WHAT’S BUGGING YOU? Part 3/7 - The Ramifications of Bugs

Chewin' The Fat
Written By Marie Stumphauzer, FNTP

You no doubt saw in Part 2 - All About the Bugs what parasites are, how we contract them, and how to know if we have them. But what are the consequences of having an overgrowth? Do parasites have a bearing on our health and, if so, what does that look like? Well, you’re in luck as those questions, and more, are addressed in this installment…read on!

HOW DO PARASITES AFFECT US?

When there is an infiltration of parasites, they can cause an assortment of undesirable side-effects and can even develop into a chronic condition or disease.  This can happen merely by their presence – being a foreign entity and regardless of the extent, by their sheer volume, through their life cycle (laying eggs, hatching worms, die-off), by causing infection, as well as them depriving us of vital nutrients as they steal from us to survive (the very definition of a parasite). Add to this a less than noble diet or poor lifestyle choices and you have a veritable domino effect. Take away these antagonists however, and health can improve dramatically.

A few notable ways parasites can negatively impact health include:

Symptoms and conditions which may have a direct correlation to a parasite infestation include but are not limited to:

  • Abdominal pain/cramps

  • Acid reflux

  • Acidosis

  • Acne

  • ADD ADHD

  • Affective Disorders

  • Alcoholism

  • Allergies, Asthma and related presentations (runny nose, dry cough, red eyes, dermatitis, difficulty breathing, etc.)

  • Autoimmune

  • ALS

  • Alzheimers, Dementia

  • Anemia

  • Anxiety/Anxiousness

  • Arthritis & Rheumatological

  • Athlete’s foot

  • Autism

  • Autoimmune Disorders

  • Back pain

  • Bacterial overgrowth

  • Bad Breath - Halitosis

  • Behavioral Issues

  • Biofilms

  • Bladder, Urinary Tract, Interstitial Cystitis, Chronic UTIs, Urgency/frequency (especially at night), incontinence

  • Bloating/gas/bubbly gut - especially after eating

  • Bloody, leaky, mucousy, and or odorous stools

  • Blood pressure

  • Body odor

  • Bradycardia and/or Arrhythmia 

  • C-19, Colds, Flus, Respiratory Infections, Viruses

  • Cancer, Leukemia/Lymphoma

  • Cardiovascular, Heart disease

  • Central Nervous System (CNS) and Nervous System

  • Chest pain

  • Cholesterol

  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

  • Chronic infections

  • Clostridium Difficile

  • Cramping (abdominal, intestinal, e.g.)

  • Cysticercosis

  • Cysts

  • Dermatological including: acne, eczema, rosacea, hives, itching, rashes

  • Diabetes

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Dizziness

  • Dry cough

  • Duodinal Infections

  • Ear, Nose, Throat

  • Echinococcus granulosus

  • Endocrine System disruption: Immune, Immuno-Neuri, Thyroid, HPA Axis, Pituitary, Pineal

  • Epilepsy, Seizures

  • Epstein-Barr Virus

  • Esophagitis 

  • Fatigue, lethargy

  • Fever

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Foot & Mouth 

  • Fungus/Yeast (internal and external)

  • Gastrointestinal - GERD, problems with appetite and weight issues, colitis, IBS/IBD, Chron's, stinging/burning in intestines, waking up in the middle of the night for a bowel movement, and digestive complaints including diarrhea, constipation, distended belly, diverticulitis, flatulence, ulcers

  • Gout

  • Hair loss

  • Headaches or Migraines

  • Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori)

  • Hematologic ailments

  • Hemorrhoids

  • Hepatitis

  • Hernias

  • Herpes

  • High blood pressure

  • HIV

  • HPV

  • Hydrocephalus

  • Immune System, infections

  • Inflammation

  • Insatiable appetite

  • Itching - anal, vaginal, general (see dermatological)

  • Joint pain

  • Lactic Acidosis

  • Liver ailments

  • Lou Gherig's

  • Lupus Lyme

  • Lyme Disease

  • Malabsorption or Maldigestion

  • Malaria

  • Melatonin

  • Meningitis

  • Mental Health such as Anger, Bi-polar, Anxiousness/Anxiety, Depression, Moodiness/Mood Swings, Suicide, Nervousness

  • Metabolic - Obesity/Underweight

  • MRSA

  • Multiple Sclerosis

  • Muscle cramps

  • Nail Fungus

  • Neurological

  • Numbness in hands or feet

  • OCD

  • Optical

  • Oral Health including teeth grinding, gum disease

  • Osteomyelitis

  • Pancreatitis

  • Parkinson's

  • Pelvic pain

  • Prostate

  • Pulmonary

  • Renal/Kidney

  • Reproductive Health

  • Restless leg syndrome

  • Rheumatological

  • Sepsis

  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

  • Sleep difficulties, night sweats

  • Spike Proteins

  • Travelers diarrhea

  • Tuberculosis

  • Tumors

  • Unexplained weight loss or gain

  • Uric Acid

  • Vitamin deficiencies – even if taking supplements

  • Vitiligo

  • Women's Health concerns including endometriosis, fibroids

  • Zika

This may seem like a lot and even far reaching, but once you research, you’ll see for yourself - in many cases - it’s just the tip of the iceberg and shockingly accurate. For a comprehensive (though not exhaustive) list of ailments associated with parasites that include links to studies as well a few tips to learn how to explore this topic on your own, see Part 7 What’s Bugging You? Bonus Material: Important Questions & References.


HERXHEIMER REACTION

Parasite life-cycles can cause something called a Herxheimer reaction where toxins are expelled by the critters and can lead to die-off symptoms that are akin to a cold, the flu, and a number of other responses (many of which are noted throughout this series). For a deeper understanding and measures to mitigate this natural response, please read “What’s Bugging You? Part 6 - What to Expect”.


ARE ALL PARASITES BAD?

There are arguably fascinating discussions and somewhat compelling arguments (not to mention disturbing quests) entertaining the notion that certain parasites are thought to be beneficial to things such as the gut microbiota. There are even clinical trials that seek to consider them as a form of therapy. Despite this, I am reticent about intentionally infecting oneself. In fact, I’d advise against it. Until there is substantial, irrefutable evidence (both anecdotal and scientific), I am not in favor of wittingly introducing parasites into the body. That being said, as touched on in Part 1, we don’t live in a sterile world and our bodies will always have a presence of good and bad “bugs”. It’s all about having the proper balance.

NOW WHAT?

I can imagine, at this point, your head might be spinning a bit as the connection between parasites and a plethora of symptoms and conditions has been delineated. Not to worry, I won’t leave you hanging. Read “What’s Bugging You? Part 4 - Anti-Parasitics and Our Health” followed by “What’s Bugging You? Part 5 - The Action Plan” to learn just what to do.

In addition to the above outlined issues and to see related studies and reports along with a growing list of illnesses associated with parasites OR that which are treatable with anti-parasitics (regardless of the presence of parasites), see Part 7 What’s Bugging You? Bonus Material: Important Questions & References.


Creepin’ it real,
Marie Stumphauzer, FNTP

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Marie Stumphauzer, FNTP
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WHAT’S BUGGING YOU? Part 4/7 - Anti-parasitics and Our Health
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WHAT’S BUGGING YOU? Part 2/7 - All About the Bugs