Most people think of parasites as something that lives in the intestines.
Sometimes that’s true.
But many parasites can leave the intestines.
Some parasites can travel through the body and settle in places such as the muscles, liver, lungs, brain, lymphatic system, blood vessels, or even the eyes.
This means the symptoms they cause are not always related to digestion.
What Is a Parasite?
A parasite is a living organism that survives by living on or inside another living organism, which is called the host.
Rather than making its own food, a parasite takes nutrients from its host to survive.
Some parasites are so small you need a microscope to see them, while others can grow to be several feet long.
Some stay in the intestines.
Others move through the body during their normal life cycle.
Where Can Parasites Hide?
Here are some examples recognized in the medical literature.
Brain, Muscles & Eyes
Toxoplasma gondii can form cysts in the brain, skeletal muscles, and the retina.
Muscles
Trichinella spiralis leaves the intestine and settles in skeletal muscle, which can cause muscle pain, weakness, and inflammation.
Liver & Lungs
Echinococcus forms fluid-filled cysts that usually develop in the liver and lungs, but sometimes they can also appear in the brain.
Blood Vessels
Schistosoma lives in blood vessels. Its eggs can get stuck in the liver, bladder, intestines, and sometimes even the nervous system.
Lymphatic System
Wuchereria bancrofti lives in the lymphatic system and can block normal lymph drainage.
Skin, Lungs & Other Organs
Strongyloides stercoralis enters the body through the skin, moves through the lungs, returns to the intestines, and in some people, can spread to several organs.
Common Symptoms
Parasites do not always cause clear digestive symptoms.
Some possible symptoms include:
- Bloating
- Gas
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Abdominal cramping
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Muscle aches
- Skin rashes or itching
- Food cravings
- Headaches
- Teeth grinding while sleeping
- Poor sleep
- Unexplained nutrient deficiencies
- Chronic digestive problems
None of these symptoms mean you definitely have parasites, but they can be signs that more testing might be helpful.
How Are People Exposed?
People are exposed to parasites more often than they might think.
Common sources include:
- Undercooked meat
- Sushi or raw seafood
- Fresh fruits and vegetables that aren’t washed well
- Drinking contaminated water
- Traveling
- Pets and farm animals
- Walking barefoot on contaminated soil
- Contact with animal or human waste
Can Blood Work Detect Parasites?
A common misconception is that regular blood tests will show if you have parasites.
Usually, it won’t.
A standard CBC might show higher eosinophils with some parasites, but many infections have normal blood test results. This means blood work alone may not explain your symptoms.
Doctors may also use:
- Stool testing
- PCR testing
- Blood antibody testing
- Blood smears for specific parasites
- CT or MRI scans
- Ultrasound
- Tissue biopsy
No single test can find every parasite. Even stool tests can miss infections because parasites do not always shed or may spend much of their life outside the intestines. Taking stool samples on different days can help improve the chances of finding them if symptoms continue. That is why I use energy testing; it has worked on countless patients, not just in my practice but with all of my colleagues as well.
Parasites Are Only One Piece of the Puzzle
In my practice, I do not assume parasites are the cause of every health problem.
Sometimes they’re involved.
Sometimes they aren’t.
Other hidden burdens can produce very similar symptoms, including:
- Mold exposure
- Mycotoxins
- Heavy metals
- Environmental chemicals
- Lyme disease and other chronic infections
- Hormone imbalances
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Gut dysfunction
- Chronic inflammation
The goal is not to blame every symptom on parasites. Instead, it is to identify the main obstacles that keep your body from functioning as God designed it, so you can address them in the right order.
The goal is to identify the biggest obstacles preventing your body from functioning the way God designed it.
When these hidden problems are removed in the right order, the body often starts to heal.
Healing doesn’t fail.
Interference does.
To your health, God bless
Dr. Jack
