Toxoplasmosis – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com
Thursday, July 12, 2018 by Michelle Simmons
http://www.naturalpedia.com/toxoplasmosis-causes-side-effects-and-treatments-at-naturalpedia-com.html
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can be found in cat feces and undercooked meat, especially venison, lamb, and pork. It can be spread through contaminated water. Infection can also occur when an individual:
- uses utensils or cutting boards that had contact with contaminated raw meat
- drinks contaminated water
- received an infected organ transplant or blood transfusion
In the U.S., more than 60 million people are infected with the parasite, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The risk for infections is greatest in people with weakened immune systems and babies born to mothers with active infection during their pregnancy. The infection can be fatal or cause serious birth defects for a fetus if the mother becomes infected. For this reason, pregnant women should avoid scooping or cleaning cat litter boxes.
Known symptoms of toxoplasmosis
In most cases, toxoplasmosis does not cause any symptoms. If they do occur, symptoms include swollen lymph glands, especially around the neck, muscle aches and pains, headache, fever, a general unwell feeling, inflammation of the lungs, inflammation of the heart muscle, and inflammation of the eye. In unborn babies, toxoplasmosis can cause eye problems, hardening of the brain tissue, liver damage, mental retardation, nervous system damage, skin rashes, and in rare cases, fetal death.
Body systems harmed by toxoplasmosis
The body systems harmed by toxoplasmosis include the immune and lymphatic systems.
List of foods or nutrients that prevent toxoplasmosis
There are foods that can help prevent and treat the infection. These include turmeric, coconut oil, papaya, aloe vera, oregano, pineapple, goldenseal, black walnut, and pomegranate. There are also foods that prevent infections in general. These include poultry, yogurt, cauliflower, kale, and garlic.
Treatments, management plans for toxoplasmosis
Most healthy people do not need to receive treatment for toxoplasmosis. This is because no signs occur or a full recovery is made without complications. However, those with symptoms and with weakened immune systems may need treatments. Natural treatments for toxoplasmosis include the following:
- Black walnuts – Black walnuts are considered as an effective treatment for toxoplasmosis as it contains natural tannins that fight fungus, yeast, and parasites. These also contain hydrojuglone chemical, which has an anti-parasitic effect.
- Garlic – Garlic contains antimicrobial, antibiotic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, and anti-parasitic properties.
- Nutmeg essential oil – Research has found that nutmeg essential oil contains anti-Toxoplasma gondii properties.
- Oregano oil – This essential oil contains carvacrol, which contains antitumor, antimicrobial, antibacterial, insecticidal, and anti-parasitic properties. The oil also contains thymol which can treat parasites.
Toxoplasmosis can be prevented by washing hands before handling food; thoroughly washing all fruits and vegetables before eating them; thoroughly cooking raw meat and ready-to-eat chilled meals; wearing gloves and thoroughly washing hands after handling soil and gardening; avoiding cat droppings in cat litter or in soil.
Where to learn more
- Cat parasite makes people psychotic
- Parasite Found in Cat Feces Linked to Bouts of Human Rage
- Consumption of rare steak may be infecting Americans’ minds with a parasitic bug that causes anger and rage
- Common parasite linked to increased risk of suicide and self-harm
- Common parasite causes defects in newborns
Summary
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii.
Toxoplasmosis causes swollen lymph glands, especially around the neck, muscle aches and pains, headache, fever, a generally unwell feeling, inflammation of the lungs, inflammation of the heart muscle, and inflammation of the eye.
In unborn babies, toxoplasmosis can cause eye problems, hardening of the brain tissue, liver damage, mental retardation, nervous system damage, skin rashes, and in rare cases, fetal death.
Foods that can help prevent toxoplasmosis include turmeric, coconut oil, papaya, aloe vera, oregano, pineapple, goldenseal, black walnut, and pomegranate.
Toxoplasmosis can be treated with black walnuts, garlic, nutmeg essential oil, and oregano oil.
Sources include:
Tagged Under: Tags: toxoplasmosis
