Worms in the human body are parasites that are not viable in themselves, they can survive and reproduce exclusively through the host (human or animal). Parasitic diseases are caused either by the worms themselves in humans or by their larvae. The disease spreads in an infectious way, the helminth infestation often goes unnoticed, gradually causing disorders in the body.
First of all, you need to understand what helminths are. This is a general term for worms that parasitize in the human body, in the bodies of animals or even plants. This explanation is also the answer to the question of what worms are. The terms "worm" and "helminth" are synonymous.
The most dangerous helminth infestation is the prolonged asymptomatic form, leading to diseases caused by nutritional deficiencies. Intestinal parasites live by absorbing nutrients from the human body. The helminth infestation can be detected at an advanced stage, after the appearance of other symptoms of the presence of intestinal parasites.
Some larvae of intestinal parasites can reach various body tissues. In this case, inflammatory deposits form because the immune system recognizes the larvae as foreign organisms. Some allergic reactions of the immune system can occur as a result of the presence of helminths in humans.
When worms appear in humans, the symptoms and treatment of the invasion are closely linked to the removal of the cause of the discomfort, ie the parasite, and the signs of its presence also disappear.
Ways of infection with parasites
There are many factors that cause worms. Their appearance may be due to the following situations:
- one of the most common risk factors for helminthiasis is the impact of mass tourism;
- in second place is water and food pollution;
- helminths can be infected after eating meat products, sausages;
- poorly washed fruits and vegetables are the main source of parasitic larvae;
- transmission of worms from pets is often recorded.
Symptoms of parasitic diseases
Worm infestations can manifest in different ways, depending on the type of parasite. The most common manifestations are as follows:
- constipation - difficulty in bowel movements caused by worms - is the result of blockage of intestinal flow;
- diarrhea - rare stools occur due to exposure to substances secreted by parasites that cause loss of potassium and chloride;
- flatulence and bloating - the parasites cause inflammation and gas in the small intestine;
- muscle and joint pain - helminthiasis is often characterized by localization of worms even in joint fluids and muscle tissue;
- allergy - parasites perforate the intestinal wall, as a result of which undecomposed molecules enter the bloodstream, causing an allergic reaction;
- skin problems - with helminthiasis, skin problems such as acne, rash and itching often occur;
- anemia - parasites adhere to the intestinal mucosa and "steal" nutrients, leading to anemia;
- granulomas - a tumor-like focus is formed that surrounds the eggs of the parasites;
- nervousness - worms produce toxins that irritate the central nervous system, as a result of which psychological signs may appear;
- sleep disorders - nocturnal anxiety accompanies the helminthic invasion for the following reasons: at this time the worms leave the rectum, the activity of the liver increases, which tries to get rid of the toxins produced by them;
- chronic fatigue is one of the first signs of parasites in the body;
- oncological diseases.
Oysters
Pinworms are among the most common intestinal parasites in the human body. These worms are scientifically called Enterobiusvermicularis. They are distributed all over the world. Despite the fact that these worms are characteristic mainly of the child's body and are most common in children's groups, they are also found in the adult population.
Infection occurs by ingesting the larvae of the parasite, which are found everywhere in the environment of the infected person. They are found on the skin, under the nails, in bed linen, clothes and dust. In the duodenum, the larvae develop into adult parasites and then migrate to the colon.
Adult blades are approximately 1 cm long, thin, resembling white thread. They lay eggs in the perianal area. This is manifested by the most characteristic symptoms of the disease - discomfort and itching in the rectal area.
Complications of the infection caused by parasites are chronic intestinal inflammation, in girls - a secondary vaginal infection.
2/3 of people infected with intestinal parasites are unaware of the presence of helminthiasis, as they often do not experience any symptoms other than anxiety, irritability and fatigue.
Vlasoglav
The second most common intestinal parasite is the whipworm, Trichuristrichiura. Infections caused by this type of worm are usually asymptomatic, making it very difficult to accurately identify an infected person.
The adult whip is 3-5 cm long. The worm infestation occurs orally - through the use of contaminated food or water, as well as through contaminated soil. The larvae of the parasite hatch in the small intestine, while the adult worms nest in the large intestine. The adult female lays eggs, which hatch in the feces and hatch in warm soil after 5 weeks of nesting.
In the worst case, the whipworm only causes abdominal pain, diarrhea or nausea. More serious complications of this infection occur exclusively in the tropics. In severe cases, chronic diarrhea or anemia may occur.
