Parasitic diseases are widespread among the population, many people meet them at least once in their lives, it is almost impossible to fully insure against their occurrence. However, many of them lead to other, more serious diseases. Parasites are capable of causing disorders in the work of various organs, often begin to treat the consequences of parasitic infection, the main problem is clarified much later.
Parasites can attack any organ system, can be in the intestines, liver, live on the skin, some can even reach the brain. The main thing is to identify the lesion at an early stage, when it does not affect several organs and does not become extensive, then it will be much easier to get rid of parasites.
Types of parasites
There are many parasites that infect various organs. These are not just worms that mostly live in the gut and other worms. Parasites in the human body can be of other types. They can all be divided into several groups:
- worms (roundworms, worms, earthworms, echinococci and others);
- protozoan parasites (lamblia, intestinal trichomonas, chlamydia, toxoplasma);
- fungal parasites (candida);
- bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus aureus);
- viruses (influenza, herpes, smallpox, rotavirus and others).
However, worms are most commonly associated with the word "parasites". Their manifestations and treatment tactics are usually very similar.
Symptoms
The symptoms of parasite infection are often reminiscent of other diseases, so when they are detected, it is important to make a comprehensive diagnosis that will show whether the person is sick with the parasite or worth looking for another cause. The main symptoms of parasitic diseases are as follows:
- Diarrhea. It comes from waste products of certain types of parasites.
- Prison. Some worms, as they grow up, block the passage of the intestines, which can even cause intestinal obstruction. Parasites can also cause jaundice by blocking the bile ducts.
- Constant bloating. Gas production often occurs when it is infected with worms.
- Pain in muscles and joints. Similar to arthritis pain. They develop during the migration of parasites in the body.
- Allergic reactions. Parasites are strong irritants, and they and their waste products can cause allergies. In addition, they damage the intestinal tissue, which forces the immune system to work more actively and responds to this irritation with allergic reactions.
- Various skin lesions - rash, acne, dermatitis and other skin diseases. Papillomas are also a sign of a parasitic infection.
- Iron deficiency anemia.
Weight jumps can also be a symptom. A person can lose weight dramatically or gain weight. Weight loss may be due to lack of appetite, indigestion. A sudden increase in weight is usually associated with a drop in blood sugar levels, and the patient begins to feel constant hunger.
Negative symptoms from the nervous system. The activity of the parasite literally poisons the body, which can lead to disorders in the work of the nervous system. These include severe anxiety in general, increased anxiety, and mild depression.
Other things to look out for:
- The gnashing of teeth in me is bruxism. This is a reaction of the nervous system to the presence of irritants in the body.
- Sleep disorders. Sometimes it appears due to itching in the anal area at night, it is a sure sign of worms. Dysbacteriosis.
- Chronic fatigue, general malaise.
- Immune disorders, increased morbidity, frequent colds.
- Diseases of the respiratory tract. Parasites can reach the respiratory tract and cause coughing, pneumonia, and even asthma attacks.
Important! If similar symptoms are present, you should be tested for a parasitic infection.
More about the manifestations of parasitic diseases
People react to foreign bodies in different ways. In certain forms of helminthiasis, the symptoms of the presence of parasites in the body of an adult become noticeable several years after the colonization of the organ. In young patients, the first manifestations are often noticeable in the initial phase of the disease.
How to recognize worms in children?
The spread of helminths in these patients is much higher. As a result, the following signs of parasites appear:
- Weakness
- Sleep quality is deteriorating
- Loss of appetite, usually accompanied by slowing of physical development
- Unreasonable aggression, nervousness and irritability appear
- Stool is disturbed, and in most cases constipation is a consequence of it
- Creaking and itching of the anus are signs of some worms.
What are the abnormalities in recognizing helminths in adults?
The parasitic organism is retained in the mouth, which is facilitated by special enzymes. This is just the first obstacle in the way of helminth larvae and eggs. Further, moving in the human body, helminths enter the digestive tract, where they are exposed to gastric juice and antibodies produced by the body. This means that there is a natural bowel cleansing of parasites, and the spread is slower.
