Male pinworms are about 2 to 5 mm (0.08 to 0.2 inches) long while the female ones range from 8 to 13 mm. Pinworms are basically small, white worms that live in the intestines. The name reminds us of the long tails of the worms which gives them a pin like appearance. Pinworm infections are quite common in young children and are easily treated.

Pinworms usually occur in the large intestine but sometimes are also found in the small intestine, the stomach, or farther up the gastrointestinal tract. After the male fertilizes the eggs, the female travels to the anus, deposits the eggs on the skin near the anal opening, and usually dies. Movement of the worm on the skin causes excessive itching. Eggs, transferred beneath the fingernails by scratching, are passed onto the mouth, from which the eggs or larvae make their way to the intestine. This life cycle usually requires about 15 to 43 days. Pinworms are quite easy to get. They usually spread from one child to another, and the eggs can be picked up by children's fingers whilst playing. Eggs can survive on a child's skin for several hours. They can easily survive for 2 weeks on clothes, bedding and toys. If the eggs are on the child's hands or toys, and he/she puts their fingers or toys in the mouth, the tiny eggs enter their bodies. The eggs continue to stay in the upper part of the intestine until they hatch. After they hatch, the worms move down the length of the intestine, and then finally out the anus where they lay eggs. An itchy bottom is a common sign of pinworm infection.

Most pinworm infections are however, mild and easily treated. Doctors may prescribe a single chewable tablet of a medicine called mebendazole. About two weeks later, a second tablet is taken. Another kind of medicine recommended by doctors is pyrantel. This is also taken in two doses about two weeks apart. Even if only one child in a family has pinworms, it is important that everyone in the household be treated with the pinworm medicine at the same time, even if they don't show any signs of pinworm infection. All the sheets, blankets, towels and clothing in the house should be washed in hot water, and everyone's fingernails (which might house the worm eggs) should be thoroughly cleaned and preferably cut short.

Worms provides detailed information on Worms, Dog Worms, Ring Worm, Tape Worms and more. Worms is affiliated with Insect Bites.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Morris

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Dogs (and cats) often fall victim to several common intestinal parasites known as worms. There are a large number of different types of intestinal worms, but dogs are most commonly affected by tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. These parasites live in the digestive tract (most commonly in the intestines) where they feed on nutrients, robbing the dog of the nutrition it takes in. Worm infestations can cause a variety of undesirable symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and a generally poor appearance.

How do Dogs Get Worms?

There are a number of ways that a dog can wind up with an infestation of any of these types of intestinal parasites. An animal infested with any of these types of worms may pass the worms’ eggs in its feces. This is a strong argument for picking up after your pet as often as possible and not allowing your dog to eat feces (something dogs will do) whenever you can. Tapeworm eggs can be spread by fleas. Fleas eat the eggs (quite a delicacy to a flea) and then pass them to a dog when biting it. Some roundworms will lie dormant in the body of a pregnant dog and activate just before it gives birth. The activated worms make their way into the intestines of the unborn puppies where they will thrive after the pups are born.

Detecting Worms in Dogs

Worm infestations can be difficult to detect. While some worms may be passed in the feces, betraying their presence, it is uncommon. If a dog is displaying symptoms that may indicate the presence of worms, a vet should be consulted. A stool sample will be examined for the presence of worm eggs (these are microscopic) and a medication called a “wormer” will be prescribed. Stool samples are often collected as part of a routine dog physical examination in order to check for the presence of worms. In the case of tapeworms, discarded tapeworm segments may be visible in the dog’s feces or attached to the fur around the anus or under the tail. To the naked eye these may look like small bits of white rice.

Treating Dogs for Worms

When a dog is found to have an infestation of worms, it should be prescribed a wormer immediately by a vet. Depending on the severity of the infestation, the type of worms, and the likelihood of re-infestation, the treatment may need to be repeated one or several times. There are over-the-counter wormers available, but most vets do not recommend them because they are necessarily weaker and may not kill all types of worms and their eggs.

Intestinal worms can cause numerous health problems for dogs, up to and including death in extreme cases. Taking measures to prevent infestation, detect it as quickly as possible, and treat it accordingly can help keep your dog safe from these harmful parasites.

About The Author

Kirsten Hawkins is a dog lover and animal expert from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.doghealth411.com/ for more information on dog health, the care of dogs, and dog travel.

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