Science Based Wellness
10033 Sawgrass Dr. West, Suite 204, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Florida License #CH0006361
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What is a parasite?
A parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host organism and gets its food from or at the expense of its host.
Intestinal parasites are typically caused by protozoa (single-celled organisms that can multiply within your body) or helminths (worms and larvae that can't multiply in the human body). The most common types of protozoa in the U.S. include Giardia and Cryptosporidium and the most common helminths are pinworms, hookworms, tapeworms, and roundworms.
In many cases, intestinal parasites are transmitted through contact with infected feces usually by way of contaminated food, soil, or water. Pets and other animals can carry parasites and pass them onto people.
Risk factors for intestinal parasites include living in or visiting an area known to have parasites, poor sanitation, poor hygiene, exposure to child and institutional care centers, and having a weakened immune system.
How are parasitic diseases diagnosed?
Many kinds of lab tests are available to diagnose parasitic diseases. The kind of test(s) your health care provider will order will be based on your signs and symptoms, any other medical conditions you may have, and your travel history. Diagnosis may be difficult, so your health care provider may order more than one kind of test.
Giardiasis is the most frequently diagnosed intestinal parasitic disease in the United States and among travelers with chronic diarrhea. Signs and symptoms may vary and can last for 1 to 2 weeks or longer. In some cases, people infected with Giardia* have no symptoms.
Symptoms of intestinal parasites include:
*In children, severe giardiasis might delay physical and mental growth, slow development, and cause malnutrition.
Prevention & Control
There are simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from diseases caused by parasites.
Treatments
If you have (or think you have) intestinal parasites, you may be interested in natural remedies to help restore your health.
Here at Science Based Wellness, our "go to" is Paradex - an herbal formula designed to support the elimination of intestinal parasites. We suggest taking Paradex once or twice per year to control parasitic diseases. If you eat lots of sushi, have pets, swim, or travel frequently, you can benefit by supplementing with
Paradex!
(904) 373-0952
Florida License #CH0006361
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Science Based Wellness
10033 Sawgrass Dr. West, Suite 204, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
11363 San Jose Blvd, Suite 102, Jacksonville, FL 32223
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