The treatment of parasitic diseases is an urgent problem for people in countries with hot and hot climates. According to the World Health Organization, 25% of the world's population is susceptible to helminth infestations. Parasites are able to exist for a long time (over several years) in the host's body, without 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 earthworms
Helminths (worms) - general name for parasitic worms, whose owner is a person or animal. Currently, there are 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 every organ in the human body, feeding on the host's internal resources, weakening it and leading to the development of disease.
The peculiarity of helminths is that their complete life cycle cannot occur in the host's body - unspecific conditions for the human body are necessary for the maturation of eggs. The prolonged presence of worms is due to reinfection (ingestion of mature eggs in the mouth and then in the stomach and intestines). After helminth eggs enter the human body, larvae emerge from them and begin to move around the body. Most helminths "live" in the intestines, but some types of worms are able to migrate with 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 effect:
- mechanical violation of the integrity of the intestinal wall;
- exposure to toxic helminth waste products;
- absorption of useful substances needed by a person by the parasite;
- closure of liver ducts, intestinal lumen with worm lumps (rare with large helminth lesions).
Helminthiases are a group of diseases caused by helminth invasion. Children are more susceptible to these pathologies, as their immunity is not yet fully formed and, in addition, they are unable to take care of personal hygiene on their own. In addition to the child, it is possible to infect adult family members, which contributes to greater dissemination.
In helminthiasis, specific symptoms are not characteristic, as the clinical picture of worm infection is similar to the signs of pathologies of the gallbladder, liver, gastrointestinal tract, therefore, laboratory tests are necessary to establish an accurate diagnosis. Furthermore, the presence of asymptomatic carriers is frequent, whose diagnosis is associated with certain difficulties.
Types
Helminths, based on morphological characteristics, are divided into three major groups: round, ribbon, and flatworms. Each category is subdivided into several classes. Helminthiases are combined into groups based on the type of worm causing the disease. Characteristics of helminth varieties and the pathologies they cause:
- Roundworms (nematodes) are heterosexual helminths of relatively small size (2-40 cm), which are common due to their ease of transmission. Nematode infection occurs when parasite eggs enter the host's mouth through the carrier's feces. The most common representatives of helminths are pinworms - they are infected in 90% of cases. Moth larvae cause enterobiasis, accompanied by severe exhaustion, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The second most common helminthiasis is caused by the ascaris worm and is called ascariasis - this is a condition in which the 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 tricurid, despite its small size (3-5 cm), can have a toxic effect on the human body for 5 years, causing trichocephalosis disease. The influence of the Trichinella worms leads to the development of trichinosis, a characteristic that is damage to muscle tissue.
- Tapeworms (cestoses) are the largest representatives of helminths (10-15 meters). These are parasites of the same sex, that is, their reproduction is carried out by a single individual. A mandatory stage in the life cycle of tapeworms is the development of ungulates in the body. Cestode eggs enter the environment in the feces of host animals. In addition, infection from contaminated meat is possible. For example, insufficient heat treatment of pork leads to infection with pork tapeworm, bovine - with bovine tapeworm. Echinococcosis, caused by echinococcal worms, for which a person is an intermediate host, is considered a serious parasitic disease. This pathology leads to the formation of cysts in the organs, which can only be eliminated with the aid of surgical intervention.
- Flatworms (trematodes) are small (7-30 mm) and usually affect the hepatic and biliary ducts. Trematoses can lead to the development of hepatitis, cholelithiasis. The main characteristic of flatworms is the presence of sprouts on the surface of the body, which serve to absorb nutrients and blood. Trematode infection occurs due to consumption of undercooked or undercooked seafood. The main representatives of trematodes are liver worms and schistosomes; the first causes opisthorchiasis, the second - schistosomiasis.
A separate niche among parasitic invasions is occupied by protozoan infections caused by the simplest single-celled microorganisms. The reproduction of these parasites occurs by division, so their number increases rapidly. The most common type of unicellular parasite in our region is lamblia, it exists in two forms - vegetation and cysts (spores). According to statistics, one in three children suffers from giardiasis, as the infection occurs when only 2-10 lamblia cysts enter the intestine.
causes
Infection with invasions of helminths and protozoa is carried out through the oral-fecal route - mature eggs or spores enter the host's mouth and intestines through the feces of infected animals. Science knows four main forms of infection:
- Contact - performed when a person comes into contact with an infected carrier (animals, birds, another person), leads to the development of contact helminthiasis.
- Infection by soil and water, which contains disease-causing eggs or cysts, causes geohelminthiasis.
- Infection that occurs when eating raw or insufficiently thermally processed meat and fish leads to the development of biohelminthiasis.
- A small percentage of infestations are caused by insect bites.
How to treat human worms
Symptoms of lesions from different helminths are generally 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 with the diagnosis - for example, disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system signal the presence of bovine tapeworm in the body, allergic reactions and rashes - whipworm, etc. How to remove worms from a person, what methods and medications are there for them - these issues are dealt with by an infectious disease doctor.
Determining the correct diagnosis is based on the exact establishment of the type of pathogenic helminths. This may require laboratory tests (urine, blood, feces, bile) and other diagnostic measures (ultrasound, fluorography). It is necessary to start removing the parasites immediately - the longer the helminths remain in the body, the harder it is to shake off the consequences of defeat later on. The physician prescribes treatment based on the patient's weight, sex, 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 anthelmintic drugs, but also by adherence to a diet that improves health and by preventing new infections. Previously, only popular methods were used to remove parasites, whereas now they are used as additional measures to combat helminths, as many synthetic anthelmintics have emerged on the pharmaceutical market.