Nematodes
Human nematodes include 2 types of parasites - Ancylostomaduodenale and Necatoramericanus. Adult females are 10-13 mm (A. duodenale) or 9-11 mm (N. americanus), males 8-11 mm (A. duodenale) and 7-9 mm (N. americanus).
The eggs are excreted from the host's body in the faeces. Under favorable conditions (humidity, heat) the larvae hatch within 1-2 days in the soil or feces, after 5-10 days they become larvae capable of transmitting the infection. Under favorable natural conditions, they can survive 3-4 weeks.
Contact with the human body is made by the penetration of the parasite larvae through the skin. Through the bloodstream they reach the heart and lungs, penetrate the alveoli of the lungs, then from the bronchial tree enter the pharynx and the person swallows them. The larvae reach the small intestine, where they remain for the time required for their development into adult worms.
Adult worms live in the small intestine, attaching to the intestinal wall and feeding on the blood of their host, humans. Most of these parasites are eliminated from the body within 1-2 years, but records of their parasitism in the body can reach tens of years.
The larvae of A. duodenale worms, which penetrate human skin, are inactive (whether in the intestines or muscles). In addition, parasitic infection of A. duodenale can be transmitted orally. However, the N. americanus worm requires migration.
Ascaris
Roundworms - Ascarislumbricoides - also belong to the intestinal parasites. An adult worm can grow up to 25 cm in length. Helminths in humans of this type remain hidden for a long time. Their most common symptoms are fatigue and cough, which in most cases are due to other causes.
For helminthiasis infection it is enough to use unwashed vegetables and fruits.
The larvae of these worms nest and hatch in the small intestine, penetrating the intestinal wall. Through the flow of blood and lymph, they reach the lungs, causing coughing. When coughing, greenish mucus is cleared, with which the roundworms return to the intestines after ingestion. Roundworm eggs are excreted in the faeces.
The most common source of infection among humans is infected human feces.
In severe cases, roundworms can cause inflammatory processes in the body, most often pneumonia. But in most cases, people infected with worms remain asymptomatic or the symptoms are so mild that neither the patient nor the attending physician initially suspects an infection with intestinal parasites.
The disease caused by roundworm is called ascariasis. The main route of infection is faecal-oral.
The WHO estimates that the incidence of worms is about 1 billion infected people a year.
Helminths in adults, whose symptoms and treatment depend on the location of the worms, are characterized by various clinical manifestations - from asymptomatic forms to serious, even fatal cases. Common symptoms are abdominal discomfort and soreness, diarrhea, rectal itching or allergic reactions. In the first - migratory - phase, the larvae of the parasites can cause signs of inflammation of the lungs (Loeffler's syndrome), pancreas, heart muscle, liver and other organs.
Roundworms in the intestine are the cause of metabolic disorders and disorders of the nervous system.
Ascaris in the respiratory system
When worms migrate into the human body, they pass through the pharynx, where they colonize the lymph nodes around the main lymph chain (Waldeyer's chain).
Where there may be worm larvae:
- lymph and salivary glands;
- pharynx;
- larynx;
- the area along the ear canals leading to the middle ear;
- all passages leading to the brain.
The lateral walls of the nasopharynx have openings leading to the eustachian tube that connects the pharynx to the middle ear. This allows the pressure in the ear to balance with atmospheric pressure. In these ways, the larvae of the worms can reach the middle ear. As a result, hearing deteriorates, tinnitus, headache and Meniere's syndrome - dizziness, accompanied by moments of memory loss.
Pulmonary manifestations of roundworms
In roundworm lesions of the lungs appear diseases of this organ and skin signs in the form of roughness and rash. These symptoms are accompanied by a slight fever, but sometimes febrile conditions. The person suffers from a dry cough, asthmatic bronchitis and a hoarse voice. Untreated pulmonary roundworms can develop into chronic problems with seasonal attacks and eventually cause severe bronchial asthma. The person becomes addicted to drugs and sometimes even retires with a disability pension.
Roundworms in other organs
Due to the colonization of other organs by the larvae of the worms, minor hemorrhages and signs of inflammation appear in them.
They are able to penetrate the pancreas, bile ducts and liver. In the small intestine, the larvae merge into a "lump", causing ileus. The larvae of the parasites live in the above-mentioned organs throughout human life, feeding on their metabolites and damaging them mechanically.
