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TREATMENT & PRACTITIONERS
CONVENTIONAL and COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENTS and THE PRACTITIONER
Enterobia eggs (Image Library CDC, Center for Disease Control And Prevention, Atlanta)
INTRODUCTION
little guide to... CHEMOTHERAPY
little guide to... HERBAL/SUPPLEMENTATION TREATMENTS
WHAT ABOUT PREVENTION?
THE PRACTITIONER
INTRODUCTION
First the bad news!
There is a lot of useless, unhelpful, and even dangerous stuff out there!
Example: IODOQUINOL (or DIODOQUIN): ... is often used to treat/kill parasites such as Blastocystis hominis, but is taken off some markets because of its severe side-effects and toxicity. Because it is still not known if Blastocystis hominis does create problems on its own, or are multiple infections caused by other microbes which seems to appear together with B. hominis?
Reading alternative medicine websites, there seem to be only the group of parasites which creates IBS-related symptoms and/or diarrhoea and they have all the ultimate methods to flush the parasites away with their liver cleanse and parasite cleanse and super-colon-cleanse...
But what about malaria? Sleeping sickness? Encephalitis? Meningitis?
Many practitioners do not make differences between bacteria, fungi and parasites and most diets and programmes you will find on the internet for parasites seem to be copied from Candida websites (and many these diets are not very helpful either).
A little guide to
CHEMOTHERAPY
ALBENDAZOLE ... is an anti-helmintic medication and is used to treat tapeworm but also other parasite infections. It causes degenerative alteration in the intestinal cells of the worm. The loss of cytoplasmic microtubules leads to an impaired uptake of glucose by the parasite and leads to degenerative changes and a decreased production of ATP. The parasite becomes immobilised and eventually dies. Side effects: allergic reaction, dizziness, headache, fever, nausea, seizures, vision problems, mental/mood changes, stomach cramps, stiff neck. This medication should not be taken during and several months before pregnancy.
AMPHOTERICIN ... is an antifungal which is experimentally used for Balamuthia mandrillaris (more about Balamuthia on next page PARASITES and RESEARCH).
AZITHROMYCIN ... … is sometimes used for granulomatous encephalitis caused by Acanthamoebia. Although usually fatal, the use of this drug has shown some promise. It is one of the world’s best selling antibiotics and derives from erythromycin and is used for pneumonia, middle ear infections and certain sexual transmitted infectious diseases. The most common side effects are diarrhoea or loose stools, nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting, each of which may occur in fewer than one in twenty persons who receive azithromycin. Rarer side effects include abnormal liver tests, allergic reactions, and nervousness.
BERENIL ... is used to fight Trypanosoma brucei parasites which causes the African sleeping sickness and has some beneficial effects in early disease stages. Reported side-effects are the lesser evil.
HEXADECYLPHOSPHOCHOLINE ... was originally developed as an anti-cancer drug. Research has shown that it might be also effective in treating infections by Acanthamoebia spp. and Leishmania spp. Again, the side effects can be severe, but untreated visceral leishmaniasis is fatal.
IODOQUINOL ... is an amoebicide antimicrobial agent. This medicine is used to treat infections caused by parasites when these are present in the gut . Side effects in long term use: Blurred vision or any change in vision, clumsiness or unsteadiness, decreased vision or eye pain, increased weakness, muscle pain, numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in hands or feet. Liver and kidney failure was reported and some countries might take the drug off the market.
ITRACONAZOLE ... is experimentally used in Balamuthia infections. It is an anti-fungal agent which is often used to treat Candida krusei, but more and more resistance has been reported. Side effects: Headache, rash, abdominal pain, disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, or vomiting, allergic reaction to active ingredient, indigestion, irregular menstrual cycle, disorder of the peripheral nerves causing weakness and numbness (peripheral neuropathy), dizziness, nausea and vomiting, hair loss (alopecia) with long term use of medication, alteration in results of liver function tests.
