Intestinal worms can appear in different ways in humans. The most common route of infection is contact with an infected animal or consumption of poorly processed food. No one is immune to infection. Worm invasion (damage to the body with tapeworms, round and flat worms) leads to poor health, and in some cases - and serious complications. It is necessary to fight the problem.
Modern drugs allow you to remove worms from the small intestine and stop the negative effects on the gastrointestinal tract in the large intestine. It is important to know how you can try to protect yourself from infection.
Causes of helminthic invasion
The substances that cause heat are worms that live in the intestines and can be of different types. They enter the body and over time there are more intestinal parasites. These organisms take root in the human body, multiply, and feed on substances that enter the body. Because of its guilt, a person can get less important nutrients: proteins, fats and carbohydrates, trace elements, vitamins. During the invasion, pathogens pass from the larval stage to full-fledged worms and seriously affect the condition of the body. Parasites live in the human gut for a long time and do not disappear without therapy.
You can infect worms in the following ways:
- Through food.Worms are often found on the surface of unwashed vegetables and fruits. Some species of parasites (cattle and pork worms) put larvae in the meat. If not fried, the larvae will enter the human body and begin to grow there.
- Contact-home path.A person who touches door handles in public places, handles and other elements without observing hygiene skills runs the risk of occupying himself. The contact method involves infecting an infected person by shaking hands, and the home method involves infecting from dirty dishes or other household items.
- Through pets.Some types of parasites in the rectum use quadrangular friends as intermediate mothers. Larvae come into contact with a pet. This can happen with an unexpected "kiss" while hugging. A dog can pick up roundworm eggs from the soil outside and bring them to their paws.
Symptoms and causes of intestinal parasites can be different. Improper hygiene is not the main reason for the onset of infection. With proper personal care, regular hand washing, and fresh food, the risk of infection is dramatically reduced.
Worm species
What parasites live in the intestines? The body is infected not by one or two, but by several different types of worms. They can also be together in the gut, but worms are found separately in most people.
The main classification of worms is according to their appearance. The parasites are in the gut, the symptoms are similar.
Important!Only a doctor can determine which worm affects the gastrointestinal tract. You can not try to diagnose the disease yourself.
There are three main types of worms:
- lent;
- straight;
- is round.
The tapeworms in the gut are distinguished by a segmented body and a semi-flat shape, hence the name helminths (see picture). Round parasites in the human gut appear to be closest to a standard earthworm. They are transparent with a white or colorless hull with a shiny main vessel. Flatworms are generally oval in shape, sometimes divided into light segments. The length of each species can be from 10 mm to 10 meters. There are many different small parasites in the small intestine.
Experts identify more than 10 types of helminthic infestations based on various pathogens. The most common type is ascariasis, ie infection with roundworms with characteristic abdominal pain and intoxication of 15-40 cm in length. But there are other options:
- Trichocephalus.It's an impressive tool. Vlasoglav is one of the most versatile worms. Protects and penetrates the large and small intestines. The main symptoms are dizziness, vomiting, nausea and other signs of worms and intoxication. Parasites living in the small intestine are easily eliminated by medicine.
- Teniarinhoz.This is the development of the tapeworm in the human body. The worm is infected with meat products and large domestic animals. The result is persistent intoxication of the body and pain in the abdomen.
- Metagonimosis.It is one of the most dangerous forms of parasites in the human gut that needs to be eliminated immediately. This is due to flukes that can cause intestinal inflammation. Infection occurs through untreated fish.
- Trichinellosis.The most severe form of death in the absence of long-term therapy. The causative agent Trichinella can penetrate from the intestines to the internal organs and seriously impair their function. Due to the increased activity of the parasite, pain is felt not only in the abdomen, but also in the muscles. As an allergic reaction, conjunctivitis begins.
There are more than a dozen worm variations and groups of diseases they cause - 10. It is even difficult for specialists to distinguish between each other, so you should not diagnose yourself. This will only lead to inappropriate treatment and an increase in adverse symptoms. Only a highly qualified doctor working with special equipment can correctly identify the type of helminth, because intestinal parasites show similar symptoms (it is difficult to distinguish between teniarchosis and trichocephalus).
Consequences of helminthic invasion
Various complications are possible without long-term treatment. The kidneys, bile ducts and some internal organs are affected. The heart and brain are at risk if symptoms with dangerous parasites in the intestines are not noticed in time.
Attention!If you suspect a serious helminthic infestation with damage to internal organs, contact a specialist immediately. The parasite can be fatal at any time if care is not taken. Symptoms and treatment should be monitored by a physician.
