If this disease catches up with you, see your doctor and read this article.
Worms are called parasitic worms that live on other animals and plants, feed on living organisms, and multiply. According to statistics, every third inhabitant of the planet has these parasites. Scientists argue that there is no such adult person who has not had worms in his entire life. Think about how to get rid of worms, what types are there, how to identify them and prevent them. Note that worms (ascariasis, enterobiasis) are a common problem, especially in childhood, and you shouldn't 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 that affect the human intestines. They are the best known and most widespread species. The reproduction of these helminths leads to the development of the disease - enterobiasis. Preschoolers and school children are most susceptible to pinworm infection.
General signs of the presence of helminths in the body:
- Itching in the anus;
- crampy abdominal pain, usually mild;
- decreased appetite;
- Injury to the stool;
- Insomnia and weakness;
- allergic reactions that do not go away after using antiallergic drugs;
- unreasonable cough.
Method of contagion: contact and household route. Infection occurs when eggs are swallowed with food. Self-infection is extremely important - when combing an itchy anus, pinworm eggs fall under your fingernails and are then swallowed. Adults can later become infected from children.
Ascariasis
Ascariasis is a family of large parasitic roundworms. The worm lives 10 to 24 months, after which it gets by with feces, partially decomposed. Most often, the organs of the gastrointestinal tract are affected, which leads to ascariasis. The preferred habitat for adults is the small intestine.
Giardiasis
Giardiasis - A disease caused by lamblia, a parasite found in the small intestine of humans and some animals. Giardia exist in two forms: mobile (vegetative) and motionless (cyst form). The movable form of the lamblia has 4 pairs of flagella and a suction disk 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 helminthiasis infection are:
- Failure to comply with basic hygiene rules, especially hand washing.
- Bad habits. These include biting your nails, licking your fingers, holding various objects (pens, pencils) in your mouth.
- Inadequate care of pets, especially farm animals, as they can be carriers of infection. After the road, cats and dogs have to wipe their paws, bathe in time, bring them to an examination and choose the right food.
- Drinking raw, unfiltered water from an unreliable source.
- Unprocessed vegetables, fruits and vegetables before meals;
- Poorly processed meat and fish products.
- Close contact with an infected person.
- Sandboxes - worms live in them. Sandboxes in playgrounds should be kept away from cats and dogs.
Why are worms dangerous?
Thanks to modern medicine, it is possible to identify and get rid of a disease in a timely manner, so serious consequences are quite rare. Worms can cause the following phenomena:
- Intestinal obstruction;
- allergic rash;
- Predisposition to poisoning;
- the development of anemia;
- Deterioration in health;
- Weight loss;
- Reduction of the hydrochloric acid content in gastric juice.
Helminth invasion can cause weight loss, pale hue, and itching of the anal passage. Complications depend on the type of parasite and the degree of infection. The appearance of helminths in children and during pregnancy is especially dangerous.
How to tell if there are worms
It is important to detect helminth invasion as early as possible, which will greatly increase the effectiveness of treatment and prevent the development of complications.
Basic diagnostic methods:
- Analysis of feces for intestinal parasites (ascariasis);
- Analysis of scrapings for pinworm eggs (enterobiasis);
- a blood test to determine specific antibodies against worms (detection of immunoglobulins - ELISA) - intestinal and tissue parasites. The most revealing study.
A new analysis should be carried out no earlier than 14 days after the anthelmintic treatment. Typically, the patient is prescribed a combination of several tests to identify the parasite. The criteria for recovery are a negative ELISA result and several negative results from the study of the biological environment in which the worms were detected.
Pay attention! Requirements for the preparation of biomaterial (feces for intestinal parasites):
- Prepare a sterile container. Now they have developed special containers that are equipped with a practical spoon. You can buy it in any pharmacy;
- Do not use a laxative;
- Feces are collected in the morning before the test;
- It is impossible for urine to get into the feces, so it is imperative to urinate before the process.
- It is necessary to collect the material from different parts of the last serving.
- Put about a tablespoon of feces (10-15 g) in a prepared container.
- Deliver the container to the laboratory as soon as possible - the so-called "warm feces".
Scraping for enterobiasisCarried out in the morning in the cot before the morning emptying and hygiene measures. A narrow, transparent tape is used, the sticky side of which is applied to the perianal folds and then stuck to a clean, dry slide with the same side as the biomaterial. Do not use matte or colored glue stitches.
