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 by an infectious way, helminthic invasion often goes unnoticed, gradually causing disorders in the body.
First of all, you should understand what helminths are. This is a general term for worms that parasitize the human body, in the bodies of animals or even plants. This explanation is also the answer to the question of what are worms. The terms "worm" and "helminth" are synonyms.
The most dangerous helminthic invasion is the long-term asymptomatic form, leading to diseases caused by nutritional deficiencies. Intestinal parasites live by absorbing nutrients from the human body. Helminthic invasion can be detected already at an advanced stage, after the onset of other symptoms of the presence of intestinal parasites.
Some intestinal parasite larvae can reach various body tissues. In this case, inflammatory deposits are formed, since 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 a person, the symptoms and treatment of the invasion are closely related to getting rid of the cause of the discomfort, that is, the parasite, and the signs of its presence also disappear.
Ways of infection with parasites
There are many factors from which worms appear. Their appearance may be due to the following situations:
- one of the most common risk factors for helminthiasis is the influence of mass tourism;
- in second place is water and food contamination;
- helminths can be infected after eating meat products, sausages;
- poorly washed fruits and vegetables are the main source of parasite larvae;
- transmission of worms from pets is often recorded.
Symptoms of parasitic diseases
Worm infestations can manifest themselves 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 - loose stools appear due to exposure to substances secreted by parasites that cause the loss of potassium and chloride;
- flatulence and bloating - parasites cause inflammation and gas in the small intestine;
- pain in muscles and joints - helminthiases are often characterized by the location of worms even in articular fluids and muscle tissues;
- allergy - parasites perforate the intestinal walls, as a result of which undigested molecules enter the bloodstream, causing an allergic reaction;
- skin problems - with helminthiasis, skin troubles such as acne, rash and itching often occur;
- anemia - parasites adhere to the intestinal mucous membranes and "steal" nutrients, which leads to anemia;
- granulomas - a tumor-like focus is formed that surrounds the eggs of parasites;
- nervousness - worms produce toxins that irritate the central nervous system, as a result, psychological signs may appear;
- sleep disturbances - night anxiety accompanies helminthic invasion for the following reasons: at this time, the worms leave the rectum, the activity of the liver increases, which is trying to get rid of the toxins they produce;
- chronic fatigue is one of the first signs of parasites in the body;
- oncological diseases.
Pinworms
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 primarily characteristic of the child's body and are most common in children's groups, they are also found in the adult population.
Infection occurs when the larvae of the parasite are swallowed, which are anywhere in the environment of the infected person. They are present on the skin, under nails, in bedding, clothes, and dust. In the duodenum, the larvae develop into adult parasites, after which they migrate to the large intestine.
Adult pinworms are approximately 1 cm long, thin, resembling a white thread. They lay eggs in the perianal region. This is manifested by the most characteristic symptoms of the disease - discomfort and itching in the rectal area.
Complications of infection caused by parasites are chronic intestinal inflammation, in girls - secondary vaginal infection.
2/3 of people infected with intestinal parasites are not aware of the presence of helminthiasis, since they often do not feel other symptoms besides 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.
An adult whipworm is 3-5 cm long. Worm infestation occurs by the oral route - 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 with feces and hatch in warm soil after 5 weeks of nesting.
In the worst case, whipworm only causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, or nausea. More serious complications of this infection occur exclusively in tropical areas. 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 feces. Under favorable conditions (humidity, warmth), the larvae hatch within 1–2 days in the soil or in feces, after 5–10 days they become larvae capable of transmitting the infection. Under favorable natural conditions, they can survive for 3-4 weeks.
Contact with the human body occurs through the penetration of the parasite larvae through the skin. Through the bloodstream, they reach the heart and lungs, penetrate into the pulmonary alveoli, then from the bronchial tree they enter the pharynx, and the person swallows them. The larvae reach the small intestine, where they remain for the time necessary for their development into adult worms.
Adult worms live in the small intestine, attaching themselves to the intestinal wall and feeding on the blood of their host, a human. Most of these parasites are eliminated from the body within 1–2 years, but the records of their parasitism in the body can reach tens of years.
The larvae of A. duodenale worms that penetrate human skin are inactive (whether in the intestine or muscle). In addition, the A. duodenale parasitic infection can also be transmitted by the oral route. However, the N. americanus worm requires migration.
Roundworm
Roundworms - Ascarislumbricoides - also belong to intestinal parasites. An adult worm can grow up to 25 cm in length. Helminths in a person of this type remain hidden for a long time. Their symptoms are most often fatigue and coughing, which in most cases is due to other reasons.
For infection with helminthiasis, it is enough to use unwashed vegetables and fruits.
The larvae of these worms nest and hatch in the small intestine, penetrate the intestinal wall. Through blood and lymph flow, they reach the lungs, causing a cough. When coughing, greenish mucus is cleared up, with which roundworms return to the intestines after swallowing. Ascaris eggs are excreted in the feces.
The most common source of infection between humans is infected human feces.
In severe cases, ascaris 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 himself nor the attending physician at first suspects infection with intestinal parasites.
The disease caused by ascaris is called ascariasis. The main route of infection is fecal-oral.
