Signs of parasites in the body and methods of treatment

Dry statistics say that half of the world's population is a carrier of parasitic worms. Currently, scientists have over 200 species of them. One lives for many years, does not pay attention to the symptoms and does not know about the presence of uninvited "guests". But more often the opposite happens: the body, weakened by the presence of parasites, becomes an easy "catch" for various diseases, to oncology. Some of the worms are removed with medication, but there are also those that can only be removed by surgery.

Varieties of parasites and methods of infection

For a successful battle you need to know the enemy by eye. What are the parasites in the human body and where exactly should you look for them?

  1. Roundwormsare the most common group. These include pinworms, roundworms, toxocara, whips, abrasions. They live in the human digestive system. Infection occurs when eating unwashed vegetables, fruits, vegetables. At the same time you need to wash any products, even from your own garden. There is also a danger of getting helminths by eating salted fish, bacon and bad fried meat. At risk are those who have pets - cats and dogs. Some parasites do not reproduce in animals, but the latter are their active carriers.
  2. Tape- pork and beef tapeworms, echinococci, broad tapeworms. These are the largest representatives of worms - tapeworms, for example, reach 25 m in length. They have the unique ability to nourish the whole body. In addition, they can move throughout the human body, including the brain and spinal cord. Worms in this class become infected by eating poorly cooked meat and fish - a sick individual can be the source of a tasty meal. Products that have passed strict veterinary control must be purchased.
  3. Subcutaneous- heartworm, filamentous nematode, scab. They multiply in the subcutaneous tissue of the host. The most common parasites of this type are found in tropical countries - India, Iraq, Africa. The infection is spread by blood-sucking insects - mosquitoes, flies, bedbugs. Its main symptom is a small formation that moves when pressed.
  4. Trematodes (methyls)- fasciola (liver methyl), schistosome, fascilopsis. They live in the liver, bile ducts, pancreas, intestines. The infection is caused by half-baked, lightly salted or undercooked fish. Drinking unboiled water also contributes to the acquisition of parasites.
  5. Tissues- trypanosomes, Finns live in the brain and spinal cord, sarcosporidia - in striated muscles, and microsporidia - in connective tissues. This class lives in different body tissues. In general, the carriers are wild and domestic animals and birds - horses, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats. Through poorly cooked meat, parasites make their way into the human body.

Symptoms of infection

It is not always realistically easy to determine that "guests" have settled in the body. The infected person may not know about their presence for several years. Very often the signs of parasites are very similar to the symptoms of some diseases. There is a whole list of signals that the body gives in case of danger:

  1. anemia - an excessive amount of protozoa provokes large blood loss, which is the cause of iron deficiency;
  2. nausea, abdominal pain - worms irritate and damage the walls of internal organs, resulting in the formation of wounds, microcracks and inflammation;
  3. alternation of constipation and diarrhea - the first symptom occurs due to the large number or excessive size of parasites in the body, which contributes to the obstruction of the intestinal lumen. The appearance of diarrhea is provoked by special substances secreted by protozoa, which can destroy chlorides and sodium;
  4. flatulence (increased flatulence) and bloating are the result of inflammation in the digestive tract damaged by worms. Therefore, there is no absorption of fat in the small intestine, which immediately enters the colon;
  5. Bruxism (gnashing of teeth) is a clear sign of infection. This is how the nervous system responds to a particular stimulus;
  6. skin problems - peeling, acne, boils, eczema, papillomas, warts, changes in the structure of hair and nails, allergic reactions. These symptoms occur due to the fact that protozoa release many toxins that the liver cannot cope with elimination. Accordingly, they all accumulate in man. The body tries in every way to get rid of this dirt, including removing it through the skin;
  7. abrupt weight loss or gain - "due" to the absorption of nutrients by worms, the human body experiences a lack of them, which leads to weight loss; weight gain is due to a drop in blood sugar, which increases the feeling of hunger, which the patient must constantly satisfy;
  8. joint and muscle pain is due to the movement of parasites through the body and their establishment in the muscles and joint fluid. This symptom indicates inflammation of the tissues;
  9. Deterioration of immunity, which causes permanent diseases that are difficult to diagnose. The reason for this is the fight of the human immune system against worms. With this symptom, the amount of immunoglobulin decreases and the body becomes helpless against attacks of viruses and infections;
  10. frequent cough, profuse sputum, runny nose, fever occur due to the fact that during the migration process the worms enter the respiratory tract. Parasites in the body can provoke the development of asthma and pneumonia;
  11. increased fatigue, nervousness, irritability are caused by the fact that worms consume nutrients needed by humans that the body does not receive - magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron;
  12. When infected with pinworms, severe itching in the anus is added to the listed symptoms of parasites. This is due to the fact that female squirrels crawl to lay their eggs at night, which sometimes causes an unbearable burning sensation.

