Worms in the human body are parasites that are not viable on their own, they can survive and reproduce exclusively through the host (human or animal). Parasitic diseases are caused by the worms in humans or by their larvae. The disease spreads infectiously, the helminth invasion often goes unnoticed, gradually causing disturbances in the body.
First, you must understand what helminths are. This is a general term for worms that parasitize the human body, animal bodies or even plants. This explanation is also the answer to the question of what worms are. The terms "worm" and "helminths" are synonymous.
The most dangerous helminth 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 at an advanced stage, after the appearance of other symptoms of the presence of intestinal parasites.
Some intestinal parasite larvae can reach various tissues in the body. In this case, inflammatory deposits form as 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 eliminating the cause of the discomfort, namely the parasite, and the signs of their presence also disappear.
Forms of infection with parasites
There are many factors from which worms appear. Its appearance may be due to the following situations:
- one of the most common risk factors for helminthiasis is the influence of mass tourism;
- second is water and food contamination;
- helminths can become infected after eating meat products, sausages;
- poorly washed fruits and vegetables are the main source of parasite larvae;
- transmission of worms from pets is frequently 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 evacuating caused by worms—is the result of blocked bowel flow;
- diarrhea - loose stools appear 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 the location of worms, even in joint fluids and muscle tissue;
- allergy - the parasites pierce the intestinal walls, resulting in the entry of undigested molecules into the bloodstream, causing an allergic reaction;
- skin problems - with helminthiasis, skin problems such as acne, rashes and itching often occur;
- anemia - the parasites adhere to the intestinal mucous membranes and "steal" nutrients, which leads to anemia;
- granulomas - a tumor-like focus that involves the eggs of the parasites forms;
- nervousness - the worms produce toxins that irritate the central nervous system, and psychological signs may appear;
- sleep disorders - nocturnal anxiety accompanies the invasion of helminths for the following reasons: at this time, the worms leave the rectum, increases the activity of the liver, which tries to get rid of the toxins they produce;
- chronic fatigue is one of the first signs of parasites in the body;
- oncological diseases.
earthworms
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. Although these worms are mainly characteristic of the infant body and are more common in groups of children, they are also found in the adult population.
Infection occurs when the larvae of the parasite are swallowed, which are found anywhere in the infected person's environment. They are present on the skin, under the nails, in the bed, in clothing and in dust. In the duodenum, larvae develop into adult parasites, after which they migrate to the large intestine.
Adult pinworms are approximately 1 cm long, thin, and resemble a white thread. They lay eggs in the perianal region. This is manifested by the most characteristic symptoms of the disease - discomfort and itchiness 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 unaware of the presence of helminthiasis, as they often do not experience symptoms other than anxiety, irritability and fatigue.
Vlasoglav
The second most common intestinal parasite is the Trichuristrichiura worm. Infections caused by this type of worm are usually asymptomatic, making it very difficult to accurately identify an infected person.
An adult worm is 3-5 cm long. Worm infestation occurs orally - through the use of contaminated food or water, as well as through contaminated soil. The parasite larvae 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. The most serious complications of this infection occur exclusively in tropical areas. In severe cases, chronic diarrhea or anemia can 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).
Eggs are excreted from the host's body in feces. Under favorable conditions (humidity, heat), larvae hatch within 1–2 days in soil or faeces, 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, enter the pulmonary alveoli, then the bronchial tree enter the pharynx and the person swallows them. The larvae reach the small intestine, where they remain as long as necessary 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, a human. Most of these parasites are cleared from the body within 1–2 years, but records of their parasitism in the body can go back tens of years.
The larvae of the A. duodenale worms that penetrate human skin are inactive (either in the intestines or in the muscles). In addition, parasitic A. duodenale infection can also be transmitted orally. 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. The helminths in such a person remain hidden for a long time. Its symptoms are most often fatigue and cough, which in most cases are due to other reasons.
For helminthiasis infection, just use unwashed fruits and vegetables.
The larvae of these worms nest and hatch in the small intestine, penetrating the intestinal wall. Through blood and lymphatic flow, they reach the lungs, causing coughing. When coughing, the greenish mucus is eliminated, with which the roundworms return to the intestines after swallowing. Ascaris eggs are excreted in feces.
The most common source of infection among 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 nor the treating physician initially suspects an intestinal parasite infection.
The disease caused by ascaris is called ascariasis. The main route of infection is the fecal-oral route.
