PARASITES - Long considered a problem associated with third world, underdeveloped countries, are now acknowledged as a persistent problem in developed countries. Ticks pass along Borrelia causing Lyme's Disease. The tick can also carry Babesia microti along with rodents and barnyard animals.
A few of the parasites are amoebae, hookworm, pinworms, flukes, heartworm, Entamoeba Histolytica, and Giardia. Sources include water supply or family pet exposure.
SYMPTOMS include bloating, gas, irritable bowel syndrome, joint and muscle pains, sleep disturbances, skin conditions, anemia, allergy, constipation, diarrhea, teeth grinding, chronic fatigue, immune dysfunction, malaise, chills, fever, myalgia, jaundice, cramps, and renal difficulties.
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STANDARD DRUG TREATMENT in the U.S. for parasites is metronidazole (Flagyl), an expensive drug required by law to bear the warning, "Carcinogenic in rodents. Avoid unnecessary use." According to the Physician's Desk Reference side- effects include convulsive seizures, numbness in the extremities, nausea and vomiting, headache, and intestinal distress. WARNING: Metronidazole should not be combined with alcohol, even the alcohol in cough syrup.
To avoid giving this toxic drug unnecessarily, testing for parasites is routinely prescribed in the U.S. before treatment is begun. But stool tests are notoriously unreliable, so parasites often go undetected and untreated.
Reliable stool tests are available from the Institute of Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, 3530 E. Indian School Road, Suite 3, Phoenix, AZ 85018; 602-955-4211. Collection kits can be ordered from Urokeep, Inc., 602-545-9236.
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