If this ailment affects you, consult your doctor and read this article.
Worms are called parasitic worms that live on other animals and plants, feed and reproduce within living organisms. 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. Consider how to get rid of worms, what types exist, how to detect and prevent them. Be aware 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 most famous and widespread species. The reproduction of these helminths leads to the development of the disease - enterobiasis. Preschoolers and school children are more susceptible to pinworm infection.
General signs of the presence of helminths in the body:
- itchy sensation in the anus;
- crampy abdominal pain, usually mild;
- decreased appetite;
- violation of feces;
- insomnia and weakness;
- allergic reactions that do not go away after the use of anti-allergy drugs;
- unreasonable cough
Contagion method: contact and domiciliary route. The infection occurs when the eggs are ingested with food. Self-infection is extremely important: When an itchy anus is combed, pinworm eggs fall under the nails and are then swallowed. Adults can also become infected from children later on.
Ascariasis
Ascariasis is a family of large parasitic worms. The worm lives from 10 to 24 months, after which, partially decomposed, it comes out with the feces. 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 of the small intestine of humans and some animals. Giardia exists in two forms: mobile (vegetative) and immobile (cyst form). The mobile form of 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:
- Non-compliance 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.
- Insufficient care of pets, especially garden pets, because they can carry infections. After the street, cats and dogs need to clean their paws, bathe in time, take them for examination and choose the right food.
- Drinking raw, unfiltered water from an unreliable source.
- Unprocessed vegetables, fruits and vegetables before meals;
- Badly processed meat and fish products.
- Close contact with an infected person.
- Sandboxes: worms live in them. Litter boxes on 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;
- reduce the percentage of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice.
Helminthic invasion can lead to weight loss, a pale, itchy tone in 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 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:
- stool testing for intestinal parasites (ascariasis);
- analysis of scrapings for pinworm eggs (enterobiasis);
- a blood test for the determination of specific antibodies against worms (immunoglobulin detection - ELISA): intestinal and tissue parasites. The most revealing study.
Retesting should be done no earlier than 14 days after anthelmintic treatment. Usually, the patient is prescribed a combination of several tests to identify the parasite. The recovery criterion is considered a 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 that are equipped with a practical spoon. You can buy it at any pharmacy;
- Don't use a laxative;
- The feces are collected in the morning before being analyzed;
- It is impossible to allow urine to enter the stool, therefore it is imperative to urinate before the process.
- It is necessary to collect the material from various parts of the last portion.
- Place about a tablespoon of stool (10-15 g) in a prepared container.
- Deliver the container to the laboratory as soon as possible: the so-called "hot stools".
Scraping of enterobiasisperformed in the morning, in the child's bed, before morning emptying and hygiene procedures. A narrow transparent tape is used, which is applied with the adhesive side to the perianal folds, and then, with the same side with the biomaterial, it is pasted on a clean and dry slide. Do not use any colored or matte adhesive stitches.
Methods of dealing with worms.
An infectious disease specialist or parasitologist is involved in treating parasitic infestations. But you should not immediately go to a doctor with limited specialization: it is better to contact a pediatrician or a therapist. He will designate a series 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 members of the family.
When worms are found, the doctor prescribes antiparasitic agents aimed at fighting a specific type of worms. Modern drugs effectively fight worms at all stages of the life cycle: adults, larvae, and eggs. In most cases (for example, ascariasis), a single dose of pills is enough, but sometimes it is necessary to undergo a course of medications; the treatment is developed by a specialist doctor.
It is unacceptable to violate the treatment tactics 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 cause a new invasion.
What pills can be used
Modern drugs are in the form of tablets or suspensions for children.
The method of application of all drugs is different. It is important to read the instructions carefully and follow them clearly. Another point is the contraindications. Contraindications are based on various diseases of the liver, pregnancy and lactation. Ideally, discuss this with your doctor.
Medications are selected by the attending physician based on the type of worms, the characteristics of the organism, the stage of infection, and the age of the patient. Not always, to scare 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 conduct anthelmintic therapy, but it is also necessary to cleanse the body of toxins formed during the death of worms.
The dead helminth secretes decomposition products, which are among the most powerful intestinal poisons. Allergic reactions can occur, the formation and outflow of bile is disturbed, peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract suffers, manifested in the form of a "lazy intestine" or, conversely, its excessive activity - diarrhea - "leaky gut". The body's resistance to viruses and bacteria decreases, chronic latent infections are activated.
Along with antiparasitic agents, drugs that improve the state 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 phytocomplexes that combine all these effects.
Let's see what kind of medicinal plants will help us get rid of helminths.
Treatment with home 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, swine and dwarf tapeworms, broad tapeworms) and pinworms.
The main pharmacologically active substance that determines the anthelmintic effect of pumpkin seeds is the amino compound cucurbitin (3-amino-3-carboxypyrrolidine), whose seed content reaches 0. 1-0. 3%, depending on the variety of pumpkin.
- To combat the worms, take 300. 0 peeled seeds 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 of honey).
- After 3 hours, a laxative is administered, after 0. 5 hours an enema is administered.
- Children from 3 to 4 years old receive 75. 0 seeds;
- 5-7 years - 100, 0;
- 8-10 years - 150, 0;
- 10-15 years - 200. 0-250. 0.
Sowing garlic
Garlic, whose beneficial properties are known throughout the world, is more widespread in different countries. Garlic (Allium sativum L. ) contains phytoncides, the main of which are allicin, geraniol, rutin, quercetin. Garlic has a general strengthening effect, stimulates immunity, has anthelmintic, antimicrobial, antiviral and fungicidal activity, improves the 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 gastric juice production, appetite improvement. Due to its antispasmodic effect, the herb yarrow 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, such as colds, stomach ulcers, liver disease, and to heal wounds on the skin. Turmeric is rich in essential oils, the constituent components 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 the 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 leads to increased bile output), and reduces 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 biliary tract. Caraway fruits are part of 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 tablespoons. spoons (children 1 tsp). 5-6 times a day before meals.
Helminthiasis prevention.
In order not to get a parasite, it is imperative to follow the rules of hygiene: a modern change of bedding, a regular shower and washing your hands. It's even better to spray household items with an antiseptic.
It is important to eat the right foods and handle them well. Take special care with fish and meat. During gutting, fish should be carefully inspected for eggs and worms, and a separate board should be used to cut raw fish and meat. In spring and summer, it is important to wash the vegetables and berries from the garden well.
Periodic spring cleaning is also necessary. Drink only tested water and treat your pets with proper care and care. The main guardian, immunity, also needs help and care.
If there are animals in the house, then all family members should do worm prophylaxis, be sure to include the most beloved pet.