In the presence of larvae in the liver and bile ducts, the liver is weakened and cannot naturally excrete toxic substances. As a result, they are excreted through the skin, causing allergies, itchy rashes, subcutaneous swelling of "unknown" origin and other manifestations in many variations - from dry eczema to purulent processes.
Ascaris in the brain
The symptoms of brain invasion vary depending on where the worm larvae are located. If they are in the meninges, there is a risk of meningoencephalitis with migraine headaches. During colonization of the furrows, granulomas form in the gray crust.
Later symptoms of brain cancer appear: loss of consciousness, epileptic seizures, convulsions. If the granuloma is located near the optic or auditory nerve, deafness or visual impairment occurs.
tapeworm
Chain - Taeniasaginata, Taeniasolium - is one of the oldest and most famous intestinal parasites. It can reach a record length - up to 9 m.
The two most common types of worms are bovine (Taeniasaginata) and porcine tapeworm (Taeniasolium). Both types colonize the body after eating raw or improperly cooked meat. The parasite's eggs are long and are deposited in the small intestine. Adult worms develop after 3 months. The extremities of the worm's body are filled with eggs, which are released separately and excreted in the feces. The larvae have the ability to enter the bloodstream through the intestinal mucosa, subsequently migrating to the muscles and brain, where they settle.
Despite the severity of the disease, tapeworm does not necessarily cause immediate symptoms of its presence, so it remains invisible for a long time. The chain in the muscles causes muscle pain, in the brain - epileptic seizures.
The parasite is detected by X-ray or computed tomography. An accurate diagnosis can only be made on the basis of these tests.
Treatment of parasites
Methods of treating worms are diverse. These include both the popular use of antiparasitic herbs and state-of-the-art bioresonance therapy.
Antiparasitic herbs
The rules for using antiparasitic herbs are based on the localization of worms in the body.
Taking half an hour before a meal is recommended in the following cases:
- parasites in the intestines and lower body;
- secondary infection with worms of the genitourinary system.
Food administration: damage by parasites of the stomach, colon, liver and spleen.
Use after meals: parasitic invasion of the upper body, lungs, neck, head.
Recommendations for the use of antiparasitic herbs:
- not recommended for pregnant women;
- one of the most common worm herbs, wormwood, should not be used for stomach ulcers.
Chemical antiparasitic drugs
Drugs containing carbamic acid methyl ester are the most effective. This active substance is intended for the treatment of pinworms, whips, roundworms, tapeworms. In the treatment of pinworms, the dosage is performed according to the instructions. Treat other parasites with these drugs according to age.
Adherence to dosage is important to avoid spasms.
Treatment by applying therapeutic frequencies to a bioresonance device and using a plasma generator
These devices destroy pathogens in the body without negative side effects. When using a bioresonance device, electrical impulses pass through the tissues, when using a plasma generator - radio waves, which cause vibration of the parasite membrane. The result is rupture of the membranes and therefore destruction of parasites. A specific frequency is applied to each type of micro-organism.
In this treatment of worms it is very important to follow the regime measures: exclusion of alcohol consumption and subsequent detoxification. Dead worms must be removed from the body, otherwise they will be encapsulated and act as allergens.
All available parasites are eliminated by treatment with these methods. The therapy is carried out in 2 stages:
- stage 1: removal of small parasites - 20 minutes for each microorganism;
- stage 2 - removal of large worms - first apply the frequency to destroy the eggs, then the larvae and finally the adult worms.
Optimal time of therapy:
- Unicellular: plasma - 5 minutes at frequency; bioresonance - 20 minutes at frequency.
- Multicellular: plasma - 10 minutes per frequency; bioresonance - 4 × 20 minutes with 1 frequency.
The use of a plasma generator, in addition to significantly reducing the time for the procedure, has another great advantage - when used with animals, up to 5 people can be present at the same time. Its range is up to 5 m.
Conclusion
Worm treatments include eliminating sugar, baked goods and potatoes - these foods create an ideal environment for helminths to survive.
When treating a child, it is recommended to give him roasted pumpkin seeds for chewing - about 30 seeds 3 times a day. They should not be eaten with the main food.
Eating raw garlic in moderation will also help eradicate worms.
Getting rid of worms will not work without proper hygiene. Hand washing, frequent washing of bed linen, dishes is the basis of effective therapy.