According to WHO estimates, the incidence of worms is about 1 billion infected people per year.
Helminths in adults, the symptoms and treatment of which depend on the localization of the worms, are characterized by a variety of clinical manifestations - from asymptomatic forms to serious, even fatal cases. Common symptoms are abdominal discomfort and soreness, diarrhea, itching in the rectal area, or allergic manifestations. In the first - migratory - phase, parasite larvae can cause signs of inflammation of the lungs (Loeffler's syndrome), pancreas, heart muscle, liver and other organs.
Roundworms in the intestines are the cause of metabolic disorders and disorders of the nervous system.
Ascaris in the respiratory organs
When worms migrate in the human body, they pass through the pharynx, where they colonize the lymph nodes around the main lymphatic chain (Waldeyer's chain).
Where worm larvae may be present:
- lymphatic and salivary glands;
- pharynx;
- larynx;
- the area along the ear canals leading to the middle ear;
- all the passageways leading to the brain.
The lateral nasopharyngeal walls have openings leading to the Eustachian tube, which connects the pharynx to the middle ear. This allows the pressure in the ear to be balanced with atmospheric pressure. Along these paths, the larvae of the worms can reach the middle ear. As a result, hearing deteriorates, tinnitus appears, headache and Meniere's syndrome - vertigo, accompanied by moments of memory loss.
Pulmonary manifestations of ascaris
When ascaris lesions of the lungs, diseases of this organ and skin signs in the form of roughness and rash occur. These symptoms are accompanied by a slightly elevated temperature, but sometimes febrile conditions. The person suffers from dry cough, asthmatic bronchitis and hoarseness. Untreated, pulmonary ascaris can develop into chronic problems with seasonal flare-ups and ultimately cause severe bronchial asthma. The person becomes addicted to drugs, and sometimes even retires on a disability pension.
Roundworms in other organs
Due to the colonization of other organs by the larvae of worms, minor bleeding and signs of inflammation appear in them.
They are able to penetrate the pancreas, bile ducts and liver. In the small intestine, the larvae coalesce into a "lump", causing ileus. The parasite larvae live in the aforementioned organs throughout human life, feeding on their metabolites and mechanically damaging them.
In the presence of larvae in the hepatic 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
Symptoms of cerebral invasion vary depending on where the worm larvae are present. If they are in the meninges, there is a risk of meningoencephalitis with migraine headaches. When colonizing the grooves, granulomas are formed in the gray crust.
Later, symptoms of cerebral carcinoma appear: loss of consciousness, epileptic seizures, convulsions. If the granuloma is located near the optic or auditory nerve, deafness or visual impairment appears.
Tapeworm
Chain - Taeniasaginata, Taeniasolium - is one of the oldest and best known intestinal parasites. It can reach a record length - up to 9 m.
The two most common types of worms are bovine (Taeniasaginata) and pork tapeworm (Taeniasolium). Both types colonize the body after consuming raw or improperly cooked meat. The eggs of the parasite are long and are deposited in the small intestine. Adult worms develop after 3 months. The end parts of the worm's body are filled with eggs, which are individually released 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 immediately cause symptoms of its presence, therefore 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 studies.
Parasite treatment
Treatment methods for worms are varied. They include both the popular use of antiparasitic herbs and the most modern bioresonance therapy.
Antiparasitic herbs
The rules for using antiparasitic herbs are based on the localization of worms in the body.
Reception half an hour before meals is advisable in the following cases:
- parasites in the intestines and lower body;
- secondary infection with worms of the genitourinary system.
Application with food: damage by parasites of the stomach, colon, liver and spleen.
Use after meals: parasite infestation of the upper body, lungs, neck, head.
Recommendations for the use of antiparasitic herbs:
- not recommended for pregnant women;
- one of the most common herbs for worms, wormwood, should not be used for stomach ulcers.
Chemical antiparasitic drugs
The most effective are drugs containing carbamic acid methyl ester. This active substance is intended for the treatment of pinworms, whipworms, roundworms, tapeworms. When treating pinworms, the dosage is carried out according to the instructions. Treat other parasites with these drugs according to age.
Dosage compliance is important to avoid cramping.
Treatment by applying therapeutic frequencies on a bioresonance device and using a plasma generator
These devices destroy pathogens in the body without any 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 membranes and, consequently, the destruction of parasites. For each type of microorganism, a specific frequency is applied.
During this treatment of worms, it is very important to observe 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 like allergens.
All parasites present are eliminated by treatment using 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, frequency is applied to destroy the eggs, then the larvae and eventually adult worms.
Optimal timing of therapy:
- Unicellular: plasma - 5 minutes per frequency; bioresonance - 20 minutes per frequency.
- Multicellular: plasma - 10 minutes per frequency; bioresonance - 4 × 20 minutes using 1 frequency.
The use of a plasma generator, in addition to a significant reduction in the procedure time, has another great advantage - when using it, up to 5 people can be present together with animals at the same time. Its range of action is up to 5 m.
Conclusion
Treating worms involves eliminating sugar, sweet baked goods and potatoes - these foods create an ideal environment for helminths to survive.
In case of treating the child, it is recommended to give him roasted pumpkin seeds to chew - 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 bedding, dishes is the basis of effective therapy.