Treatment of parasitic diseases is an urgent problem for the population of countries with warm and warm climates. According to the World Health Organization, 25% of the world's population is susceptible to helminthic infestations. Parasites can exist for a long time (several years) in the body of the host, not revealing their presence and gradually destroying the organs from within. Most helminthiasis is accompanied by allergic reactions and suppression of immune protection, which leads to serious illness and even death.
What are worms
Helminths (worms) - a general name for parasitic worms owned by a person or animal. There are currently more than 250 species of helminths on the planet (about 90 of them live in the CIS). In length, worms in the human body can reach several meters, but most are 20-40 cm in size. Helminths are able to inhabit almost all organs of the human body, feeding on the internal resources of the host, weakening it and leading to the development of disease.
The peculiarity of helminths is that their full life cycle cannot take place in the body of the host - conditions that are non-specific to the human body are necessary for the maturation of eggs. Prolonged presence of worms is due to re-infection (swallowing mature eggs in the mouth and then in the stomach and intestines). Once helminth eggs enter the human body, larvae emerge from them and begin to move through the body. Most helminths "live" in the gut, but some types of worms can migrate through the bloodstream to other organs (lungs, liver, heart, brain, eyes).
In the process of infection and further development in adults, worms in the human body have the following pathological effects:
- mechanical violation of the integrity of the intestinal wall;
- exposure to toxic waste helminths;
- absorption of beneficial substances needed by a person by parasites;
- closure of the liver canal, intestinal lumen with lumps of worms (rare in lesions of large helminths).
Helminthiasis is a group of diseases caused by helminthic invasion. Children are more susceptible to such pathologies, because their immunity is not yet fully formed, and in addition, they are not able to take care of personal hygiene on their own. Infections of adult family members are possible away from the child, which contributes to further spread.
Helminthiasis is not characterized by specific symptoms, because the clinical picture of worm infection is similar to the signs of pathology of the gallbladder, liver, gastrointestinal tract, so laboratory tests are needed to make an accurate diagnosis. In addition, there is often asymptomatic wear, the diagnosis of which is associated with certain difficulties.
Types
Helminths, based on morphological characteristics, are divided into three major groups: round, tapeworms and flatworms. Each category is divided into several classes. Helminthiasis is combined into groups based on the type of worm that causes the disease. Characteristics of helminth species and pathologies that cause:
- Roundworms (nematodes) are heterosexual helminths of relatively small size (2-40 cm), they are widespread due to ease of transmission. Infection with nematodes occurs when the eggs of the parasite enter the mouth of the host from the feces of the carrier. The most common representatives of helminths are pinworms - they are infected in 90% of cases. Pinworm larvae cause enterobiosis, accompanied by severe exhaustion, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The second most common helminthiasis is caused by the worm ascaris and is called ascariasis - it is a pathology in which parasites infect not only the human intestine, but also other organs (liver, lungs, heart). Ascariasis can cause internal bleeding, the appearance of allergic reactions, in children - developmental delay. The so-called whip, despite its small size (3-5 cm), can have a toxic effect on the human body for 5 years, causing trichocephaly. The influence of the worm Trichinella leads to the development of trichinosis, which is characterized by damage to muscle tissue.
- Tapeworms are the largest representatives of helminths (10-15 meters). These are same-sex parasites, ie. their reproduction is performed by one individual. An obligatory phase in the life cycle of a tapeworm is the development of ungulates in the body. Cestode eggs enter the environment in the feces of host animals. In addition, infection through contaminated meat is possible. For example, insufficient heat treatment of pork leads to infection with swine tapeworm, beef - beef tapeworm. Echinococcosis, caused by echinococcus tapeworms, for which the person is an intermediate, is considered a serious parasitic disease. This pathology leads to the formation of cysts in the organs, which can be eliminated only with the help of surgical intervention.
- Flatworms (trematodes) are small (7-30 mm) and usually affect the liver and bile ducts. Trematosis can lead to the development of hepatitis, cholelithiasis. The main feature of flatworms is the presence of teats on the surface of the body, which serve to absorb nutrients and blood. Trematode infection occurs due to consuming poorly cooked or cooked fish and seafood. The main representatives of trematodes are liver flukes and schistosomes; the former causes opisthorchiasis, the latter schistosomiasis.
A special niche among parasitic invasions is occupied by protozoal infections caused by the simplest single-celled microorganisms. The reproduction of these parasites takes place by division, so their number increases rapidly. The most common type of single-celled parasite in our area is lamblia, it exists in two forms - vegetation and cysts (spores). According to statistics, every third child suffers from giardiasis, because the infection occurs when only 2-10 lamblia cysts enter the intestine.
Causes
Infection with helminthic and protozoal invasions takes place by the oral-fecal route - mature eggs or spores enter the mouth and intestines of the host from the feces of infected animals. Science knows four main ways of infection:
- Contact - is carried out when a person comes into contact with an infected carrier (animals, birds, another person), leads to the development of contact helminthiasis.
- Infection through soil and water, which contain eggs or cysts that cause disease, causes geohelminthiasis.
- Infection caused by consuming raw or insufficiently heat-treated meat and fish leads to the development of biohelminthiasis.
- A small percentage of infestations are the result of insect bites.
How to treat human worms
The symptoms of lesions by different helminths are usually similar. The most striking and common signs are sudden weight loss, malaise, pale skin, itchy anus. At the same time, some symptoms can still help in diagnosing - for example, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, signal the presence of bovine tapeworm in the body, allergic reactions and skin rash - whip, etc. How to remove worms from a person, what methods and remedies are available for this - these questions are addressed by a doctor of infectious diseases.
