Dry statistics say that half the world's population carries parasitic worms. Currently, scientists have more than 200 species of them. A person lives for many years, not paying attention to symptoms and not knowing about the presence of uninvited "guests". But more often the opposite happens: an organism, weakened by the presence of parasites, becomes an easy "catch" for various types of diseases, even oncology. Some of the worms are removed with medication, but there are also others that are only removed by surgery.
Varieties of parasites and infection methods
For a successful fight you need to know the enemy by sight. What are parasites in the human body and where exactly should you look for them?
- Roundwormsare the most common group. These include pinworms, roundworms, toxocara, whipworms, scrapes. They live in the digestive system of humans. Infection occurs by eating unwashed vegetables, fruits, and greens. At the same time, you need to wash any products, even from your own garden. There is also a danger of getting helminths from eating salty fish, bacon, and poorly fried meat. Those with pets are at risk: dogs and cats. Some parasites do not multiply in animals, but the latter are their active carriers.
- Tape- porcine and bovine tapeworms, echinococci, broad tapeworms. These are the largest representatives of earthworms: the tapeworm, for example, reaches 25 m in length. They have the unique ability to nourish the entire body. In addition, they can move throughout the human body, including the brain and spinal cord. Worms of this class become infected by eating undercooked meat and fish; a sick individual can be the source of a tasty dish. Products that have passed a strict veterinary control should be purchased.
- Subcutaneous- dirofilaria, filamentous nematode, rishta. They multiply in the host's subcutaneous tissue. The most widespread parasites of this type are found in tropical countries: India, Iraq, Africa. The infection is transmitted by blood-sucking insects: mosquitoes, flies, bedbugs. Its main symptom is a small formation that, when pressed on it, moves.
- Trematodes (trematodes)- fasciola (liver trematode), schistosoma, fascilopsis. They live in the liver, the bile ducts, the pancreas, the intestines. The infection is caused by undercooked, poorly salted, or undercooked fish. Drinking unboiled water also contributes to the acquisition of parasites.
- Tissue: trypanosomes, Finns live in the brain and spinal cord, sarcosporidia in striated muscles, and microsporidia in connective tissues. This class lives in various tissues of the body. Basically, the carriers are wild and domestic birds and animals: horses, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats. Through undercooked meat, parasites reach the human body.
Symptoms of infection
It is not always realistic to easily determine that the "guests" have settled in the body. An infected person is able to ignore its presence for several years. Very often, the signs of the presence of parasites are very similar to the symptoms of certain diseases. There is a complete list of signals that the body gives in case of danger:
- anemia: an excessive amount of protozoa causes a great loss of blood, which is the cause of iron deficiency;
- nausea, abdominal pain - worms irritate and damage the walls of internal organs, as a result of which wounds, microcracks and inflammation are formed;
- alternation of constipation and diarrhea - the first symptom occurs due to the large number or excessive size of parasites in the body, which contributes to the blockage of the intestinal lumen. The appearance of diarrhea is caused by special substances secreted by protozoa that can destroy chlorides and sodium;
- Flatulence (increased gas production) and bloating are the result of inflammation in the digestive tract damaged by worms. Due to this, the absorption of fats in the small intestine does not occur, which immediately enter the large intestine;
- Bruxism (teeth grinding) is a clear sign of infection. This is how the nervous system reacts to a certain stimulus;
- skin problems: peeling, acne, boils, eczema, papillomas, warts, changes in the structure of the hair and nails, allergic manifestations. These symptoms occur due to the fact that protozoa secrete many toxins that the liver cannot cope with elimination. Consequently, they all accumulate within one person. The body tries to get rid of this dirt in any way, even by removing it through the skin;
- a strong decrease or increase in weight: "thanks to" the absorption of nutrients by worms, the human body experiences a lack of them, which leads to weight loss; weight gain occurs due to a drop in blood sugar, which increases the feeling of hunger, which the patient must constantly satisfy;
- Joint and muscle pains are due to the movement of parasites through the body and their establishment in the muscles and joint fluid. This symptom speaks of inflammation of the tissues;
- impaired immunity, leading to permanent illnesses that are difficult to diagnose. The reason for this is the human immune system's fight against worms. With this symptom, the amount of immunoglobulin decreases and the body becomes defenseless against attacks by viruses and infections;
- frequent cough, profuse sputum production, runny nose and fever due to the fact that during the migration process the worms enter the respiratory tract. Parasites in the body can provoke the development of asthma and pneumonia;
- Increased fatigue, nervousness and irritability are caused by the fact that worms consume the necessary nutrients for a person, which the body does not receive: magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron;
- when infected with pinworms, severe itching in the anus is added to the listed symptoms of the presence of parasites. This is due to the fact that female pinworms crawl out to lay their eggs at night, sometimes causing an intolerable burning sensation.
