Chagas disease is a systemic parasitic infection that can affect multiple organ systems, most notably the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.
If the infection is not treated, it can progress to the chronic phase. Over several years or even decades, Chagas disease affects the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system, the digestion system and the heart. Specific medical treatments and surgery may be necessary.
The heart is the most commonly affected organ. In the acute phase of Chagas disease, cardiac involvement may be mild to severe, and is fatal in 3–5% of patients. In the latent phase, which is typically very prolonged (10–30 years), cardiac involvement is usually minimal or absent.
Gastrointestinal Chagas Disease
Colonic involvement can lead to prolonged constipation, abdominal pain, and fecaloma. Patients with megacolon have an increased risk of volvulus and consequent bowel ischemia.
Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas' disease, causes an intense inflammatory response in several tissues, including the liver.
Lungs – This infectious mosquito-borne disease can causemflu-like symptoms that cause the body to accumulate fluid in the lungs, making it hard to breathe. Kidney, Liver, and Spleen – In severe cases of malaria, it can cause damage to the liver and kidneys or cause a rupture in the spleen which can be life-threatening.
Bradyarrhythmia and Conduction System Abnormalities
Chagas disease is an important cause of bradyarrhythmias and pacemaker implantation in Latin America. Widespread fibrosis shows a predilection for the cardiac conduction system, affecting the sinus node, atrioventricular node, and bundles of His.
There are many intestinal parasites affecting humans. Common ones include roundworms, pinworms, hookworms, tapeworms and liver flukes (usually Clonorchis sinensis in Hong Kong and neighboring areas).
Digestive System of Ascaris Worms
Ascaris ingests food into its mouth and pharynx. Enzymes secreted by glands in the pharynx break down the food and nutrients to be absorbed through the intestinal wall.
However, several studies suggest that maternal chronic infection has no effect on the outcome of pregnancy or on the health of newborns as long as there is no maternal transmission of parasites to the unborn child [21–23].
People who live or lived in parts of Central America and South America are at higher risk of having Chagas disease. In the United States, Chagas disease risk is higher in southern states (where there are more kissing bugs) than in northern states.
It is estimated that as many as 8 million people in Mexico, Central America, and South America have Chagas disease, most of whom do not know they are infected. If untreated, infection is lifelong and can be life-threatening.
Chagas disease also affects the brain, particularly manifesting as cardioembolic strokes and cognitive impairments. Disease progression is influenced by various factors such as anti-parasite treatments, host–parasite interactions, and other determinants.
Malaria Parasite (Plasmodium)
Not only a killer parasite, but one of the world's biggest killers, the malaria parasite is responsible for around 600,000 deaths a year.
Consider using an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach including sealing cracks and gaps to prevent kissing bugs from entering your home. Check windows, walls, roofs, and doors. Use screens on doors and windows. Kissing bugs may hide where you and your pets sleep.
Trypanosoma cruzi infection can be transmitted sexually from males and females to naïve mates. T. cruzi parasites were detected in semen ejaculates from individuals with Chagas disease by nucleic acid techniques.
In the intestines
The larvae mature into adult worms in the small intestine. Most often, adult worms live in the intestine until they die. In mild or moderate ascariasis, worms in the intestine can cause: Vague stomach pain.
Parasitic infections such as toxoplasmosis, hydatidosis, and cysticercosis infect a large population worldwide. Toxoplasma gondii in the pancreas could damage the pancreatic cells. Hence, insulin secretion would be affected which leads to increased risk of diabetes.
The digestive system is partitioned into many regions, each with a certain function. The digestive system consists of the pharynx, the esophagus, the crop, the intestine and the gizzard. Food such as soil enters the earthworm's mouth where it is swallowed by the pharynx.
A less invasive way is to have the child's stool tested for parasites with a pathology lab. This will show what types of parasites and the best method of treating. Sometimes parasites migrate from the bowel at night into the genitourinary system and cause even more symptoms.
A parasite is an organism, or living thing, that lives on or inside another organism. It depends on the other organism for food and other things that it needs to live. The parasite's victim is called its host.
The heart is the organ most commonly affected in chronic Chagas disease4, and up to 30 percent of affected persons develop a chronic inflammatory cardiomyopathy years or even decades after the initial infection. It is possible that many cases of Chagas' cardiomyopathy are being misdiagnosed.
Foods to eat on a parasite detox diet
Certain foods are believed to support gut health and may help discourage parasite activity, including: High-fibre foods – Fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and various seeds to aid digestion. Antiparasitic herbs and spices – Garlic and oregano may provide additional support.
300,000 people More than 300,000 people in the U.S. have Chagas disease, including an estimated 18,000 people in Florida. 12,000 deaths Chagas causes an estimated 12,000 deaths globally each year.