If this disease has caught up with you, see your doctor and read this article.
Worms are called parasitic worms that live in other animals and plants, feed and reproduce inside living organisms. According to statistics, one in three inhabitants of the planet has these parasites. Scientists maintain that there is no such adult person who has not had worms in their entire life. Consider how to get rid of worms, what types exist, how to detect and prevent them. Note that worms (ascariasis, enterobiasis) are a common problem, especially in childhood, and you should not panic.
Types of worms in humans
Helminths - the scientific name for worms - have their own subspecies. The most common helminths are pinworms, roundworms. Let's take a look at them.
Pinworms
Pinworms are called helminths which affect the human intestines. These are the best known and most widespread species. Reproduction of these helminths leads to the development of the disease - enterobiasis. Preschoolers and schoolchildren are most susceptible to pinworm infection.
General signs of the presence of helminths in the body:
- itching sensation in the anus;
- cramping abdominal pain, usually mild;
- decreased appetite;
- violation of stool;
- insomnia and weakness;
- allergic reactions that do not go away after using antiallergic drugs;
- unreasonable cough.
Mode of infection: contact and domestic route. Infection occurs when eggs are swallowed with food. Self-infection is extremely important - when combing an itchy anus, pinworm eggs fall under the nails, and then are swallowed. Adults can also get infected from children later on.
Ascariasis
Ascariasis is a family of large parasitic roundworms. The worm lives for 10-24 months, after which it, partially decomposed, comes out with feces. The organs of the gastrointestinal tract are most often affected, causing ascariasis. The preferred habitat for adults is the small intestine.
Giardiasis
Giardiasis - A disease caused by lamblia, a parasite in the small intestine of humans and some animals. Giardia exists in two forms: mobile (vegetative) and immobile (cystic form). The mobile form of lamblia has 4 pairs of flagella and a suction disc, with which it attaches to the mucous membrane of the small intestine. It lives in the human body in the duodenum (small intestine).
Causes of worms in humans
The main factors of helminth infection are:
- Non-compliance with elementary hygiene rules, in particular hand washing.
- Bad habits. These include biting nails, licking fingers, holding various objects (pens, pencils) in the mouth.
- Insufficient care for pets, especially pets, as they can carry infection. After the street, cats and dogs have to wipe their paws, bathe in time, have them examined and choose the right food.
- Drink raw, unfiltered water from an unreliable source.
- Unprocessed vegetables, fruits and green vegetables before meals;
- Poorly processed meat and fish products.
- Close contact with an infected person.
- Sandboxes - it is in them that the worms live. Sandboxes in playgrounds should be kept away from cats and dogs.
Why are worms dangerous?
Thanks to modern medicine, it is possible to detect a disease in time, get rid of it, therefore, serious consequences are quite rare phenomena. Worms can cause the following phenomena:
- intestinal obstruction;
- allergic rash;
- predisposition to poisoning;
- the development of anemia;
- deterioration of health;
- weightloss;
- lower the percentage of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice.
Helminthic invasion can cause weight loss, a pale tinge, itching in the anal passage. Complications depend on the type of parasite and the degree of infection. Especially dangerous is the appearance of helminths in children and during pregnancy.
How to know if there are worms
It is important to detect helminthic invasion as early as possible, which significantly increases the effectiveness of treatment and prevents the development of complications.
Basic diagnostic methods:
- analysis of feces for intestinal parasites (ascariasis);
- analysis of scrapings for pinworm eggs (enterobiosis);
- a blood test for the determination of antibodies specific to worms (detection of immunoglobulins - ELISA) - intestinal and tissue parasites. The most revealing study.
A new analysis should be performed no earlier than 14 days after anthelmintic treatment. Typically, the patient is prescribed a combination of several tests in order to identify the parasite. The recovery criterion is considered one negative ELISA result and several negative results from the study of the biological environment where the worms were detected.
Pay attention! Requirements for the preparation of biomaterial (feces for intestinal parasites):
- Prepare a sterile container. Now they have created specialized containers equipped with a practical spoon. You can buy it at any pharmacy;
- Do not use a laxative;
- Faeces are collected in the morning before being tested;
- It is impossible to let urine enter the stool, so it is imperative to urinate before the process.
- It is necessary to collect material from different parts of the last part.
- Put in a prepared container about a tablespoon of excrement (10-15 g).
- Deliver the container to the laboratory as soon as possible - the so-called "hot faeces".
Scratching for enterobiasiscarried out in the morning, in the child's bed, before the morning emptying and hygiene procedures. A transparent narrow tape is used, which is applied with the sticky side to the perianal folds, and then, with the same side with the biomaterial, is glued to a clean, dry slide. Do not use a matte or colored sticky dot.
Worm treatment methods
An infectious disease specialist or parasitologist is involved in the treatment of parasitic infestations. But you should not immediately consult a doctor with a narrow specialization: it is better to contact a pediatrician or therapist. He will name a number of studies and, if necessary, refer to a parasitologist or gastroenterologist.
If worms are detected in a child, it is imperative to conduct anthelmintic therapy for all family members.
