Parasite infections can cause a variety of symptoms depending on the actual type of parasite. Roundworms, tapeworms and flukes are all specific types of parasites that invade the body usually through a break in the skin or the ingestion of contaminated or undercooked meats and fish. A parasite infection can lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, gastrointestinal irritation and weight loss.
Abdominal Pain
When a parasite enters the body they tend to migrate to different organs because of the proximity to nutrition. According to Carl Zimmer, author of the book "Parasite Rex: Inside the Bizarre World of Nature's Most Dangerous Creatures," when a parasite settles near the abdominal region many times it chooses to burrow through soft tissue to get to its destination causing damage that triggers pain receptors in the surrounding areas. Most parasites like tapeworms start out as tiny eggs ingested by human beings. Then they use the food they hide in to hitch a free ride down to the intestinal tract, where they use the nutrients that humans eat to grow and eventually lay eggs in the area they settle on. When these eggs hatch the pain in the abdominal region can cause mild to extreme discomfort.
Gastrointestinal Irritation
Another symptom commonly associated with parasites is gastrointestinal irritation. Many parasitic worms that live in the intestinal tract feed of the nutrients humans ingest and rely heavily on these nutrients for survival. Carl Zimmer reports that some parasites extract enzymes that help with human digestion straight out of the food we eat. Without these enzymes normal digestion can be compromised leading to gastrointestinal irritation. The Mayo Clinic, says that symptoms of a giardia infection can include abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea and watery diarrhea.
Unexplained Weight Loss
Unexplained weight loss or the inability to gain weight can be another sign of a parasite infection. Tapeworms are generally known to feed off of much of the food humans consume. According to an article on tapeworms by the Mayo Clinic, a tapeworm infection usually results from eating foods contaminated with tapeworm eggs or larvae. Tapeworms can settle outside your intestines and form cysts in body tissues and organs. This is known as an invasive tapeworm infection. If you ingest tapeworm larvae, however, they develop into adult tapeworms in the intestines. This is known as an intestinal tapeworm infection. Tapeworms can cause nutritional deficiencies because they "steal" nutrients from food and can cause loss of appetite. These two types of infections can lead to weight loss or the inability to gain weight.
References
- "Parasite Rex : Inside the Bizarre World of Nature's Most Dangerous Creatures"; Carl Zimmer; 2001
- Mayo Clinic: Giardia Infection
- Mayo Clinic: Tapeworms