The modern pharmaceutical industry has about 20 drugs for removing worms in humans. Among them, there are drugs with a broad and narrow spectrum of action:
| type of drug | Indications |
| Anti-nematodic (intended to remove roundworms | Enterobiasis, ascariasis, trichocephalosis, trichinosis, strongyloidosis, ankylostomiasis |
| Anti-trematode (intended to remove annoying worms) | Schistosomiasis, fascioliasis, opistorchiasis, clonorchiasis |
| Protivocestodnoy (intended to remove worms) | Echinococcosis, diphylobotriasis, taeniasis, teniarinchiasis, diphylobotriasis |
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 treatment after 2-3 weeks to rule out reinfection. In addition, specialists advise, in the treatment of some types of helminthiasis, to take an enema at night or to drink a laxative after taking the pills in the morning.
Among the traditional medicines, the most effective are raw pumpkin seeds, garlic, and tansy. The mechanism of action of most drugs and non-traditional medicines for the removal of worms consists of interrupting the functioning of the helminth's neuromuscular system, suppressing the metabolism (due to the inhibition of fumarate reductase) and destroying the integumentary tissues of the worms.
During treatment, the patient may develop signs of intoxication: intestinal disturbances, headache, vomiting, allergic reactions, abdominal pain. The treatment of worms in humans with antiparasitic drugs should only be carried out according to the medical prescription and the manufacturer's instructions, in order to avoid complications and side effects.
tablets
All worm elimination medications should be taken with meals with a glass of liquid (water, milk). Comparative characteristics of some pills for worms. All medications are prohibited from using during pregnancy and lactation:
| The active substance of the drug | Action | Indications | Application method (for adults) | Side effects | Contraindications |
| pyrantel | Blocked nerve endings in worm muscles | Enterobiasis, ascariasis, non-cathorosis, ankylostomiasis | Up to 75 kg - 15 ml of syrup once, 75 kg and more - 20 ml | Dizziness, digestive system disorders, skin rashes | Liver failure, up to 6 months of age |
| Carbendazim | Paralysis of the parasite musculature | Ascariasis, strongyloidiasis, trichocephalosis, non-cathorosis | It depends on the type of parasite | Nausea, weakness, allergic reactions | component sensitivity |
| Pyrvinia emboat | Violation of worm metabolism | enterobiasis | 5 mg / kg of body weight once in the morning after breakfast | Headache, nausea, diarrhea, allergic reactions | Liver failure, up to 3 months of age |
For a successful fight against parasites, it is important to carefully follow the rules of personal hygiene, in order to strictly comply with the course of treatment prescribed by the doctor. In addition to the use of anthelmintic medications, it is recommended to take care of removing toxins from the body and restoring the functioning of the organs, strengthening the immune system. Therefore, popular recipes (infusions, teas) are widely used, as well as industrial complexes of vitamins and minerals.
folk remedies
The use of traditional medicine recipes is highly effective in removing parasites. For that, decoctions, tinctures, solutions for enemas are used from the following natural ingredients:
- garlic;
- pumpkin seeds;
- Nut;
- onion;
- herbs: dandelion, tansy, wormwood, burdock, nettle;
- oils: hemp, cedar, linseed, hawthorn.
How to remove worms at home
Some types of helminthiasis are successfully treated at home without hospitalization in a hospital, but if infected with large types of worms, supportive therapy in a hospital setting may be necessary. Removal of worms at home includes treatment with medications and the use of alternative medicine. Any funds are accepted only as prescribed by a physician, self-medication is prohibited.
pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are considered the most popular folk remedy for worm removal due to their negative effect on worms and the absence of side reactions. The anthelmintic properties of this product are due to the presence in them of the substance cucurbitin, which is a poison for most worms. Pumpkin seeds should be consumed unpeeled at a maximum of 300 g per day for an adult. Several popular recipes:
- Wash and dry the seeds, mash in a blender, add honey. It is necessary to consume the mixture on an empty stomach, after 4 hours, take a laxative.
- During the day, one should eat 100 g of seeds (divided into 4 portions), after each ingestion, 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, heartworms and some types of worms. Furthermore, garlic has immunostimulating properties and does not cause serious side effects. Several recipes for medicines with garlic:
- Grind 2 lemons and 10 heads of garlic in a meat grinder, mix and refrigerate. Take the product 1 tablespoon three times a day.
- Pour 200ml of warm water over a few chopped garlic cloves and 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 powders from various plants in different combinations. These drugs not only help fight common helminthic invasions, but they 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 a day before meals with water, on the second day eat 2 tablespoons, on every subsequent day - 3. O course of treatment is 14 days.
- Mix calendula, dried calamus and caraway seeds in a 2: 1 ratio: 1. Take the mixture in a similar way.
worm enemas
Enemas based on substances toxic to parasites have been widely used to eliminate worms. These procedures are effective only in the case of intestinal helminthiasis. Several popular recipes:
- Pour 2-3 minced garlic cloves with a glass of milk, bring to a boil, let it cool. Use enema solution within 2 weeks. Children under 3 years old should not be given a garlic enema.
- Pour ½ teaspoon of baking soda with a glass of water, bring to a boil and let it cool. It is necessary to put a soda enema for 30 minutes. The course of treatment is 7 days.
- 1 tablespoon of chopped tansy flowers pour 500 ml of hot water, boil for 15 minutes and leave for 4 hours. The course of treatment is 5 to 7 days.