According to WHO estimates, the incidence of worms is about 1 billion people infected each year.
Helminths in adults, whose symptoms and treatment depend on the location of the worms, are characterized by a variety of clinical manifestations - from asymptomatic forms to severe and even fatal cases. Common symptoms are abdominal discomfort and pain, diarrhea, rectal itching, or allergic manifestations. In the first stage - migratory, the parasite larvae can cause signs of inflammation in the lungs (Loeffler's syndrome), pancreas, heart muscle, liver and other organs.
Roundworms in the intestines are the cause of metabolic and nervous system disorders.
Ascaris in Organs 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 passages that lead to the brain.
The lateral walls of the nasopharynx have openings that lead 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 worm larvae can reach the middle ear. As a result, hearing deteriorates, tinnitus, headache and Meniere's syndrome appear - vertigo, accompanied by moments of memory loss.
Pulmonary manifestations of ascaris
When ascaris lesions occur in the lungs, disease of that 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. Left 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 worm larvae, small 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 agglutinate into a "lump", causing the ileum. The parasite's larvae live in Organs aforementioned organs throughout human life, feeding on their metabolites and mechanically damaging them.
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
Symptoms of brain invasion vary depending on where the worm larvae are present. If they are in the meninges, there is a risk of meningoencephalitis with migraine. Upon colonizing the ridges, granulomas form in the gray crust.
Later, the symptoms of brain carcinoma appear: loss of consciousness, epileptic fits, seizures. If the granuloma is located close to the optic or auditory nerve, deafness or visual impairment arises.
Tapeworm
Chain - Taeniasaginata, Taeniasolium - is one of the oldest and most known intestinal parasites. It can reach a record length - up to 9 m.
The two most common types of worms are cattle (Taeniasaginata) and pig tapeworms (Taeniasolium). Both types colonize the body after consuming raw or undercooked meat. The parasite's eggs are long and deposit in the small intestine. Adult worms develop after 3 months. The final 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, later migrating to the muscles and brain, where they settle.
Despite the seriousness of the disease, tapeworm does not necessarily cause immediate symptoms of its presence, therefore, it remains invisible for a long time. The chain in the muscles causes muscle pain, in the brain - epileptic fits.
The parasite is detected by X-rays or CT scan. An accurate diagnosis can only be made on the basis of these studies.
Parasite treatment
The treatment methods for worms are varied. They include the popular use of antiparasitic herbs and the most modern bioresonance therapy.
antiparasitic herbs
The rules for using antiparasitic herbs are based on the location of the worms in the body.
Reception half an hour before meals is advisable in the following cases:
- parasites in intestines and lower body;
- secondary infection by worms of the genitourinary system.
Food application: parasite damage of the stomach, colon, liver and spleen.
Use after meals: parasite infestation on 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 medicines containing carbamic acid methyl ester. This active substance is intended for the treatment of worms, whipworms, roundworms and worms. In the treatment of moths, the dosage is carried out according to the instructions. Treat other parasites with these medications according to age.
Compliance with the dosage is important to avoid colic.
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 the parasite's membrane to vibrate. The result is the rupture of the membranes and, consequently, the destruction of the parasites. For each type of microorganism, a specific frequency is applied.
During this treatment of worms, it is very important to observe the measures of the regimen: 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 parasites present are eliminated by treatment using these methods. The therapy is carried out in 2 steps:
- stage 1: small parasite removal - 20 minutes for each microorganism;
- stage 2 - removal of large worms - first frequency is applied to destroy eggs, then larvae and finally adult worms.
Ideal moment of therapy:
- Single cell: plasma - 5 minutes per frequency; bioresonance - 20 minutes per frequency.
- Multicellular: plasma - 10 minutes per frequency; bioresonance - 4 × 20 minutes at 1 frequency.
The use of the 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 the animals at the same time. Its range of action is up to 5 m.
Conclusion
Treating worms involves eliminating sugar, baked sweets and potatoes - these foods create an ideal environment for helminths to survive.
In the case of treating the child, it is recommended to give him roasted pumpkin seeds to chew - about 30 seeds 3 times a day. Not to be consumed with the main food.
Eating raw garlic in moderation will also help to eradicate the worms.
Getting rid of worms doesn't work without proper hygiene. Hand washing, frequent washing of bed linen and dishes are the basis of effective therapy.