When worms are found, the doctor prescribes antiparasitic agents aimed at combating a specific type of worm. Modern drugs effectively fight worms at every stage of the life cycle: adults, larvae and eggs. In most cases (for example, ascariasis), a single dose of pills is sufficient, but sometimes it is necessary to undergo drug therapy - the treatment is developed by a specialist doctor.
It is unacceptable to violate the tactics of treatment prescribed by the doctor - this can lead to the fact that the eggs of the worms remain in the body, which in the future will provoke a re-invasion.
What pills can be used
Modern drugs come in the form of tablets or suspensions for children.
The method of application for all drugs is different. It is important to read the instructions carefully and to follow them scrupulously. Another point concerns contraindications. Contraindications are based on various diseases of the liver, pregnancy and lactation. Ideally, discuss this with your doctor.
Drugs are selected by the attending physician depending on the type of worms, the characteristics of the organism, the stage of infection, the age of the patient. Not always, to drive away worms, there are enough anthelmintic drugs. In some cases, complex treatment is prescribed.
After its vital activity, the worm causes damage to our body. Therefore, it is important not only to carry out anthelmintic treatment, but it is also necessary to cleanse the body of toxins formed during the death of worms.
The killed helminth secretes decomposition products, which are among the most potent intestinal poisons. Allergic reactions may occur, the formation and outflow of bile is disturbed, the peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract suffers, which manifests itself in the form of a "lazy bowel" or, on the contrary, its excessive activity- diarrhea - "leaky gut". The body's resistance to viruses and bacteria decreases, chronic latent infections are activated.
In addition to antiparasitic agents, drugs that improve the condition of the gastrointestinal tract, vitamins to eliminate vitamin deficiencies, antihistamines (in case of an allergic reaction), hepatoprotectors, choleretics and sorbents can be prescribed.
Currently, in the arsenal of pharmacies, you can buy phyto-complexes that combine all these effects.
Let's see what kind of herbal remedies will help us get rid of helminths.
Treatment with folk remedies
Pumpkin seeds and honey
Pumpkin seeds have long been known in folk medicine, their pharmacological properties have been confirmed experimentally and clinically. The seeds are used against various tapeworms (bovine, pork and dwarf tapeworms, large tapeworm) and pinworms.
The main pharmacologically active substance that determines the deworming effect of pumpkin seeds is the amino compound cucurbitine (3-amino-3-carboxypyrrolidine), the content of which in the seeds reaches 0. 1-0. 3%, depending on the variety ofpumpkin.
- To combat worms, 300. 0 peeled seeds are taken in small portions on an empty stomach for 1 hour (you can grind in a mortar, always with a green shell and mix with 50-100. 0 honey).
- After 3 hours a laxative is given, after 0. 5 hours an enema is given.
- Children 3-4 years old receive 75. 0 seeds;
- 5-7 years - 100, 0;
- 8-10 years - 150, 0;
- 10-15 years - 200, 0-250, 0.
Sow garlic
Garlic, the beneficial properties of which are known all over the world, is most common in different countries. Garlic (Allium sativum L. ) contains phytoncides, the main ones being allicin, geraniol, rutin, quercetin. Garlic has a general fortifying effect, stimulates immunity, has anthelmintic, antimicrobial, antiviral and fungicidal activity, improves motor and secretory activity of the gastrointestinal tract, suppresses fermentation and putrefaction in the intestine.
Yarrow
The beneficial properties of yarrow are expressed in choleretic action, increased production of gastric juice, improved appetite. Thanks to its antispasmodic effect, yarrow herb is used to reduce pain caused by intestinal spasms.
Long turmeric
Turmeric has been used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine as a remedy for many ailments including colds, stomach ulcers, liver disease, and to heal skin wounds. Turmeric is rich in essential oils, the building blocks of which are borneol, known for its powerful antiseptic effect, as well as fellandrene, tsingiberen, curcumin and others. It also contains vitamins in high concentrations (vitamin -% of daily value): B6 - 90%; C - 28%; E - 20. 7%; B1 - 10%. A safe daily dose of turmeric is 1 teaspoon. Daily consumption of turmeric improves digestion, stimulates the gallbladder (turmeric should not be used for cholelithiasis because the spice causes increased bile flow) and lowers blood cholesterol levels.
Common caraway
In modern medicine, the fruits of cumin are used to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, intestinal atony, flatulence. The plant is used for spasms of the bile ducts. Caraway fruits are part of the carminative, gastric, appetizing and other collections.
Recipes
- The infusion is prepared at the rate of 2-3 teaspoons of caraway seeds in a glass of boiling water.
- Insist 45 minutes and take 2-3 tbsp. spoons (children 1 teaspoon). 5 to 6 times a day before meals.
Prevention of helminthiasis
In order not to catch a parasite for yourself, it is imperative to respect the rules of hygiene: a modern change of linen, a regular shower, and hand washing. It is even better to spray household items with an antiseptic.
It is important to eat well and manage it well. Be especially careful with fish and meat. During evisceration, the fish should be carefully inspected for eggs and worms, and a separate board should be used to carve raw fish and meat. In spring and summer, it is important to wash green vegetables and berries in the garden well.
You should also perform regular spring cleaning. Drink only proven water and treat your pets with proper care and care. The main caretaker - immunity - also needs help and care.
If there are animals in the house, then all family members should carry out worm prophylaxis, be sure to include the most loved animal.