Various microscopic cohabitants live in the body of an adult. Most of them are beneficial and are our symbionts. These include around 500 species of bacteria that live mainly in the gut. However, many life forms, entering the human body, begin to parasitize and poison the health of the host.
One type of unwanted neighbors are worms. They are parasitic worms that infect the intestines, liver, lungs and, in rare cases, muscles. All types of parasitic worms are united under the name of helminths, and the infection with them is helminthiasis.
To answer the question of how to treat worms, it is necessary to understand how they enter the human body. There are main ways of infection:
- Through the soil when infected with worms that spend part of their life cycle on land. Their eggs or larvae in the process of development fall on fruits and vegetables, which are then eaten. Infected by helminths through the soil, animals subsequently transfer them to people.
- By contact with an infected person. The larvae can be spread through sheets, towels, and other items used by an infected patient. According to statistics, helminths are present in the body of 60% of the population, migrants of Asian origin are a special risk group.
- Eating contaminated meat or fish. Eggs and worm larvae are destroyed by prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
- Sometimes insect bites can be the cause of the infection.
Once in the human body, the worms actively multiply and release toxic waste products. Their accumulation and increase in number increases the symptoms of malaise. To get rid of the parasite, you need to consult a doctor and undergo a course of treatment.
Signs of worm infection in an adult
The presence of a parasite in the organs can be determined by external signs. These include skin manifestations that significantly worsen your condition and cause itching. For example, inflammation, acne, cracked heels, nail layering.
Worm infection has symptoms similar to other diseases. Strengthening of various manifestations depends on the location of the helminth. In addition to rashes, intestinal disorders are characteristic:
- unstable stool;
- specific odor from the mouth, increased gas formation;
- nausea;
- itching in the anus;
- weight loss with a parallel increase in appetite.
Parasitic toxins also affect the nervous system, causing headaches and irritability. With a significant increase in the number of helminth individuals, memory problems and depression can appear. The immune system is not restored due to a lack of vitamins and important elements. A person is constantly sick under the influence of viruses and bacteria. If the respiratory system is affected, coughing and choking attacks can occur.
If you find these symptoms, you should see a doctor. A specialist, using the test results and a thorough examination, will determine the shape of the parasite and prescribe medications.
Types of helminths that parasitize in the human body
Treatment of the disease is prescribed depending on the type of parasite that has settled in the internal organs. Various worms affect certain tissues and cause specific symptoms.
The main forms of infection with parasitic worms are distinguished:
- Enterobiasis is formed under the influence of pinworms. Small round organisms are located in the intestine and cause severe itching on the skin of the anus.
- Trichinella penetrates the muscles through the blood vessel system. Symptoms appear suddenly and unexpectedly in the form of fever, fever, swelling of the eyelids and face.
- Vlasoglavy belongs to the nematodes and affects the large intestine. Signs of the disease are mild or absent. There may be dizziness, abdominal pain, inflammation of the appendix.
- The defeat of different types of tapeworms. These include bovine tapeworm, broad tapeworm, pork tapeworm. Parasites live in the intestine, differ in a ribbon-like body, divided into many small parts. Symptoms are characterized by dizziness, abdominal pain, stool disorders.
These forms of invasion are often caused by non-compliance with personal hygiene, the consumption of poorly fried meat. Pets are also a source of the parasite's spread.
If the patient indicates symptoms of worm infestation, the doctor confirms the diagnosis with the help of laboratory tests. Most often, the feces are examined for helminth eggs and an enzyme immunoassay is performed. In addition, scrapings from the anus, endoscopy and ultrasound can be studied.
Drugs required for the treatment of worms
If helminths are found in the human body, the doctor prescribes drugs. To get rid of the disease, many turn to traditional medicine. It is possible to use a combination treatment, but its effectiveness will be monitored by a specialist.
The presence of worms in the internal organs is not a dangerous diagnosis if the disease is identified in time and a course of drugs is prescribed. Their impact will be aimed at the destruction of the parasite that poisons the body of the infected. After the removal of helminths and their metabolic products, human health is restored.
Due to the need to suppress the parasite, the composition of medicines will contain components that affect their ability to absorb nutrients. Lack of nutrition and conditions for reproduction will lead to the death of worms.
Drugs according to the type of effect on worms are divided into the following types:
- Active components block the nervous and muscular systems of worms. They develop paralysis, cannot attach to the walls of the intestine and are excreted from the body.
- The drug interferes with the glucose oxidation processes in the body of the parasite, causing its death.
- Drugs that block cellular tubulin formation and ATP synthesis.
- Medicines that affect the intestinal system of the helminth.
- Components that destroy the shell of worms. They are exposed to calcium and digested by the human intestinal system.
There are drugs of wide influence and aimed at a certain type of helminth. The choice of drug is made by the doctor on the basis of the tests, the severity of symptoms and the method of treatment. In addition, the presence of possible contraindications to the use of the drug is taken into account.
In addition, funds are prescribed that eliminate the manifestation of allergic reactions to parasite toxins. Taking these tablets reduces the level of poisoning with the waste products of worms and relieves the symptoms of the disease. Auxiliary components are used individually for the complex course of helminthiasis.
Atypical methods of treatment of helminthiasis
The use of medicines is especially effective in the fight against worms. The only drawback of drugs are their contraindications. For such situations, non-drug treatment is used:
- Ayurveda;
- exposure to oxygen;
- alcohol treatment.
The system of Indian Ayurveda medicine increases the overall tone of the body, restores vitality and helps in the fight against helminths. According to this teaching, the cause of worm infection is the non-observance of personal hygiene and purity of thoughts. Special exercises are used to help maintain health and laxative decoctions. Herbs combined with hot spices cleanse the body of toxins. Successfully used thyme, wormwood, St. John's wort with a break in the course for a week.
The essence of oxygen treatment is to saturate the cells of the gastrointestinal tract with the appropriate gas. To do this, a tube is inserted into the esophagus and oxygen is pumped through it. The procedure is repeated for several days. Ozone therapy is also used to kill worms. The tube with this method is inserted into the anus. Through it, a mixture of ozone and oxygen is supplied, which paralyzes the helminths. Olive oil and ozone enemas are sometimes used.
Alcoholic beverages are used as a component in the treatment. Cognac and tea are mixed in equal quantities and then drunk on an empty stomach with a laxative. Cognac is used as an independent medicine, one tablespoon for five days. Destroys helminth vodka infusion with garlic for 10 days.
Methods of traditional medicine in the treatment of worms
The variety of folk remedies allows you to choose the best for each case of infection. Natural components that affect parasites include the following:
- Pumpkin and flax seeds combined with laxative decoctions.
- Infusions of wormwood, pomegranate.
- Phytoncides of garlic and onions.
- Ginger root with sugar.
- Dried clove seeds, ground in a coffee grinder.
- Enemas with castor oil and baking soda.
The choice of recipe depends on what types of helminths live in the body. Based on the test results, the parasitologist will select the optimal combination of different treatment methods.
Ways to protect yourself from worm infection
Maintaining health is possible in compliance with the rules of personal hygiene in all situations. Wash your hands with soap and water after visiting public places and traveling by public transport. It is necessary to monitor the cleanliness of underwear and prevent the accumulation of dirt under the nails.
Pets should be dewormed every six months. After contact with stray dogs and cats, it is important to clean the surface of the hands with antibacterial soap.
Vegetables, fruits and aromatic herbs must be consumed carefully washed. Meat and fish must be treated at a high temperature for at least 40 minutes.
Compliance with these recommendations will help avoid infection and subsequent treatment.