Visit a doctor
If at least 3-4 of the above symptoms are found in a person, then as soon as possible you should see a doctor and undergo treatment.
In such cases, please contact the following specialists:
- parasitologist;
- helminthologist;
- infectious disease specialist;
- pediatrician;
- therapist.
The specialist will definitely give a reference for the tests and based on their results, select the optimal therapy. Depending on the symptoms and the treatment should be appropriate. Research alone is unlikely to provide a definitive answer on the presence or absence of parasites. Tests for some types of worms are taken 7 to 8 times.
Another important nuance:if infection is confirmed, all family members receive treatment and parasites are prevented. Most protozoa spread rapidly through everyday life: through dishes, household items.
The reason for going to the doctor is as follows:
- recent return from a trip abroad, especially from African or Asian countries;
- the presence of various impurities in the stool: mucus, blood;
- sudden weight loss;
- itchy anus;
- prolonged diarrhea or constipation alternating with diarrhea;
- frequent colds or other illnesses.
There are a number of symptoms that accompany helminthiasis. Few people realize that banal fatigue can be a consequence of helminthic invasions. A baby who has become infected with parasites immediately begins to lose his appetite and does not even want to eat her favorite dishes, he wants to eat sweets. There are pains and cramps in the abdomen, nausea (especially in the morning), diarrhea. Often a child becomes moody, irritable, his sleep is disturbed, teeth gnashing can be observed in a dream (although today scientists argue whether grinding is a sign of helminthiasis), emptying the bladder, coughing (no signscold). Worms provoke in children a delay in physical and mental development, with helminthiasis, puberty occurs later, memory and thinking disorders are observed.
At risk are lovers of dry and semi-raw meat, thermally unprocessed minced meat and fresh fish. This also includes preschool and elementary age children, pet owners, veterinary clinic employees and those who, in professional or other activities, often work with the land. For example, summer residents.
To prevent infection with parasitic worms, you must follow some rules:
- wash your hands more often, especially for children and adults after contact with animals;
- kill household insects: flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches;
- wash vegetables and fruits well, preferably with warm boiled water.
Drug treatment
There is a wide range of pharmaceuticals available to combat parasites. Those who want to get a good result in fighting an internal enemy need to know who the war is going against. This is discovered only after visiting a doctor and passing tests.
Of course, there are medications that can successfully cure several types of worms at once. However, they kill not only parasites, but also the useful microflora of people. After taking them, a course of restorative therapy is carried out.
In no case should you heal yourself. All antiglutants are synthetic drugs that can have toxic effects on the liver, blood cells, and immune system. For this reason, do not use them without the need and advice of a doctor. For prevention, it is better to use folk recipes for treating worms in humans.
Folk remedies
Even if there are no parasite symptoms, prophylaxis is carried out every six months or a year. It has been known for a long time that worms do not tolerate fragrant herbs and plants - onions, garlic, tansy, wormwood. The oldest known remedy for helminths is pumpkin seeds. It is enough to buy a package of this product in any pharmacy or store, carefully peel (but not to remove the green peel) and eat.
There are many popular ways to get rid of helminths. These are the simplest:
- in spring and summer they eat several sorrel leaves on an empty stomach;
- in winter it is very good to take baths with the addition of anise infusion. This substance easily enters the body through the pores of the skin. And because it has a pungent odor, parasites cannot tolerate it;
- a remedy that absolutely everyone can afford, even pregnant and lactating women: pumpkin seeds;
- two hundred ml pour 2 tbsp. l. oak bark. Insist on a closed thermos, so that the water is better saturated with phytoncides;
- an art. l. Tansy flowers are poured with a glass of boiling water, and then they are insisted under the lid for 4 hours. After that, filter and drink 1 tablespoon. l. 4 times a day half an hour before meals;
- mix 150 ml of alcohol and 1 tbsp. l. wormwood. The mixture is infused for 2 weeks, after which 20 drops are taken 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
There is no need to be shy and let the helminth infection problem take its course. By going to a specialist when the first signs of illness appear and undergoing treatment, you can avoid many illnesses. After getting rid of parasites, the basic rules of hygiene are observed, and worms will never appear in the body again. After all, it is easier to prevent a disease than to cure it for a long and painful time.