A person believes that his body belongs only to him.However, there are parasites that inhabit it without asking - these are worms.No one is happy with such cohabitation, so urgent measures are taken to get rid of uninvited neighbors.
Types of worms in humans
Worms or helminths are parasitic worms that live off animals and plants, feed and reproduce inside living organisms.You and I are no exception.
According to statistics, every third inhabitant of the Earth is infected with parasitic worms.A general practitioner says that there is no adult person who has not had at least one worm lodged in his body during his life.
In everyday life, people call almost all parasitic worms worms, without thinking about how many species of these unpleasant creatures there actually are.
Among all the parasitic worms that can exist in the human body, there are three main groups:
- nematodes associated with roundworms: pinworm, whipworm, trichinella, roundworm;
- tapeworms or flatworms related to cestodes (various species, tapeworms and echinococci);
- parasites or trematodes that cause opisthorchosis, fascioliasis, schistosomiasis, paragonimiasis and other diseases.
Causes of worms in humans
The general name of diseases caused by worms is helminthosis.It occurs when worm larvae or eggs enter the human body.
This can happen for the following reasons:
- a person does not follow the basic rules of hygiene: he does not wash his hands after walking on the street, visiting guests or using the toilet, and does not rinse them before eating.
- The cause of worms in people is often the habit of biting nails, sucking fingers and holding various objects in the mouth: pens, pencils.
- If you have pets, especially those that roam the streets, the risk of getting worms is high.
Even with timely anthelmintic therapy, dogs and cats can spread stray worm eggs on their paws and fur.
- If you do not treat the vegetables, fruits, berries and greens that you will eat with boiling water, you can get worms.
- Drinking raw water from an unknown source or washing food with it is dangerous.
- Improperly processed meat and fish are a risk of infection.A wide band lives when poorly thermally processed beef - beef, pork - pork and low-salt and raw fish are eaten.
- If you rarely clean the house, wear open shoes and avoid washing the floors, you can catch worms in the house.
- Worms can also be passed from an infected person if you share dishes, bedding, or stay in the same room for a long time.
It is clear that most of the causes of worms in humans are due to lack of hygiene.Those who take care of themselves, their homes, and their pets may never encounter these parasites.
Treatment of worms in humans
Treatment of worms in a person is carried out by a general practitioner if the patient is an adult, and by a pediatrician if the worms are in a child.
In the case of worms, in no case should you self-medicate: the drugs used in the treatment of helminths are quite difficult for the body.
Usually, complex therapy is used in the treatment of worms in humans, the purpose of which is not only to destroy the parasites, but also to eliminate the consequences of their vital activity.Therefore, it will not be possible to manage only with anthelmintic drugs.In addition, it is often necessary to treat all family members, because people in a narrow circle easily infect each other.
In addition to drugs, vitamins and enzymes that improve digestion can also be prescribed.For more effective treatment of worms, a person will have to follow a diet and limit carbohydrates: sweets, flour.
If there are animals at home, they should undergo anthelmintic therapy twice a year, otherwise all treatment efforts will be wasted.
What tablets can be used?
Worms are a very subtle problem, which forces many people to self-medicate.Advertising constantly insists that certain pills can solve the problem immediately.
However, many people do not see that there is a sign in any advertisement that you should consult a doctor before using it.These are not simple words, we have already said that anti-worm drugs are very serious and can be harmful if taken without supervision.
The following are used to treat worms in humans:
- anthelmintic drugs - destroy worms;
- antihistamines that will help if you are allergic to parasites that die en masse;
- enterosorbents that remove harmful substances and waste products of parasites from the body.
- Iron supplements, vitamin B12, folic acid will all help with anemia.
- hepatoprotectors to protect the liver.
- probiotics.
The frequency of drug administration is determined by an infectious disease specialist based on the patient's objective examination, complaints and test results.
Traditional treatment methods
As a folk remedy for worms, children and adults can eat dried pumpkin seeds.According to doctors, they contain cucurbitins that destroy worms.However, you should not rely on the miracle cure from worms with the help of pumpkin seeds.
Parasites living in the body are very dangerous.Without serious treatment under the supervision of a doctor, complications may arise: the worms will spread throughout the body.They can penetrate the gallbladder and its ducts, enter the ducts of the pancreas.Parasites can cause intestinal obstruction and anemia - a decrease in the level of hemoglobin.
When should you see a doctor?
If you suspect helminthiasis, you should make an appointment with a doctor: a general practitioner, a pediatrician or an infectious disease specialist.
Common symptoms of worms in humans include:
- faintness, weakness, fatigue;
- allergies such as skin rashes, cough, asthma attacks;
- decreased or increased appetite;
- nausea, vomiting without poisoning;
- stomach pain;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- weight loss even if the appetite is good;
- sleep problems, insomnia;
- inflamed or enlarged lymph nodes;
- unexplained fever;
- pain in muscles and joints without exercise;
- snoring or grinding teeth in sleep;
- presence of worms in feces;
- itching in the anal area (often with pinworms).
Helminthosis has two stages: acute and chronic.The first lasts 2-8 weeks from the moment the parasite enters the body.Often during this period there is a clear allergic reaction to helminths.
After about two months, the acute phase turns into a chronic phase, where symptoms depend on the pathogen the person picked up and where they live.
Prevention of worms in humans
As a rule, we learn the basic rules for the prevention of worms in humans in childhood, but sometimes we do not follow them:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap before eating, after using the toilet, and after going outside.
- Vegetables, fruits, greens should be washed, and after washing, boiling water should be poured over them.
- Meat, fish and seafood require long-term heat treatment.
- You should use only high quality, safe water in your daily life.
- Each family member should have personal hygiene items and utensils.
- The house should be kept clean and wet cleaning should be done regularly.
- Pets should be taken regularly for preventive anthelmintic therapy.