However, over time, the following symptoms appear:
- Changes in central nervous system function: headache, dizziness, worsening of sleep, tendency to irritation, aggression
- Diseases of certain organs develop: pancreatitis, pneumonia, appendicitis, duodenitis, etc.
- Pale skin indicates parasites, sometimes jaundice develops
- Worms can be identified by stool disorders: constipation replaces diarrhea and vice versa
- Flatulence, intestinal peristalsis is disturbed
- Another manifestation is abdominal pain
- Allergic reactions in various forms.
How do worms affect general health?
Weakness is noticed because worms are almost always found in human intestines. In this case, there is a disturbance of the microflora, which affects the absorption of nutrients, which means that the person does not receive enough vitamins and trace elements. As a result, the body weakens and immunity decreases. In such conditions the body becomes susceptible to viruses, bacterial infections. The liver is among the first to suffer.
If a disease of a certain organ (either heart, kidneys, organs of vision, liver) develops, and the classic treatment regimen for such cases does not bring results, it is necessary to assume the development of parasitic diseases in humans. If you try to treat them, the person can recover fairly quickly.
Classification of parasites
All organisms are classified into two main groups:
- Hose
- Extraintestinal.
Representatives of these two species live in humans, but on different parts of the body. For example, intestinal parasites in humans always colonize the digestive organs. Extraintestinal forms of helminths tend to infect tissues: muscles, brain, visual organs, etc. In addition, all external organisms living in the human body are divided into species, taking into account the structure of the body:
- Unicellular (they are the simplest, for example, lamblia)
- Helminths: pinworms, roundworms and the like.
There are several classes of worms:
- Nematodes;
- Trematode;
- Cestode.
The first class includes roundworms, for example, ascaris. The second class is fluffy, fluffy. Cestodes are called flat helminths, including tapeworms.
Reasons
The main causes of parasitic diseases are careless contact with sick people and neglect of personal hygiene rules. Children who spend a lot of time playing outside are often infected, especially the little ones who exercise in the sandbox.
So, people who do not wash their hands after the street and after meals, do not wear protective protection in contact with infected patients and share their personal hygiene products with other people are in danger. Also, there is a risk of infection if meat products, vegetables and fruits are poorly processed.
Diagnostics
It can be difficult to diagnose parasitic diseases, especially in the early stages, their symptoms often reminiscent of other diseases.
The most common tests for parasites are faeces and swabs. These methods will help determine the presence of parasites in the gut and their type, but will not be able to show the presence in other organs.
Currently, there are much more reliable methods for detecting parasitic diseases, they can be more expensive than conventional analyzes, but their accuracy is much higher. First of all, it includes a blood test for parasites - ELISA (enzyme immunoassay). The accuracy of this method is 99%, it helps to determine not only the presence of parasites, but also the dynamics of the lesion and the number wherever foreign organisms exist.
In addition to blood tests, there are other methods, for example:
- ultrasound and radiography;
- computed tomography;
- endoscopy and endobiopsy;
- RNGA;
- RSK;
- RIF.
The required research is chosen by the doctor, in each case they may be different. A parasitologist deals with parasites, although you should initially contact a doctor who deals with the organ system with which the unpleasant symptoms are associated. For example, if the manifestations of a parasitic disease are related to the digestive system, you should contact a gastroenterologist.
Important! It is impossible to reliably determine the presence of parasites in your body; tests are required.
How to get rid of parasites?
Parasites require complex intervention. Most of them have a long lifespan, and treatment depends on the form in which the parasites are currently present in the body. Other factors need to be considered, for example, diseases that have occurred in the background of a parasitic infection.
Preparations
Parasite drugs are usually available in tablet form, have a wide range of effects, and one drug can work against several types at once. There are many herbal preparations that are milder.
Medications can be administered once or as a course. It all depends on the stage of the parasitic disease, the type of parasite, the presence or absence of some symptoms.
It is worth remembering that medications have a huge number of side effects. Antiparasitic drugs have a strong toxic effect on the body, so they should be taken with caution. Also, you cannot combine them with other medications.
It is often necessary to cleanse the body after drug therapy, because not all dead parasites come out naturally. Decomposing in the body, they can cause serious toxicosis.
