How Blastocystis Hominis can affect your health?

Blastocystis Hominis

Blastocystis is a microscopic parasite that can live in the gastrointestinal tract. Researchers do not fully understand the role of the blastocyst in causing disease. Some people who experience diarrhea, abdominal pain, or other gastrointestinal problems have blastocysts in their stool.

If you have diarrhea or related symptoms, it can be difficult to diagnose the cause. If you find blastocysts in your stool, it may not cause symptoms. In most cases, the cause of the disease may be another food- or water-borne organism.

Your doctor will research your medical history, ask questions about recent activities such as travel, and perform a physical exam. Many laboratory tests help diagnose non-infectious causes of parasitosis and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms that may be associated with a blastocyst include:

• watery diarrhea
• nausea
• stomach ache
• Fullness
• excess gas
• decreased appetite
• weight loss
• itching in the anus
• weakness

Treatment

No treatment is required for blastocyst infections without signs or symptoms. Mild signs and symptoms may resolve spontaneously within a few days.

Potential medications to eliminate blastocyst infection and improve symptoms include:

• Antibiotics such as metronidazole (Flagyl) and tinidazole (Tindamax)
• Combination drugs such as sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra, etc.)
• Antiprotozoals such as paromomycin and nitazoxanide (Alinea)

Responses to these drugs vary widely. Also, improvement may be due to the effects of the drug on other organisms, as that organism may not be the cause of your symptoms.

Blastocystis hominis can be found in about 25% of the U.S. population. About half of those cases are asymptomatic, while others may have various abdominal symptoms, from mild diarrhea to symptoms mimicking inflammatory bowel disease. Read more about it on Healio.

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