Intestinal worms can occur in humans in a variety of ways. The most common routes of infection are contact with an infected animal or consumption of inadequately processed food. No one is immune to infection. Helminthic invasion (damage to the body by tapeworms, roundworms and flatworms) leads to poor health and in some cases - to serious complications. The problem must be fought.
Modern drugs allow to remove worms from the small intestine, and in the colon to stop their negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract. It is very important to know how you can try to protect yourself from infection.
Causes of helminth infestation
The causes of the invasion are worms living in the intestines, which can be of different species. They invade the body and over time the intestinal parasites become more and more. These organisms take root in the human body, multiply in it, feed on substances entering the body. Through their fault, a person can receive less important nutrients: proteins, fats and carbohydrates, trace elements, vitamins. During the invasion, the pathogens move from the larval stage to full-fledged worms, seriously affecting the condition of the body. The parasites live in the human intestine for a long time and do not disappear without therapy.
You can be infected with worms in the following ways:
- Through food.Worms are often found on the surface of unwashed vegetables and fruits. Some types of parasites (beef and swine tapeworms) leave larvae in the meat. If it is not fried, then the larvae will enter the human body and begin to develop there.
- Manner of contact with the household.By touching door handles in public places, railings and other elements, without observing hygiene skills, a person is exposed to the risk of invasion. The contact method involves getting the disease by shaking hands with an infected person, and the household method is infecting with dirty dishes or other household items.
- Through pets.Some types of parasites in the rectum use four-legged friends as intermediate hosts. The larvae are transmitted by contact with the pet. This can happen with a hug, with an unexpected "kiss". A dog can bring roundworm eggs to its paws by taking them from the soil outside.
In intestinal parasites, the symptoms and causes of the disease can be different. The main reason for the infection is poor hygiene. With proper personal care, regular hand washing and handling of fresh food, the risk of infection is drastically reduced.
Types of worms
What parasites live in the gut? The body is infected with not one or two, but several different types of worms. They can coexist in the gut, but more often worms in humans are found separately.
The main classification of worms is by their appearance. The parasites are intestinal, the symptoms are similar.
Important!Only a doctor can determine what type of worm has affected the gastrointestinal tract. You cannot try to diagnose the disease yourself.
There are three main types of worms:
- tape;
- flat;
- are round.
Tapeworms in the intestine have a segmented body and a semi-flat shape, which is why helminths got their name (see photo). Round parasites in the human gut look closest to a standard worm. They are translucent, with a white or colorless body through which the main vessel is transparent. Flatworms are usually oval in shape, sometimes slightly segmented. The length of each type can be from 10 mm to 10 meters. There are many different parasites in the small intestine, some of which are much smaller.
Experts have identified more than 10 types of helminth infestation that are based on different pathogens. The most common type is ascariasis, ie an infection with roundworms 15 to 40 cm long with characteristic abdominal pain and intoxication. But there are other options:
- Trichocephalus.The cause is a scourge. Vlasoglav is one of the most flexible worms. It penetrates the appendix and the large and small intestines. The main symptoms are dizziness, vomiting, nausea and other signs of worms and intoxication. Parasites that live in the small intestine are easily removed by drugs.
- Teniarinhoz.This is the development of bovine tapeworm in the human body. This worm is transmitted through meat products and large domestic animals. As a result, there is constant intoxication of the body and pain in the abdominal cavity.
- Metagonimosis.One of the most dangerous forms of parasites in the human intestine, requiring urgent removal. It is caused by flukes, which can cause intestinal inflammation. Infection occurs through untreated fish.
- Trichinosis.The most severe form, leading to the death of the patient with prolonged absence of therapy. The causative agent, Trichinella, can enter the internal organs from the intestines and seriously disrupt their function. Due to the increased activity of the parasite, the pain is felt not only in the abdomen but also in the muscles. Conjunctivitis begins as an allergic reaction.
There are more than a dozen variations of worms, and the groups of diseases they cause - 10. It is difficult to distinguish from each other, even for specialists, so you should not diagnose yourself. This will only lead to inappropriate therapy and increase the negative symptoms. Only a highly qualified doctor with special equipment can correctly recognize the type of helminths, as intestinal parasites show symptoms that are similar to each other (teniarchosis and trichocephaly are difficult to distinguish).
Consequences of worm infestation
Various complications are possible in the long absence of treatment. The kidneys, bile ducts and some internal organs are affected. Even the heart and brain are at risk if symptoms are not noticed in time for dangerous parasites in the gut.
Pay attention!If you suspect a serious helminth infestation with damage to internal organs, contact a specialist immediately. The parasite can be fatal at any time if the case is ignored. Symptoms and treatment should be monitored by a physician.
