Treatment of parasitic diseases is an urgent problem for the population of countries with hot and humid climates. According to the World Health Organization, 25% of the world's population is susceptible to helminthic infestations. Parasites can remain in the body of the host for a long time (more than a few years), without releasing their presence and gradually destroying the internal organs. Most helminthiases are accompanied by allergic reactions and suppression of immune defenses, leading to serious illness and even death.
What are worms
Helminths (worms) - a general name for parasitic worms, the owner of which is a human or animal. There are currently more than 250 species of helminths on the planet (about 90 of them live in the CIS). Worms in the human body can reach several meters in length, but most are 20-40 cm in size. Helminths can live in almost all organs of the human body, feed on the internal resources of the host, weaken it and cause its development. from diseases.
The peculiarity of helminths is that their full life cycle cannot take place in the host's body - non-specific conditions for the human body are needed for the eggs to mature. The long-term presence of worms is associated with re-infection (ingestion of mature eggs in the mouth and then in the stomach and intestines). Once the helminth eggs enter the human body, the larvae emerge and begin to move in the body. Most helminths "live" in the intestines, but some types of worms can migrate to other organs (lungs, liver, heart, brain, eyes) through the bloodstream.
In the process of infection and further development in adults, worms in the human body have the following pathological effects:
- mechanical violation of the integrity of the intestinal wall;
- exposure of helminths to toxic waste products;
- absorption of nutrients necessary for humans by the parasite;
- closure of the hepatic ducts, intestinal lumen with lumps of worms (rare with lesions of large helminths).
Helminthiasis is a group of diseases caused by helminthic invasions. Children are more susceptible to such pathologies because their immunity is not yet fully formed and, in addition, they are unable to deal with personal hygiene on their own. In addition to children, it is possible to infect adult family members, which contributes to its further spread.
The specific symptoms of helminthiasis are not typical, because the clinical picture of infection with worms is similar to the symptoms of pathologies of the gallbladder, liver, gastrointestinal tract, so laboratory tests are needed to make an accurate diagnosis. In addition, asymptomatic carriage is often found, the diagnosis is associated with certain difficulties.
Species
Helminths are divided into three major groups according to their morphological features: roundworms, tapeworms and flatworms. Each category is divided into several classes. Helminthiasis is grouped according to the type of worm that causes the disease. Characteristics of helminth species and their pathologies:
- Roundworms (nematodes) are relatively small (2-40 cm) heterosexual helminths, widespread due to their ease of transmission. Infection with nematodes occurs when the eggs of parasites enter the mouth of the host from the feces of the carriers. The most common representatives of helminths are pinworms - they are infected in 90% of cases. Pinworm larvae cause enterobiosis, which is accompanied by severe depletion and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The second most common helminthiasis is a disease caused by the ascarid worm and is called ascaridosis - a pathology in which 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. Although the so-called whipworm is small (3-5 cm), it causes trichocephalus by being toxic to the human body for 5 years. The effects of Trichinella worms lead to the development of trichinosis, a characteristic feature of which is damage to muscle tissue.
- Tapeworms (cestoses) are the largest representatives of helminths (10-15 meters). These are homogeneous parasites, that is. their reproduction is carried out by an individual. A mandatory stage in the life cycle of tapeworms is the development of ungulates in the body. Cestod eggs enter the environment with the feces of host animals. In addition, infection through contaminated meat is possible. For example, insufficient heat treatment of pork causes infection with pork tapeworm, beef - bovine tapeworm. Echinococcosis caused by tapeworms of echinococci, which are intermediate in humans, is a serious parasitic disease. This leads to the formation of cysts in the pathological organs, which can be removed only with the help of surgery.
- Flatworms (trematodes) are small (7-30 mm) and usually affect the liver and bile ducts. Trematoses can lead to the development of hepatitis, cholelithiasis. The main feature of flatworms is the presence of suckers on the surface of the body, which serve to absorb nutrients and blood. Infection with trematodes occurs due to the consumption of poorly cooked or cooked fish and seafood. The main representatives of trematodes are hepatic ganglia and schistosomes; The first cause is opisthorchiasis, the second - schistosomiasis.