The main complication of advanced helminthic infestation is withdrawal symptoms. This is a state of persistent poisoning. The patient feels weak, unable to be active, suffers from vomiting and dizziness. Such symptoms will disappear only when the parasite is completely eliminated from the body.
Other findings of infection have been identified during the study:
- The skin becomes significantly thinner, covered with viral growths (papillomas), acquires an unhealthy shade;
- Due to a developing vitamin deficiency, hair and nails become thinner and breaker, and bones become more sensitive;
- man feels constant sleep;
- As a result of changes in the nervous system, an infected person may become more aggressive;
- In severe cases, the occupation is fatal.
The problem is that if it is ignored for several years, the probability of death is high. During this time, the helminths find time to grow to a significant size and begin to actively eat the nutrients, completely alienating them from humans.
Symptoms of overheating
Helminthic invasion manifests itself in the early stages of development. The longer the parasite develops, the more obvious the symptoms of the worm in humans.
There are a number of non-specific features that do not distinguish the invasion of other diseases. There are many signs of intestinal parasites. The most common are:
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- feeling tired;
- dizziness;
- loss of consciousness;
- gastrointestinal diseases;
- rectal inflammation;
- constipation.
A specific symptom that is rare in other conditions is abdominal pain. It immediately "walks" through the intestines when stabbing in several places. The reason is the movement and activity of parasites. Intestinal parasites show signs of poisoning or intoxication, which makes it difficult to diagnose the disease.
Diagnosis of the disease
The disease must first be distinguished from similar gastrointestinal problems. It is necessary to distinguish between ordinary poisoning, infection, appendicitis. The difference is based on anamnestic data. It is recommended to undergo an additional test for the type of worm to obtain more accurate results.
How do I know if there are parasites? Using fecal analysis, you can find the exact type of parasite. Parasites living in the human large intestine secrete eggs that are excreted in the feces. Specialists find helminth eggs and determine which type of parasite they belong to. According to the information received, treatment is being carried out.
Tip:Consult a specialist with a ready-made stool analysis and order a check at a paid medical center to maximize the speed of the procedure. This will allow you to learn your diagnosis as soon as possible and find out if there are worms.
At the time of diagnosis, an anamnesis is taken, irrigoscopy is performed and palpation of the abdomen is performed. Second, it allows to assess the degree of damage to the body. In case of serious deviations, one person may be sent for additional examinations. There they will learn how dangerous the damage to internal organs is and whether it is at all. After that, therapy is prescribed, the main function of which is to clean the intestines at home. You can also make a diagnosis with a colonoscopy of the abdomen.
Therapy course
How to clean parasites? You need to clean your bowels at home. The infection is treated by killing parasites. Special preparations for parasites are used to combat them.
The choice of drugs against intestinal parasites should be based on the type of worm. Most drugs are complex tablets, which allow you to fight both ascaris and flatworms, tapeworms. Medications work in slightly different ways.
Conditions for getting rid of worms
A course of medication usually takes only one or two days for the body to fully recover. Most antihelminthic drugs are enough to use once, the maximum - twice.
However, this rule applies only to specialized drugs, after which the symptoms of worms in an adult disappear almost immediately. Dietary supplements are taken at different intervals.
Dietary supplements are effective when taken for about a month. The optimal course duration is one and a half months. After that, a break of at least two months is given, and if necessary, the drug is taken again after this period.
Both biologically active additives and specialized drugs can be used repeatedly, but be sure to consult a doctor when using them again. Treatment of parasites with folk remedies is not recommended.
Prevention of infection
It is easy to prevent worm infestation with simple hygiene rules. First of all, experts recommend limiting contact with untested animals and improving food hygiene. Any vegetables, fruits, herbs and other products should be washed. They may contain helminth larvae that are invisible to the human eye. During roasting, the meat must be prepared while killing possible parasites.
It is important to follow the rules of personal hygiene:
- The brush used to clean the teeth should be separate for each;
- refers to the same body towels;
- dishes should be washed for yourself or your family after eating;
- can't eat from someone else's dirty bowl;
- Hands should be washed before going outdoors, working with pets, and eating.
Adherence to the basic rules will allow you to forget about the occupation problem forever. As a guarantee of health, prophylactic prescriptions can be adopted. You should consult your doctor before taking an herbal diet supplement that will ensure the body's continued protection.
Intestinal worm cleansing is an extremely important procedure for the patient's health and well-being. People with parasites in their bodies cannot live fully.
It is also useful to cleanse the body for preventive purposes: it also allows you to cleanse toxins using cleansing methods. With timely therapy, helminthic infestation is not dangerous.