KETOCONAZOLE ... see Itraconazole
MEGLUMINE ANTIMONIATE ... (also: Glucantime)… is used to treat Leishmaniasis. Fever; irregular heartbeat; nausea; pain in the upper abdominal area and back; vomiting; changes in skin color of the face; chills; cough or hoarseness; decreased amount and frequency of urination; difficulty in breathing, such as fast or irregular breathing, shortness of breath, tightness in chest, and/or wheezing; fainting or loss of consciousness; husky voice; puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes; skin rash and/or itching; swelling of the face; unusual tiredness or weakness. The drug cannot be used in cases of heart diseases, allergies, depression, kidney diseases and during pregnancy.
METRONIDAZOLE(Flagyl) ... most common drug used for fungal and parasite infections. It is an antibiotic effective against anaerobic bacteria and certain parasites. Anaerobic bacteria are single–celled, living organisms that thrive in environments in which there is little oxygen (anaerobic environments) and can cause disease in the abdomen (bacterial peritonitis), liver (liver abscess), and pelvis (abscess of the ovaries and the Fallopian tubes). Giardia lamblia and amoeba are intestinal parasites that can cause abdominal pain and diarrhoea in infected individuals. Trichomonas is a vaginal parasite that causes inflammation of the vagina. Metronidazole selectively blocks some of the functions within the bacterial cells and the parasites resulting in their death. The drug is also used to treat liver abscess, the hospital super-bug Clostridium difficile, and is sometimes used together with other drugs to treat Helicobacter pylori. Metronidazole topical gel is sometimes used to treat acne rosacea.
The use of this drug can dangerous when combined with anti-viral drugs and with warfarin.
Here is an impressive list of side effects:
Mouth: A sharp, unpleasant metallic taste is not unusual. Furry tongue, glossitis and stomatitis have occurred; these may be associated with a sudden overgrowth of Candida which may occur during therapy.
Cardiovascular: Flattening of the T-wave may be seen in electrocardiographic tracings.
Central Nervous System: Convulsive seizures, peripheral neuropathy, dizziness, vertigo, incoordination, ataxia, confusion, irritability, depression, weakness, and insomnia.
Hypersensitivity: Urticaria, erythematous rash, flushing, nasal congestion, dryness of the mouth and vagina, fever.
Other: Kidney problems decrease of libido and proctitis. When consuming alcohol patients may experience abdominal distress, nausea, vomiting, flushing, or headache. A modification of the taste of alcoholic beverages has also been reported. Rare cases of pancreatitis, which generally abated on withdrawal of the drug, have been reported.
Crohn’s disease patients are known to have an increased incidence of gastrointestinal and certain extraintestinal cancers. There have been some reports in the medical literature of breast and colon cancer in Crohn’s disease patients who have been treated with metronidazole at high doses for extended periods of time. A cause and effect relationship has not been established.
NIFURTIMOX ... is used for the Chagas disease (American Trypanosomiasis)
NITAZOXANIDE ... is commonly used to treat diarrhoea caused by Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum. Vitamins, minerals and herbs can be contra-indicative!
PENTAMIDINE ... (Lomidine) is used only for the early phase of the disease, since it does not cross the blood-brain barrier. It is active against T. gambiense, but it should not be used against T. rhodesiense, since primary resistance to it has been found in some areas. It should also not be used in areas where pentamidine has been widely employed for chemoprophylaxis. As chemoprophylaxis pentamidine as an intramuscular injection of 4 mg/kg has been assumed to protect for several months. This is not recommended anymore since the dose is subcurative and may mask an underlying infection. Moreover, the prophylactic use of pentamidine has has provoked resitance in several areas. The recommended dose for treatment is 4 mg of pentamidine base per kg of body weight given intramuscularly in a total of 7 injections daily or on alternating days.
PENTOSTAM ... is injected to treat visceral leishmaniasis (kala azar), cutaneous leishmaniasis, South American mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. It may also be of value in the treatment of leishmaniasis recidivans and diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis in the New World.
PROPAMIDINE ... is an antibacterial medicine. It acts by interfering with the chemical processes inside the cell which bacteria and fungi need to survive and multiply. Propamidine is used to treat bacterial infections of the eye such as conjunctivitis. However, it has particular use in the treatment of a rare eye infection that results in painful inflammation and ulcers in the eye (acanthamoeba keratitis).