Protozoal infections caused by the simplest single-celled microorganisms occupy a special place among parasitic invasions. The reproduction of these parasites occurs by division, so their number is growing rapidly. The most common type of single-celled parasite in our region is lamblia, which exists in two forms - vegetation and cyst (spore). According to statistics, every third child suffers from giardiasis, because the infection occurs only when 2-10 lamblia cysts enter the intestine.
Reasons
Infection with helminthic and protozoal invasions is carried out orally - adult eggs or spores from the feces of infected animals enter the mouth and intestines of the host. Science knows four main ways of infection:
- Contact - occurs when a person comes in contact with an infected carrier (animals, birds, another person), causing the development of contact helminthiasis.
- Infection through soil and water containing eggs or cysts that cause the disease causes geohelminthiasis.
- Infection that occurs when eating raw or undercooked meat and fish can lead to the development of biohelminthiasis.
- A small percentage of infections are caused by insect bites.
How to treat human worms
The symptoms of lesions caused by different helminths are usually similar. The most noticeable and common symptoms are sudden weight loss, weakness, pale skin, itching in the anus. At the same time, some symptoms can still help to diagnose - for example, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, the nervous system signals the presence of bovine tapeworm in the body, allergic reactions and skin rashes - lashes, etc. How to remove worms from a person, what methods and drugs are available for this - a doctor of infectious diseases deals with these issues.
Determining the correct diagnosis is based on the exact establishment of the pathogenic helminth species. This may require laboratory tests (urine, blood, feces, bile) and other diagnostic measures (ultrasound, fluorography). It is necessary to begin to eliminate parasites immediately - the more helminths in the body, the harder it is to get rid of the consequences of subsequent defeat. The doctor 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 following a healthy diet and preventing new infections. In the past, only folk remedies were used to control parasites, but now they are used as additional measures to control helminths, as many synthetic anthelmintic drugs have appeared on the pharmaceutical market.
In the modern pharmaceutical industry, there are about 20 drugs to eliminate worms in humans. Among them are narrow and broad-spectrum drugs:
| Type of drug | Tips |
| Anti-nematodic (aims to eliminate roundworms). | Enterobiosis, ascariasis, trichocephalus, trichinosis, strontyloidosis, hookworm disease |
| Anti-trematode (aims to eliminate flatworms) | Schistosomiasis, fascioliasis, opisthorchiasis, clonorchiasis |
| Protivocestodnoy (aims to eliminate tap worms) | Echinococcosis, diphyllobothriasis, teniasis, teniarinchiasis, diphyllobothriasis |
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 course after 2-3 weeks to rule out re-infection. In addition, experts recommend taking enemas in the evening or taking laxatives after taking pills in the morning when treating some types of helminthiasis.
Among the traditional medicines, the most effective are raw pumpkin seeds, garlic, tansy. The mechanism of action of most drugs and non-traditional drugs to kill worms is to disrupt the nervous and muscular system of helminths, suppress metabolism (due to inhibition of fumarate reductase) and destroy the integumentary tissues of worms.
During treatment, the patient may develop symptoms of intoxication: intestinal disorders, headache, vomiting, allergic reactions, abdominal pain. In humans, treatment of worms with antiparasitic drugs should be carried out only as prescribed by a physician and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions to prevent complications and side effects.
