Digestive Health Test 3 Traveler’s Tummy – Comprehensive Parasitology
Levels of good and bad bacteria yeasts such as candida and parasites are all assessed with this one easy test.
At one time you would only need to consider this test if you had traveled abroad but as the increase in worldwide travel to third world countries or the occasional camping trips along with more eating out, poor hygiene and other sources of easy contamination have all contributed to the spread and incidence of parasitic infections and infections resulting from bad bacteria anyone can now benefit from this test.
Sensitivity panels comprising commonly used pharmaceutical and natural antimicrobials are tested against bacterial/ yeast cultures to help identify the most efficient treatment.
Symptoms of Infection
The most common symptoms of parasite infection are diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Other symptoms may include flatulence, anorexia, weight loss, fevers, chills, blood or mucus in the stool, and fatigue.
Blastocytis hominis is the most frequently observed fecal parasite. Its level of pathogenicity continues to be controversial. Pathogenicity, in general, appears to vary depending on the parasite itself, host susceptibility, and the microbiological environment in which the parasite lives.
Systemic Complaints
We generally think of parasite infection as causing acute gastrointestinal symptoms. An increasing number of parasite cases feature systemic complaints not traditionally associated with parasites, such as:
Urticaria
Reactive arthritis
Chronic fatigue, asthma and constipation in individuals who are immunocompromised or whose intestinal flora is chronically imbalanced.
Various organisms are increasingly recognized for their potential pathogenicity.
For example:
Giardia lamblia is the leading cause of intestinal parasitic infection in the United States. Only a few decades ago it was not considered pathogenic.
Cryptosporidium, a well-known pathogen in animals, was only recently identified as a human pathogen.
Diagnosing Parasitic Infections
The diagnosis of parasitic infections depends on the laboratory, with detection rates dramatically increasing with more sophisticated procedures. The Comprehensive Parasitology Profile uses the most technologically advanced procedures to accurately identify a wide range of protozoal parasites, including amoebae, flagellates, ciliates, coccidia and microsporidia.
What is being tested and measured
- Beneficial bacteria – Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium
- Inbalanced bad bacteria – e.g. campylobacter, shiga-like toxin, E.coli
- Yeasts
- Parasites
- Eggs
- Antimicrobial sensitivities – prescriptive and natural agents
Specimen Requirements
4 stool samples taken from 3 bowel movements over 3 days
Before Taking this Test
- If taking antibiotics or antifungals wait at least 3 days after completing the course before beginning the test.
- Discontinue use of the following for 4 days before starting the test
- Barium enemas, bentonite clay, castor oil, mineral oil, betaine Hcl, rectal suppositories, vitamin C supplements,
- Discontinue beneficial bacteria supplements also known as probiotics e.g. lactobacillus etc and digestive enzymes for 2 weeks before doing the test.
- Discontinue use of aspirin, NSAID’s steroids 2 days prior to the test.
- Do not stop taking any prescription medication without your doctors supervision
Please sees the instruction sheet for further guidelines.
Turn Around Time 18 Days
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