Comprehensive Parasitology Profile

Parasites are no longer reported by strictly those who have traveled to the developing world or backcountry campers drinking from mountain lakes. These little bugs are increasingly finding happy homes in the intestinal tracts of unsuspecting North Americans due to extensive worldwide travel, immigration, day care centers, and other sources of early transmission. Unwelcome intestinal organisms are responsible for more than a little discomfort.

While some symptoms are associated with specific parasites, most symptoms can be present with almost any organism. People who have contracted a parasite may experience the following:

• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Flatulence
• Anorexia
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Chills
• Blood or mucus in the stool

Other non-gastrointestinal symptoms which can be attributed to an undetected chronic parasitic infection causing an imbalance of intestinal flora can include:

• Urticaria
• Reactive Arthritis
• Chronic Fatigue
• Asthma
• Constipation

Medical professionals are increasingly recognizing parasitic organisms, such as giardia lamblia and cryptosporidium, to be pathogenic. Pathogenicity varies according to the parasite, host susceptibility, and the microbiological environment.

A New Leaf’s Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratories Comprehensive Parasitology Profile uses advanced technology to identify a range of organisms—amoebae, flagellates, ciliates, coccidian, and microsporidia. It also provides an analysis of existing beneficial intestinal microflora. After receiving and analyzing the test results, A New Leaf’s doctors work with patients to evict any unwanted guests from the intestinal tract while replacing the “good” bacteria in the intestinal tract thereby addressing both acute and chronic conditions that result from parasitic activity.

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