After a course of medication, you should start restoring immunity. Vitamin complexes, diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will help you with this.
Important! You cannot take antiparasitic medications on your own.
Body cleansing at home
Some of the anti-parasite measures can be taken at home, especially for organisms that infect the gut. You can clean the intestines at home, but it is worth remembering that not all products are equally good, some, for example, cleaning with soda, can be dangerous to health.
Monastic tea
Monastery tea is often recommended against parasites. This drink contains many useful medicinal herbs: sage, yarrow, oak bark, mint and many others. It is believed to help fight parasitic diseases.
The course of treatment with monastery tea lasts for three weeks and no more than a glass of drink is needed per day. Taking such tea will increase immunity and help the body cope with parasites, however, it is not suitable as an independent drug, it is better to combine it with conservative treatment and then use it for prevention.
Another name for monastery tea is his, sometimes it can be found like this.
Tansy: How to take
The following recipe helps with worms and ascaris. You need to take one tablespoon of dried flowers and pour one glass of hot water. Insist for four hours, then strain. You should take this infusion four times a day, one tablespoon before meals.
Bitter wormwood
Wormwood is another medicinal plant that helps fight parasites. This plant is effective for children and adults, the only negative is the unpleasant taste.
To comfortably take wormwood against worms, put the crushed plant in gelatin capsules. For a child you do not need more than a quarter of a teaspoon, for an adult - one second. On the first day of reception, one portion is needed, and then one portion is added every day. So on the eighth day there should be seven meals. Next, seven capsules by the end of the second week of admission.
You can also make wormwood-based enemas.
Birch tar
Birch tar is a natural antiseptic that helps fight worms and other internal parasites. For a teaspoon of honey take one drop of tar, take this mixture before bed for twelve days. This method has almost no contraindications, tar with honey can be used for children.
Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds help with parasites. There are several recipes for taking them for medicinal purposes. You can simply eat two tablespoons of pumpkin seeds every morning before meals, then wait about an hour and empty your bowels. This method works well against tapeworm.
Against worms it is advisable to take one cup of ground fried seeds, mix with a glass of honey, add a teaspoon of baking soda. This mixture should be infused for ten days. Take one tablespoon on an empty stomach long before breakfast.
Garlic: How to take
Garlic has disinfectant properties, it is believed to harm worms. The most useful and harmless to the body is a honey-white mixture against parasites.
To do this, take 300 grams of garlic juice and mix with 500 grams of honey. Cook this mixture over low heat in a water bath for half an hour, stirring occasionally and removing the resulting foam. Cool the resulting mixture, transfer to a glass jar, store in a cool, dark place. For worms, take one tablespoon about 3-4 times a day, only before meals.
Flax and cloves
Based on flax seeds and cloves, you can make some kind of spice that has an antiparasitic effect.
Grind flaxseed and cloves in a coffee grinder in the same ratio. Such a drug can be added to food during cooking, the main thing is not to eat more than 25 grams of the drug per day. Sometimes you should take breaks. This medicine helps with all types of parasites.
Important! It is worth remembering that many medicinal plants can cause allergies. If you develop individual intolerance, it should be rejected.
How to treat parasites
If symptoms indicating the presence of parasites in the intestines or other organs are found, treatment can be carried out with folk remedies. They allow you to get rid of worms quickly and prevent the development of serious complications.
Popular recipes
Unconventional treatment involves the use of natural ingredients. they are usually made into decoctions or infusions. Such means allow you to expel worms and completely clean the internal organs. You can choose your own therapy regimen for each patient. The most popular recipes are:
- Coriander seeds - heat in a pan without oil, crush and consume up to three times a day.
- Watermelon seeds - chop and mix with milk. Drink two glasses a day.
- Fox mushrooms - have a negative effect on most parasites, but after heat treatment these properties disappear. Therefore, a tincture is made from mushrooms: grind the product, pour vodka and send it to a dark, cool place for fifteen days. Take a spoon before bed.
- Onions - chop to a pulp and pour boiling water, leave for ten hours, use inside.
- Elecampane - cook and cook for five minutes. Insist at night and take on an empty stomach in the morning.