Methods of dealing with worms
An infectious disease specialist or parasitologist is involved in treating parasite infestations. But you should not immediately go to a doctor with a narrow specialization: it is better to contact a pediatrician or therapist. He will commission a number of studies and, if necessary, refer them to a parasitologist or gastroenterologist.
If worms are discovered in a child, it is imperative to conduct antihelminth therapy for all members of the family.
If worms are found, the doctor will prescribe antiparasitic drugs designed to fight a specific type of worm. Modern drugs effectively fight worms at every stage of the life cycle: adults, larvae and eggs. In most cases (such as ascariasis) a single dose of pills is enough, but sometimes drug treatment is required - 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 will lead to a re-invasion in the future.
Which pills can be used?
Modern drugs are offered 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 clearly. Another point is contraindications. Contraindications are based on various liver diseases, pregnancy and lactation. Ideally, discuss this with your doctor.
Medicines are selected by the attending physician depending on the type of worms, the characteristics of the organism, the stage of infection and the age of the patient. There are not always enough anthelmintics to drive away the worms. In some cases, complex treatment is prescribed.
After its vital activity, the worm damages our body. Therefore, it is important not only to conduct anthelmintic therapy, but also to cleanse the body of toxins that are formed when worms die.
The killed helminth secretes decay products, which are among the strongest intestinal toxins. Allergic reactions can occur, the formation and outflow of bile is disturbed, the peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract suffers, which manifests itself in the form of "lazy intestines" or, on the contrary, its excessive activity - diarrhea - "leaky gut". The body's defenses against viruses and bacteria decrease and latent chronic infections are activated.
In addition to anti-parasitic agents, drugs that improve the condition of the gastrointestinal tract, vitamins to eliminate vitamin deficiency, 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 medicinal plants 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 (beef, pork and dwarf tapeworms, broadband worms) and pinworms.
The most important pharmacologically active substance that determines the anthelmintic effect of pumpkin seeds is the amino compound cucurbitin (3-amino-3-carboxypyrrolidine), the content of which in the seeds is 0. 1-0. 3%, depending on the type of pumpkin.
- To combat worms, 300. 0 peeled seeds are taken in small portions for 1 hour on an empty stomach (you can grind in a mortar, always with a green peel 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 are given 75. 0 seeds;
- 5-7 years old - 100, 0;
- 8-10 years old - 150, 0;
- 10-15 years old - 200, 0-250, 0.
Sowing garlic
Garlic, whose beneficial properties are known around the world, is the most common in various countries. Garlic (Allium sativum L. ) contains phytoncides, the most important of which are allicin, geraniol, rutin and quercetin. Garlic has a general tonic effect, stimulates the immune system, has anthelmintic, antimicrobial, antiviral and fungicidal effects, improves the motor and secretory activity of the gastrointestinal tract, suppresses fermentation and putrefaction in the intestines.
yarrow
The beneficial properties of yarrow are expressed in choleretic effects, increased production of gastric juice, improved appetite. Thanks to its antispasmodic properties, yarrow herb is used to relieve pain caused by intestinal cramps.
Long turmeric
Turmeric is used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine as a remedy for many ailments, including colds, stomach ulcers, liver diseases and to heal skin wounds. Turmeric is rich in essential oils, the components of which are borneol, known for its powerful antiseptic properties, as well as fellandren, 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 intake of turmeric improves digestion, stimulates the gallbladder (turmeric should not be used for cholelithiasis, as the spice causes increased bile outflow), and lowers blood cholesterol.
Caraway seed
In modern medicine, the fruits of cumin are used to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, intestinal atony and flatulence. The plant is used for spasms of the biliary tract. Caraway seeds are part of carmine, stomach, appetite and other collections.
Recipes
- The infusion is prepared with 2-3 teaspoons of caraway seeds in a glass of boiling water.
- Insist 45 minutes and take 2-3 tbsp. Spoon (children 1 teaspoon). 5-6 times a day before meals.
Helminthiasis prevention
In order not to catch a parasite, the rules of hygiene must be observed: modern linen change, regular showering and hand washing. It is even better to spray household items with an antiseptic.
It is important to eat the right food and handle it well. Be especially careful with fish and meat. During gutting, the fish should be carefully examined for eggs and worms, and a separate board should be used for slaughtering raw fish and meat. In spring and summer, it is important to thoroughly wash the greens and berries from the garden.
You will also need to do a regular spring cleaning. Drink only proven water and treat your pets with care and reasonable care. Even the main guardian - immunity - needs help and care.
If there are animals in the house, then all family members need to do worm prophylaxis, be sure to include the most popular pet.