Darren Tremaine
Darren Tremaine
Do Parasites Cause IBS?
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common chronic gastrointestinal disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite extensive research, the exact cause of IBS remains unknown, and the symptoms can be difficult to manage in those with the diagnosis. One potential cause of IBS that has gained attention in recent years is parasitic infections, specifically Blastocystis and Dientamoeba. In this article, we will explore the link between parasites and IBS, as well as how to diagnose and treat them.
My Thoughts on IBS
Although a generally recognised disorder, IBS isn’t a great diagnosis in my professional opinion. I see many people misdiagnosed with IBS on a daily basis. Many of these people actually have issues with one of the following: a simple lactose intolerance, coeliac disease, small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), some other pathogenic bacterial overgrowth, dysbiosis, or very commonly, a parasitic infection.
IBS, being a syndrome, is just a bunch of symptoms commonly found in many individuals. People with these symptoms are often given the IBS diagnosis once other more sinister diagnoses are ruled out such as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and cancers.
In my opinion, if you dig deep enough, you will find the underlying cause of your IBS. You just need to know where to look.
The Link between Parasites and IBS
The relationship between parasitic infections and IBS is complex and not yet fully understood. Parasites likely do not contribute to 100% of IBS cases, however I have seen many within a clinical setting.
One theory is that the presence of these parasites in the gut may disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome, leading to inflammation and other changes that can trigger IBS type symptoms. Additionally, some researchers have suggested that the toxins produced by these parasites may contribute to the development of symptoms in IBS cases.
Some studies have suggested that certain parasites may be involved in the development of IBS symptoms in some patients, while others have not found a significant link. However, we do know parasites can cause stool issues, bloating, and abdominal pain, so it’s extremely likely that unless parasitic infection has been ruled out of your IBS diagnosis, that they may very well be a cause or contributor of your troubling gut issues.
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Do Blastocystis and Dientamoeba Cause IBS?
Blastocystis hominis and Dientamoeba fragilis are two types of single-celled parasites that can infect the human digestive system. These little guys, although tiny, can cause some serious damage in some individuals!
Blastocystis is a protozoan parasite, while Dientamoeba is a flagellate parasite. Both parasites are transmitted through the fecal-oral route, meaning that they are typically spread through contaminated food or water. But they’re incredibly common to come across in certain regions.
While many people who are infected with these parasites may not experience any symptoms, others may develop gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea. In some cases, these symptoms may persist for weeks or even months and years, leading to a diagnosis of IBS.
In my opinion, if you have gut issues and you test positive for a parasite, it is worth treating because it could very well be the cause of your gut issues.
Diagnosing and Treating Parasitic Infections
To diagnose parasitic infections, your naturopath, doctor, or health physician may order stool tests or other diagnostic tests to detect the presence of the parasites.
At this moment in time PCR is the most accurate form of testing the stool for parasites due to parasites not always shedding during the day of your stool sample. However the PCR testing is incredibly sensitive and very accurate.
If you are diagnosed with a parasitic infection, your doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics or other medications to eliminate the parasites from your system. You naturopath may recommend herbal treatments along with probiotics which have been proven effective against parasitic infections. In some cases, dietary changes may also be recommended to help alleviate symptoms and support the healing process.
Summary
While the link between parasitic infections and IBS is still being explored, it is clear that these infections can cause significant gastrointestinal symptoms in some individuals and lead to a diagnosis of IBS. Parasites definitely arent the sole cause of IBS but they are likely the cause of a percentage of individuals given the IBS diagnosis.
If you are experiencing persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, or been given a diagnosis of IBS, please mention parasitic testing to rule out if no other answers have been given to you, it may just be important!
If you would like to rule in or out if parasites caused your IBS, or investigate further to find the root cause of your gut issues, book in for a one on one appointment with our specialised gut naturopath.
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