What is a Stomach Parasite?

A stomach parasite is an organism that lives in our stomach or intestines that often cause a lot of discomfort and in the most severe cases may even cause death. There are parasites that cause a manifestation of symptoms almost immediately, in which case effective treatment can be quickly administered. There are, however, other parasites that cause only minor symptoms like appetite and energy loss. These symptoms can be mistakenly attributed to other causes, which is why a lot of parasite infections remain undetected for extended periods of time.

Among the largest and most common groups of intestinal organisms are parasitic worms. Hundreds of different types of worms that range in size from the microscopic to those that are long enough to wrap around one’s arm can live inside the human body. There are several ways in which we can be infected, but the most common is through contaminated food and water. Worms can also enter your system through human and animal contact or simply by burrowing through your skin.

Nematoda is the most common stomach parasite group. It is comprised of roundworms, hookworms, heartworms, trichinosis and pinworms. Roundworms are the most common among these parasites, infecting more than a billion people worldwide. These worms can cause severe pain for the sufferer and even intestinal blockage in severe cases. The good news is that they are mostly non-life threatening.

The protozoa are another large and common group of parasites that inhabit the stomach. The most familiar parasite belonging to this group are the amoeba, which is often acquired through contaminated water. This parasite can cause diarrhea, vomiting and severe intestinal pain. Amoebic infestation can even lead to liver complications in some cases. The symptoms of this infection are very similar to so-called “traveller’s sickness”, so if you suspect the presence of amoeba in your system it is best to consult your doctor immediately.

While it can be a bit difficult to specifically diagnose or identify parasite infections based on symptoms alone, most can be easily detected via laboratory testing of stool samples. Treatment of stomach parasite infection ranges from herbal remedies to surgical parasite removal.