Determining the correct diagnosis is based on accurately determining the type of pathogenic helminth. This may require laboratory tests (urine, blood, feces, bile) and other diagnostic measures (ultrasound, fluorography). It is necessary to immediately begin to remove parasites - the longer the helminths are in the body, the later it is harder to get rid of the consequences of defeat. The doctor prescribes treatment based on the patient's weight, gender and age, taking into account the individual characteristics and general condition of the patient.
Successful elimination of worms in humans is ensured not only by treatment with anthelmintics, but also by adhering to a healthy diet and preventing new infections. Previously, only folk methods were used to remove parasites, and now they are used as additional measures to control helminths, because many synthetic anthelmintics have appeared on the pharmaceutical market.
The modern pharmaceutical industry has about 20 drugs to remove worms in humans. Among them are drugs with a narrow and broad spectrum of action:
> zxtable border = "1" cellpadding = "0" >How to remove worms from a person
Most anthelmintic drugs are effective against adults - eggs and larvae are not significantly destructive. For this reason, doctors recommend repeating the course after 2-3 weeks to rule out re-infection. In addition, experts advise, when treating some types of helminthiasis, to put an enema in the evening or drink a laxative after taking the tablets in the morning.
Among the traditional remedies the most effective are raw pumpkin seeds, garlic, tansy. The mechanism of action of most drugs and non-traditional drugs for the removal of worms consists in disrupting the neuromuscular system of helminths, suppressing metabolism (due to inhibition of fumarate reductase) and destroying the integumentary tissue of worms.
During treatment, the patient may develop signs of intoxication: intestinal disorders, headache, vomiting, allergic reactions, abdominal pain. Treatment of worms in humans with antiparasitic drugs should be carried out only on the recommendation of a doctor and according to the manufacturer's instructions, in order to avoid complications and side effects.
Tablets
All medicines for removing worms should be taken with meals with a glass of liquid (water, milk). Comparative characteristics of some worm tablets. All drugs are prohibited for use during pregnancy and lactation:
> zxtable border = "1" cellpadding = "0" >For a successful fight against parasites, it is important to carefully follow the rules of personal hygiene, strictly adhere to the course of treatment prescribed by a doctor. In addition to the use of anthelmintic drugs, it is recommended to take care of removing toxins from the body and restoring the work of organs, strengthening the immune system. Folk recipes (infusions, teas), as well as industrial vitamin and mineral complexes are widely used for this purpose.
Folk remedies
The use of traditional medicine recipes is very effective in removing parasites. For this purpose, decoctions, tinctures, enema solutions of the following natural ingredients are used:
- garlic;
- pumpkin seeds;
- walnut;
- onion;
- herbs: dandelion, tansy, wormwood, burdock, nettle;
- oils: hemp, cedar, flaxseed, sea buckthorn.
How to remove worms at home
Some types of helminthiasis are successfully treated at home without hospitalization, but if they are infected with large types of worms, supportive therapy may be needed in a hospital setting. Removing worms at home involves medication and the use of alternative medicine. Any funds are received only on the recommendation of a doctor, self-medication is prohibited.
Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are considered the most popular folk remedy for removing worms due to the negative effect on worms and the absence of side effects. The anthelmintic properties of this product are due to the presence in them of the substance cucurbitin, which is a poison to most worms. Pumpkin seeds should be consumed with the peel no more than 300 g per day for an adult. Some popular recipes:
- Wash and dry the seeds, grind in a blender, add honey. The mixture should be consumed on an empty stomach, after 4 hours take a laxative.
- During the day, you should eat 100 g of seeds (divided into 4 portions), after each intake, after an hour, drink a teaspoon of castor oil, the course is 3-4 days.
Garlic
Garlic remedies are believed to be effective against roundworms, pinworms and some types of tapeworms. In addition, garlic has immunostimulatory properties and does not cause serious side effects. Here are some recipes for garlic medicines:
- Grind 2 lemons and 10 garlic cloves in a meat grinder, stir and put in the fridge. Take 1 tablespoon three times a day.
- Pour a few chopped cloves of garlic with 200 ml of warm water, leave overnight. Garlic water should be taken every day, 200 ml in the morning on an empty stomach for a week.
Troichetka
This product contains the powder of several plants in different combinations. These drugs not only help in the fight against common helminthic invasions, but also help to normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract:
- Mix tansy, cloves and wormwood in a ratio of 4: 2: 1. Take a mixture of 1 teaspoon daily before meals with water, eat 2 tablespoons the next day, all the following days - 3. The course of treatment is 14 days.
- Mix marigold, dried calamus and cumin seeds in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. Take the mixture in a similar way.
Worm enema
Enemas based on substances toxic to parasites are widely used in the elimination of worms. Such procedures are effective only in the case of intestinal helminthiasis. Some popular recipes:
- Pour 2-3 chopped cloves of garlic with a glass of milk, boil, cool. Use an enema solution within 2 weeks. Children under 3 years of age should not be given an enema with garlic.
- Pour ½ teaspoons of baking soda with a glass of water, bring to a boil, cool. It is necessary to put soda enema for 30 minutes. The course of treatment is 7 days.
- Pour 1 tablespoon of chopped tansy flower with 500 ml of boiling water, cook for 15 minutes, then leave for 4 hours. The course of treatment is 5-7 days.