- Celandine - mix with boiling water and send on a water bath for a quarter of an hour. After forty minutes strain and drink up to three times a day.
- Wormwood - chop the grass, pour hot milk, insist and drink the whole portion in the morning.
- Ginger - go through a blender and consume within six days.
- Clove - taken in powder form after meals.
- Pumpkin seeds - contain a poisonous substance that is dangerous to parasites. Raw hulled seeds can be eaten before meals or mixed with warm milk.
Other methods
At home, treatment carried out with the help of folk remedies is supplemented by a series of measures that allow you to quickly get rid of parasites living in the human body. We are talking about enema cleansing. The following are used for their implementation:
- Garlic - can be combined with milk or herbal infusions.
- Baking soda - heat water to a temperature of forty-two degrees, add powder and mix well. Soda can be added to three liters of warm water.
Wormwood and tansy work well on enemas. The herbs are mixed, poured over with hot water and boiled. Cool the soup, add a clove of garlic, leave for three hours and strain. The procedure should be done before bedtime. Another option is pumpkin oil. Various recipes can be used for an adult. The main thing is to choose a drug suitable for the removal of certain types of helminths.
Anti-helminth laundry soap
One of the options for treating parasites in the body is by using ordinary laundry soap. It is used for washing hands after walking, going to the toilet, etc. The soap solution kills all germs on the skin and prevents them from entering the body. In the morning and after each act of defecation, it is recommended to wash the anus with soap to wash the edge - it destroys both parasites and their eggs. With the help of the product, you can wash razors, cloths, combs.
It is difficult to clean the body of uninvited guests, but it is quite possible. If you opt for non-traditional means, you have to show patience and perseverance, because they do not give immediate results. Sometimes the course lasts several weeks. In addition, in order to achieve the desired results, all recipes must be applied correctly and regularly.
How infection occurs
It is not in vain that many people do not like to touch the handles and pets on the street, because it is the fastest way to catch parasites. Infection usually occurs:
- Handling;
- Household articles;
- Door handles;
- Animal fur;
- Clothing, household items;
- Patient bedding.
Sometimes it is impossible to rule out all the factors, because a child can get an infection in kindergarten or school, just like adults on public transport and elsewhere.
Even lovers of raw steaks and rolls can, in addition to the delicacy, pick up parasites that live in raw products that have undergone insufficient heat treatment.
Sometimes the symptoms of the parasite are found in the body many years later, and a man does not even remember in what period he ate unwashed fruit or petted a cat.
The main thing is prevention
This does not mean that you need to be constantly tested, but it does mean that you need to deal with prevention:
- Wash your hands more often with soap and water;
- Use antibacterial wipes;
- Do not touch animals on the street;
- Do not eat unwashed vegetables and fruits, not fried fish and meat.
Those who have small children should be especially careful, because they are carriers of various parasites that can be picked up in the sandbox, on fences or in other places.
If the child attends kindergarten, then a container for sowing and delivery of feces are mandatory, so it is not difficult to recognize the disease.
Adults have problems with this. Rarely does a doctor ask you to take feces for analysis, and that is on helminths.
This should be taken care of by the patient himself, especially those who like exotic cuisine and extreme relaxation.
If there are parasites, the symptoms may be different, but where are these or those more common?
How to prevent infection?
First you need to understand how to determine the presence of parasites in the body. If suspicion is confirmed, treatment is prescribed. You must follow simple rules so that the situation does not happen again:
- Parasites in the stomach and other organs of the gastrointestinal tract end up with dirty hands. That means you have to follow them often.
- Change of bed linen, beds.
- Room cleaning.
- Cleaning products, pay special attention to vegetables, fruits. Meat and fish must be processed.
- To prevent signs of the presence of various parasites in the human body, clothing and underwear must be subjected to high temperature treatment. After washing, things are ironed.
- Water is filtered, boiled.
So, if the question is asked how to check for the presence of worms, an examination is performed to diagnose helminthiasis. It is also possible to identify worms by external examination, observing the symptoms. The treatment is carried out in a comprehensive manner, but before that the body is cleansed.