The main complication of advanced helminth infestation is withdrawal symptoms. This is a state of constant poisoning. The patient feels weak, unable to be active, suffers from bouts of vomiting and dizziness. Such signs will disappear only with the complete removal of the parasite from the body.
Other effects of the infection were found during the study:
- the skin becomes significantly thinner, covered with viral growths (papillomas), acquires an unhealthy hue;
- due to the developing lack of vitamins, hair, nails become thinner and break, bones become more fragile;
- the person experiences constant drowsiness;
- due to changes in the nervous system, the infected person may become more aggressive;
- In severe cases, the invasion is fatal.
Death is likely if the problem is ignored for several years. During this time, the helminths have time to grow to a significant size and begin to actively eat nutrients, almost completely depriving them of humans.
Symptoms of the invasion
Helminth infestation manifests itself in the early stages of development. The longer the parasite is in a state of development, the more pronounced the symptoms of worms in humans.
There are a number of non-specific signs that do not distinguish the invasion from other diseases. The symptoms of intestinal parasites are many. The most common are the following:
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- feeling tired;
- dizziness;
- loss of consciousness;
- gastrointestinal disorders;
- rectal inflammation;
- constipation.
A specific symptom that is rare in other conditions is wandering abdominal pain. She "walks" through the intestines, simultaneously stabbing a knife in several places. The reason is the movement and activity of parasites. Parasites in the intestine show symptoms of poisoning or intoxication, which complicates the diagnosis of the disease.
Diagnosis of the disease
The disease, in the first place, must be distinguished from similar gastrointestinal problems. It is necessary to distinguish it from ordinary poisoning, infection, appendicitis. The differentiation is performed on the basis of data obtained from the anamnesis. For more accurate results, it is recommended that you undergo an additional check on the type of worm.
How do I know if there are parasites? You can find the exact type of parasite using stool analysis. Parasites that live in the human colon secrete eggs that are excreted in the feces. In it, specialists find helminth eggs and determine which type of parasite they belong to. Based on the data obtained, treatment is carried out.
Tip:go to a specialist with a stool analysis ready and to maximize the speed of the procedure, order an examination at a paid medical center. This will allow you to find out as early as possible about your diagnosis and find out if there are worms.
At diagnosis, the anamnesis is collected, irigoscopy is performed and the abdominal area is palpated. The latter allows you to assess the degree of damage to the body. In case of serious deviations, a person can be sent for further tests. There they will find out how dangerous the damage to the internal organs is and whether it exists at all. Then therapy is prescribed, the main function of which is bowel cleansing at home. You can also diagnose a colonoscopy of the abdomen.
Course of therapy
How to remove parasites? You need to clean your bowels at home. The infection is treated by killing the parasites. Specialized preparations for parasites are used to combat them.
The choice of drug for parasites in the gut should be based on the type of worm. Most drugs are complex pills, meaning they allow you to fight both roundworms and flatworms and tapeworms. Medicines work a little differently.
Worm Removal Conditions
The course of medication usually requires only one or two days to fully recover the body. Many anthelmintic drugs are sufficient for use once, maximum twice.
But this rule only applies to specialized drugs, after which the symptoms of worms in an adult disappear almost instantly. Nutritional supplements are taken at different intervals.
Nutritional supplements are effective when taken for about a month. The optimal duration of the course is a month and a half. After that, take a break for at least two months, if necessary, after this period the drug is taken again.
Both dietary supplements and specialized drugs can be used repeatedly, but when you use it again, be sure to consult a doctor. Treatment of parasites with folk remedies is not recommended.
Prevent infection
Worm infestation is easy to avoid with simple hygiene practices. First of all, experts recommend limiting contact with untested animals and improving food hygiene. All vegetables, fruits, herbs and other products must be washed. There may be helminth larvae on their surface, invisible to the human eye. When frying, the meat must be brought to a state of readiness, while killing possible parasites.
It is important to follow the basic rules of personal hygiene:
- The toothbrush used to clean the teeth must be separate for each;
- The same goes for body towels;
- After eating, the dishes for you or your household should be washed;
- can't eat from someone's dirty plate;
- Hands should be washed after going outdoors, working with pets and before eating.
Following basic rules will allow you to forget about the problem of invasion forever. Prophylactic formulations can be taken as a guarantee of health. Before buying an herbal food supplement that will provide constant protection to the body, you should consult your doctor.
Cleaning the intestines of worms is an extremely important procedure for the health and well-being of the patient. People who have parasites in their body cannot live fully.
It is also useful to cleanse the body for preventive purposes: it also allows you to remove toxins using cleansing techniques. With timely therapy, helminthic invasion is not dangerous.