Crohn's Disease & Parasite Treatment

Crohn's disease is chronic inflammation of the digestive system. Most commonly, pain is felt in the small intestine. Physicians are unsure whether it is caused by genetic or environmental factors, but it tends to affect those in their twenties. There are online stores selling hookworms and parasites, claming that these can treat Crohn's disease.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of Crohn's disease are diarrhea, pain the stomach or intestines, fast weight loss, skin problems and stunted growth in children. Internal bleeding may occur in some cases, which can be fatal.

Parasite Treatment

• As of 2009, scientists are studying the effects of infecting sick patients with parasitic worms to see if their symptoms clear up. There was a study done in 1999 in which mice were given parasites and as a consequence were less likely to have digestive issues.

Claims

• The use of hookworms to treat illnesses was discovered around 1999 after scientists realized that few people in third world countries had allergies. Yet, almost all of them had intestinal parasites. There are a variety of online stores that sell parasites or hookworm eggs, claiming that these cure diseases, including Crohn's disease.

Controversy

• As of 2009, there is not enough scientific evidence to prove that parasite treatment is safe and effective to treat Crohn's disease. Online stores that carry hookworm eggs should be researched cautiously by those seeking treatment of Crohn's disease by using parasites.

Alternatives

• Alternatives to parasite treatment include chelation, which can remove harmful mercury from body tissues. Mercury is thought to cause or aggravate some diseases.