See a doctor

If a person has at least 3-4 of the above symptoms, then you should see a doctor as soon as possible and undergo treatment.

In such cases, contact the following specialists:

  • parasitologist;
  • helminthologist;
  • infectious disease specialist;
  • pediatrician;
  • therapist.

The specialist will definitely recommend tests and based on their results will choose the optimal therapy. Depending on the symptoms and treatment should be appropriate. Studies alone are unlikely to provide a definitive answer to the presence or absence of parasites. Tests for some types of worms are done 7-8 times.

Another important nuance:if the infection is confirmed, then all family members are treated and protected from parasites. Most of the protozoa spread rapidly in everyday life: through vessels, household items.

The reason for going to the doctor is as follows:

  • recent return from a trip abroad, especially from African or Asian countries;
  • the presence of various impurities in the feces - mucus, blood;
  • sudden weight loss;
  • itching in the anus;
  • prolonged diarrhea or alternating constipation with diarrhea;
  • frequent colds or other illnesses.

There are a number of symptoms that accompany helminthiasis. Few people realize that banal fatigue can be a consequence of helminth infestations. A baby who is infected with parasites immediately begins to lose appetite and does not even want to eat his favorite foods, he wants to eat sweets. There is pain and cramps in the abdomen, nausea (especially in the morning), diarrhea. Often the child becomes moody, irritable, his sleep is disturbed, gnashing of teeth can be observed in sleep (although today scientists argue whether digestion is a sign of helminthiasis), emptying the bladder, cough (no signs of colds). Worms cause a delay in children's physical and mental development, in helminthiasis, puberty occurs later, there are disorders of memory and thinking.

At risk are lovers of dried and semi-raw meat, unprocessed minced meat, fresh fish. This includes pre-school and primary school children, pet owners, veterinary clinic staff and those who often work the land in professional or other activities. For example, summer residents.

To prevent parasitic worm infections, you need to follow some rules:

  • wash your hands more often, especially for children and adults after contact with animals;
  • kill house insects - flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches;
  • Wash vegetables and fruits well, preferably with warm boiled water.

Drug treatment

A wide range of anti-parasitic pharmaceuticals are available. Those who want to get a good result in the fight against an internal enemy must know who the war is against. This is established only after a visit to the doctor and passing tests.

Of course, there are drugs that can successfully cure several types of worms at once. However, they kill not only parasites, but also the beneficial microflora of humans. After taking them, a course of rehabilitation therapy is carried out.

Under no circumstances should you be cured. All antiglutants are synthetic drugs that can have toxic effects on the liver, blood cells and the immune system. For this reason, do not use them unnecessarily and on the advice of a doctor. For prevention it is better to use folk recipes for the treatment of worms in humans.

Folk remedies

Even if there are no symptoms of parasites, prophylaxis is performed every six months or a year. It has long been known that worms can not tolerate fragrant herbs and plants: onions, garlic, tansy, wormwood. The oldest known remedy for helminths is pumpkin seeds. It is enough to buy a package of this product in any pharmacy or store, carefully peel (but not to remove the green skin) and eat.

There are many popular ways to get rid of helminths. Here are the simplest:

  1. in spring and summer eat a few sorrel leaves on an empty stomach;
  2. in winter it is very good to take baths with the addition of anise infusion. This substance easily enters the body through the pores of the skin. And because it has a pungent odor, parasites can't stand it;
  3. medicine that absolutely everyone can afford, even pregnant and lactating women - pumpkin seeds;
  4. two hundred ml pour 2 tbsp oak bark. Insist in a closed thermos - so the water is better saturated with phytoncides;
  5. an art. l. tansy flowers pour a glass of boiling water and then insist under the lid for 4 hours. Then filter and drink 1 tbsp 4 times a day half an hour before meals;
  6. mix 150 ml of alcohol and 1 tbsp wormwood. The mixture is infused for 2 weeks, then take 20 drops 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.

You don't need to be shy and let the problem of helminth infection develop. If you consult a specialist when the first signs of illness appear and undergo a course of treatment, you can avoid many diseases. Once you get rid of the parasites, the basic hygiene rules are followed - and the worms will never appear in the body again. After all, it is easier to prevent a disease than to cure it long and painfully.