Dr Mahajan, a nutrition dietitian and child care expert with a Master’s degree in Food Nutrition and Dietetics, is also a homeopathic pharmacist and trained yoga teacher. She has been nominated for the Padma Bhushan National Award and has received recognition from the Punjab and Himachal Pradesh governments.
She explained that symptoms such as persistent fatigue despite adequate food intake, irregular bowel movements, alternating constipation and diarrhea, and unexplained weight loss should not be ignored. Many individuals mistakenly self-medicate, especially if they consume non-vegetarian food, assuming parasitic infection without medical confirmation.
“Instead of taking medicines blindly, it is crucial to undergo a stool test to identify the actual cause,” she emphasized.
Dr Mahajan warned that in individuals over 50, symptoms like changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, or anemia could also indicate serious conditions such as Colon Cancer, which require immediate medical attention.
She further highlighted other common conditions that may mimic parasitic infections:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A common digestive disorder causing symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, and abdominal pain. It is often linked to stress or hormonal changes rather than infections.
- Food Intolerance: Conditions such as Celiac Disease or lactose intolerance can develop in adulthood, leading to fatigue, weight loss, and digestive disturbances similar to parasitic infections.
- Microscopic Colitis: More common in women over 50, this condition involves inflammation of the colon that is only visible under a microscope and typically causes chronic watery diarrhea, often mistaken for infections like Giardia.
Dr Mahajan concluded that early diagnosis through proper medical testing is essential to avoid complications and ensure appropriate treatment, especially in older adults experiencing persistent digestive problems.