Tablets
To remove worms, all medications should be taken with a glass of liquid (water, milk). Comparative features of some tablets for worms. The use of all drugs during pregnancy and lactation is prohibited:
| The active ingredient of the drug | Action | Tips | Method of application (for adults) | Side effects | Contraindications |
| Pirantel | Nerve terminals blocked in worm muscles | Enterobiasis, ascariasis, noncathorosis, hookworm | Up to 75 kg - 15 ml of syrup at a time, 75 kg and more - 20 ml | Dizziness, digestive disorders, skin rashes | Liver failure, up to 6 months |
| Carbendazim | Paralysis of parasitic muscles | Ascariasis, strontyloidosis, trichocephalus, noncatorosis | It depends on the type of parasite | Nausea, weakness, allergic reactions | Component sensitivity |
| Pyrvinia ship | Disorders of worm metabolism | Enterobiasis | 5 mg / kg body weight once in the morning after breakfast | Headache, nausea, diarrhea, allergic reactions | Liver failure, up to 3 months |
In order to successfully fight parasites, it is important to carefully follow the rules of personal hygiene and strictly follow the course of treatment prescribed by your doctor. In addition to the use of antihelmintic drugs, it is recommended to pay attention to the removal of toxins from the body and the restoration of organ function, strengthening the immune system. Folk recipes (infusions, teas), as well as industrial vitamin and mineral complexes are widely used for this purpose.
Folk remedies
The use of traditional medical prescriptions is highly effective in eliminating parasites. For this purpose, decoctions, tinctures, solutions for enemas from the following natural substances are used:
- garlic;
- pumpkin seeds;
- walnut;
- onion;
- herbs: dandelion, tansy, wormwood, burdock, nettle;
- oils: hemp, cedar, flax seed, sea buckthorn.
How to remove worms at home
Some types of helminthiasis are successfully treated at home without hospitalization, but if large worms are infected, supportive care may be required in the hospital setting. Removal of worms at home involves both drug treatment and the use of alternative medicine. Any remedy is taken only as prescribed by a doctor, self-medication is prohibited.
Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are considered to be the most popular folk remedy for eliminating worms due to their negative effect on worms and the absence of side effects. The anthelmintic properties of this product are due to the fact that they contain cucurbitin, which is poisonous to most worms. Pumpkin seeds with peel should be consumed for adults no more than 300 g per day. Here are some popular recipes:
- Wash and dry the seeds, chop in a blender, add honey. The mixture should be consumed on an empty stomach, after 4 hours it is necessary to take a laxative.
- During the day you need to eat 100 g of seeds (divided into 4 portions), after each reception, an hour later to drink a teaspoon of castor oil, the course is 3-4 days.
garlic
Garlic remedies are believed to be effective against roundworms, pinworms and some types of tapeworms. In addition, garlic has immunostimulatory properties and does not cause serious side effects. Here are some recipes for garlic medicine:
- Chop 2 lemons and 10 garlic cloves in a meat grinder, mix and place in the refrigerator. Take 1 tablespoon of the product three times a day.
- Pour 200 ml of warm water over a few chopped garlic and leave overnight. Garlic juice should be taken every morning on an empty stomach 200 ml for a week.
Troychetka
This product contains powders of several plants in different combinations. These drugs not only help in the fight against common helminthic infestations, but also help to normalize the function of the gastrointestinal tract:
- Mix tansy, cloves and wormwood in a 4: 2: 1 ratio. Take a mixture of 1 teaspoon of water a day before meals, eat 2 tablespoons on the second day, all subsequent days - 3. The course of treatment is 14 days.
- Mix calendula, dried calamus and cumin seeds in a 2: 1: 1 ratio. Take the mixture in a similar way.
Enemas from worms
Enemas based on toxins for parasites have been widely used to kill worms. Such procedures are effective only in intestinal helminthiasis. Here are some popular recipes:
- Pour 2-3 cloves of chopped garlic with a glass of milk, bring to a boil and cool. Use enema solution for 2 weeks. Garlic enemas should not be given to children under 3 years of age.
- ½ Pour a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water, bring to a boil, cool. Put soda enema for 30 minutes. The course of treatment is 7 days.
- 1 tablespoon chopped tansy flowers pour 500 ml boiling water, boil for 15 minutes, then leave for 4 hours. The course of treatment is 5-7 days.