PYRIMETHAMINE ... is commonly used as an antimalaria drug for treatment and prevention. It is also used in the treatment of Toxoplasma gondii infections in immunocompromised patients. Pyrimethamine interferes with folic acid synthesis by inhibiting the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase. Folic acid is needed for DNA and RNA synthesis in many species, including protozoa.
QUINOLINES
(incl. chloroquine, primaquine, mefloquine, quinine, quinidine) ... are antimalarial drugs. The exact way that they work is unknown.
They used to treat and to prevent malaria. These drugs may cause visual disturbances such as blurred vision, misty vision, and difficulty focusing, hearing loss, nausea, allergic reactions and muscle weakness.
Contraindication: glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency, psoriasis, or liver disease.
SULFADIAZINE ... is a sulfa drug, which eliminates bacteria that cause infections, especially urinary tract infections. It is sometimes experimentally used in Balamuthia infections. It works inside the bacterial cell, where it stops the manufacture of a chemical called folic acid (folate). Folic acid is necessary for the production of genetic material (DNA)within the cell. Without the production of DNA the bacteria is not able to reproduce, and the spread of the infection is stopped (a bacteriostatic effect).
SURAMIN ... has been developed in 1916 as a spin off of the German dye industry. It is a highly charged compound and so it is believed not to cross the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, monotherapy should only be used in the early stage of the disease. It is the preferred drug for use in the infection in East Africa. The drug is administered intravenously at a dosage of 20 mg/kg. It circulates in the blood in tight association with serum albumin and low density lipoproteins and is taken up slowly by both host and parasite, probably by receptor mediated endocytosis. Suramin is deposited in the renal tubes. Therefore it should not be administered at patients with renal disease. Urine should be checked before and during treatment for proteinuria. Suramin is also used for the treatment of onchocerciasis or river blindness in West Africa and therefore it is preferred not to be used for the treetment of sleeping sickness in this region.
Head louse (Image Library CDC, Center for Disease Control And Prevention, Atlanta)
A little guide to
HERBAL/SUPPLEMENTATION TREATMENTS
ARTEMISININ ... a herbal treatment for parasitic infections and malaria that also protects against particular types of cancer
Extracted from the plant Artemesia Annua L (sweet wormwood, also known as the Chinese herbal Qinghao), Artemisinin has been used for centuries to kill parasites, particularly worms and flukes. Artemisinin has also proven itself as a safe and effective treatment for malaria in over two million patients, and now studies are showing that Artemisinin is effective against a wide variety of cancers as shown in a series of successful experiments. The most effective is leukaemia and colon cancer. Intermediate activities were also shown against melanoma, breast, ovarian, prostate, CNS and renal cancer.
BASILThis plant is known for its inhibitory effects on certain bacteria (Bacillus cereus. Basil is also cephalic and antispasmodic. Some of its active ingredients are cineol, pinene and camphor.
BLACK WALNUT... has two main active ingredients: juglone and tannins. Both improve tissue firmness and relieve irritation. Black walnut is used for ringworm and tapeworm treatment since a long time. The anti-worm constituents are in the green immature hull surrounding the nut.
CLOVEThe eugenol in clove has anaesthetic properties. Clove is known to have many helpful properties and is good against dizziness, spasms and vomiting. There is no proof that clove can actually kill intestinal parasites.
GARLICMany bacteria show sensitivities to the active ingredient Allicin. It decreases the activity of enzymes which are needed by parasites to invade body cells. Beside its antibacterial effects, garlic is known for its anti-worm properties.
GOLDENSEALThe compound berberine is known for its inhibiting effects on amoebas and goldenseal is very often (and successfully) used to treat amoebic dysentery and especially the parasite Giardia lamblia.
GRAPEFRUIT SEEDS
Grapefruit seed extract is a multipurpose (broad spectrum) compound that is currently being used in humans and animals alike to safely fight some types of internal and external infections caused from parasites. The antimicrobial activity appears to develop in the cytoplasmic membrane of the microorganisms. The active ingredients disorganize the cytoplasmic membrane so that the uptake of amino acids is prevented. At the same time there is a leakage of low molecular weight cellular contents through the cytoplasmic membrane. Studies have also shown that GSE inhibits cellular respiration.
