A person believes that his body belongs only to himself.However, there are some parasites that will grow in them uninvited - these are worms.No one is happy with this cohabitation, so emergency measures are being taken to get rid of the uninvited guests.
Types of human worms
A helminth, or helminth, is a parasitic worm that feeds on animals and plants, eating and reproducing inside organisms.You and I are no exception.
According to statistics, one-third of the planet's inhabitants are infected with parasites.The GP said it was speculated that no adult could live a lifetime without a bug taking up residence in his body.
In everyday life, people refer to almost all parasites as worms, without considering how many species of these nasty creatures there actually are.
Of all the parasites that can exist in the human body, there are three main categories:
- Nematodes related to roundworms: pinworms, whipworms, trichinella spiralis, roundworms;
- Tapeworms or tapeworm-related flatworms (various types of tapeworms, tapeworms, and echinococcus);
- Fluke parasites, or trematodes, cause opiods, fascioliasis, schistosomiasis, paragonimiasis, and other diseases.
Causes of worms in human body
The collective name for diseases caused by worms is helminthiasis.This happens when worm larvae or eggs enter the body.
This may happen for the following reasons:
- A person does not observe basic hygiene rules: does not wash his hands after walking on the street, visiting guests or going to the toilet, and does not wash his hands before eating.
- Worms in humans are usually caused by the habit of biting nails, sucking fingers, and holding various objects in the mouth: pens, pencils.
- If you have a pet, especially one that walks on the streets, the risk of contracting worms is high.
Even with timely deworming treatment, dogs and cats can spread worm eggs brought from the street to their paws and fur.
- If you do not use hot water to prepare vegetables, fruits, berries, and greens for eating, you may become infected with worms.
- It is dangerous to drink raw water from unknown sources or use it to wash food.
- Meat and fish that are not properly processed carry a risk of infection.Widespread tapeworms survive when eating unheated beef-pork tapeworms, pork-pork tapeworms, and lightly salted raw fish.
- If you rarely clean your house, wear outdoor shoes, and avoid washing your floors, you may be getting worms in your home.
- Worms can also be spread from an infected person if you share dishes, bed linens, or stay in the same room for long periods of time.
Apparently, most of the causes of worms in humans come down to non-compliance with hygiene rules.Those who take good care of themselves, their families, and their pets may never encounter these parasites.
Treatment of Human Worms
Treatment for human worms is performed by a general practitioner if the patient is an adult or by a pediatrician if the patient is a child.
If worms appear, you should not self-medicate under any circumstances: the drugs used to treat helminthiasis are quite difficult on the body.
Often, when treating human worms, complex therapies are used, the purpose of which is not only to eliminate the parasite, but also to eliminate the consequences of its life activity.Therefore, treatment is unlikely with anthelmintics alone.In addition, treatment is often required for all family members because people in a narrow circle can easily infect one another.
In addition to medications, vitamins and enzymes can be taken to improve digestion.In order to treat worms more effectively, one must follow a diet and limit carbohydrates: sweets, flour.
If you have animals in your home, they must be dewormed twice a year, otherwise all treatment efforts will be in vain.
What tablets can be used?
Worms are a rather subtle problem, which forces many people to self-treat.Advertising constantly emphasizes that certain drugs can solve problems immediately.
However, many people fail to notice that in any advertisement it is stated that a doctor is needed before use.These are not simple words, we have said that anti-helminth drugs are very serious and can cause harm if taken uncontrolled.
The following are used to treat worms in humans:
- Anthelmintics - they destroy worms;
- Antihistamines, which can help if you are allergic to large numbers of dead parasites;
- Intestinal adsorbent that removes harmful substances and parasitic waste from the body.
- Iron supplements, vitamin B12, folic acid—they all help treat anemia.
- Hepatoprotective medicine, protect the liver.
- Probiotics.
Frequency of drug intake is determined by an infectious disease physician based on objective examination, patient complaints, and test results.
traditional healing methods
Children and adults can eat dried pumpkin seeds as a folk remedy for worms.According to doctors, they contain cucurbitacin, which destroys worms.However, you shouldn't rely on the help of pumpkin seeds to magically cure worms.
Parasites living inside the body are very dangerous.If treatment is not carried out carefully under the supervision of a doctor, complications may occur: the worms can spread throughout the body.They can penetrate the gallbladder and its ducts and enter the pancreatic duct.Parasites can cause intestinal obstruction and anemia - a drop in hemoglobin levels.
When should you see a doctor?
If you suspect you have helminthiasis, you need to make an appointment with a doctor: a general practitioner, a pediatrician or an infectious disease specialist.
Common symptoms of human worms are:
- malaise, weakness, fatigue;
- Allergies, such as rashes, coughs, asthma attacks;
- Decreased or increased appetite;
- Nausea and vomiting, not poisoning;
- stomach ache;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- Weight loss, even with good appetite;
- Sleep problems, insomnia;
- Inflamed or swollen lymph nodes;
- Fever for no apparent reason;
- Muscle and joint pain without exercise;
- Snoring or grinding teeth while sleeping;
- Presence of worms in feces;
- Itching in the anal area (usually pinworms).
There are two stages of helminthiasis: acute and chronic.The first stage lasts 2-8 weeks from the moment the parasite enters the body.During this period, a pronounced allergic reaction to the worms is most common.
After about two months, the acute phase turns into the chronic phase, where symptoms depend on the pathogen with which the person is infected and its habitat.
Preventing Human Worms
Usually, we learn the main rules for preventing human worms in childhood, but sometimes we just don't follow them:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before eating, after using the toilet and after going out.
- It is necessary to wash vegetables, fruits, herbs and after washing, pour boiling water on them.
- Meat, fish and seafood require long-term heat treatment.
- In your daily life, you only need to use high-quality, safe water.
- Every member of the family must have personal hygiene products and utensils.
- The house should be kept clean with regular wet cleaning.
- Pets should be taken regularly for preventive deworming treatments.