JAPANESE HONEYSUCKLENew studies are expected in 2008/9 to show how Japanese Honeysuckle can help to treat/prevent parasites.
OREGANO The oil of Oregano can be very helpful in treating Entamoeba hartmanni, Blastocystis hominis, Endolimax nana, and Entamoeba histolytica. The most important active ingredients in Oregano are carvacrol and thymol.
SAGE
WHAT ABOUT PREVENTION?
1. HYGIENE
- Wash your hands before eating.
- Wash all fruits and vegetables before eating them.
- Wash your hands with soap and water after going to the bathroom, changing diapers, or handling pets.
- Keep your fingernails short and clean.
- Do not walk barefoot.
- Have regular parasite checkups (especially if you travel frequently).
The Practitioner
Dirk Budka, MSc., BSc, Dip. Dok., is an expert in Gastroenterology-Nutrition (incl. Bacteriology, Mycology, Parasitology) and Allergo-Dietetics. He has specialised in treating Digestive Disorders, IBS, IBD and Food-Intolerances. Also: Gynaecological Problems in relation to Nutrition, Liver Cleansing Programmes, Skin Diseases, Weight Management and Sports Nutrition. He works in several clinics all over London, lectures Allergo-Dietetics, Consumer Politics, and Sports Nutrition, and gives nutritional support in drug/alcohol abuse recovery (Core Trust, London).
His recent scientific work includes "H5N1 - Birdflu and the Gastrointestinal Portal", "Listeria monocytogenes - the bacteria that always survive", and “Blastocystis hominis”. Dirks research regarding bacterial activity and dietary amines in ready meals will be published in 2007. This project includes the analysis of Bacillus cereus and its toxins in rice. He also published the booklet "The Candida Confusion" in Autumn 2007.
He runs the IMMUNOLOGY CLINIC (incl. the Migraine-, Skin-, and Allergy Clinic at the Integrated Medicine Centre), the GASTRO-CLINIC where he treats and helps gastro-intestinal problems (incl. diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis, diverticulosis, dysbiosis, coeliac disease, IBS, mal-absorption, haemorrhoids, food-poinsoning), prescribes IRP (Intestine Regulation Programmes for digestive disorders) and is a specialist for the treatment of allergies/hyper-intolerances through elimination/exclusion/provocation-diets and/or blood tests, and the TRAVEL CLINIC where the team of practitioners gives pre-travel advice (incl. nutrition, necessary medication/herbs/supplements, vaccination and aftercare). The clinic is also specialised in treating patients who return sick/unwell from their journeys.
In the GASTRO and ALLERGY clinic Dirk also offers test for carbohydrate malabsorption, fructose intolerance, lactose intolerance/milk allergy, Sorbitol Intolerance, Galactose and Lactulose Bacterial Overgrowth and Intestinal Transit Time and a stool analysis. For further information about the tests click here
(To visit Dirk Budkas IBS website www.ibsforum.co.uk just click here to go straight to it)
Patients see Dirk also for diabetes, asthma, HRT-replacement therapy, weight gain/weight loss programmes, adrenal diseases, rheumatism & arthritis, skin diseases like acne, psoriasis, eczema, urticaria, fungal infection, migraine & anxiety, infertility, blood pressure management and mental health problems.
Dirk Budka also runs an Emotional Health Clinic:
Burn-out prevention, burn-out syndrome, sleeping disorder, anxiety disorder, mood disorder, PMT, PMS, Anger management, stress management, OCD, eating disorders, ADHD, Asperger's Syndrome, mild to moderate depression, drug addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder.
for more details regarding the tests CLICK HERE
ADRESSES:
We have a new consultation room at the Integrated Medical Centre, 121 Crawford Street, W1U 6BE (near Baker Street) , 020 7224 5111. Our laboratory is set up temporarily in South London.
We are setting up new clinics with laser treatment rooms, additional therapyrooms, laser distribution centre, special laboratories, research units and health product distribution centre at two locations:
A) ANGEL
B) PRIMROSE HILL
We will move with Dirk Budka Ltd, AIM Collaborations Ltd, MSML-Laboratories into our new premises by end of March 2010.
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