Treatment of parasitic diseases is an urgent problem for the population of countries with warm and hot climates. According to the World Health Organization, 25% of the world's population is susceptible to helminthic infestations. Parasites are able to exist for a long time (over several years) in the host's body, without giving away their presence and gradually destroying the organs from the inside. Most helminthiases are accompanied by allergic reactions and suppression of immunological protection, which leads to serious illness and even death.
What are worms
Helminths (worms) - the general name for parasitic worms, the owner of which is a person or an animal. Currently, there are more than 250 species of helminths on the planet (about 90 of them live in the CIS). In length, worms in the human body can reach several meters, but most are 20-40 cm in size. Helminths are able to inhabit almost all organs of the human body, feeding on the host's internal resources, weakening it and leading to the development of diseases.
The peculiarity of helminths is that their full life cycle cannot take place in the host's body - conditions that are nonspecific for the human body are necessary for the maturation of eggs. The prolonged presence of worms is due to re-infection (ingestion of mature eggs in the mouth, and then in the stomach and intestines). After the eggs of helminths enter the human body, larvae emerge from them and begin to move through the body. Most helminths "live" in the intestines, but some types of worms are able to migrate with the blood stream to other organs (lungs, liver, heart, brain, eyes).
In the process of infection and further development to adults, worms in the human body have the following pathological effect:
- mechanical violation of the integrity of the intestinal wall;
- exposure to toxic waste products of helminths;
- absorption of useful substances necessary for a person by the parasite;
- closure of the ducts of the liver, intestinal lumen with lumps of worms (it is rare with lesions of large helminths).
Helminthiases are a group of diseases caused by helminthic invasions. Children are more susceptible to such pathologies, since their immunity has not yet been fully formed, and in addition, they are not able to take care of personal hygiene on their own. Further from the child, it is possible to infect adult family members, which contributes to further spread.
For helminthiasis, specific symptoms are not characteristic, since the clinical picture of infection with worms is similar to signs of pathologies of the gallbladder, liver, gastrointestinal tract, therefore, laboratory tests are necessary to establish an accurate diagnosis. In addition, asymptomatic carriage is often found, the diagnosis of which is associated with certain difficulties.
Kinds
Helminths, on the basis of morphological characteristics, are divided into three large groups: round, tape and flatworms. Each category is subdivided into several classes. Helminthiases are combined into groups based on the type of disease-causing worm. Characteristics of the varieties of helminths and the pathologies they cause:
- Roundworms (nematodes) are heterosexual helminths of a relatively small size (2-40 cm), are widespread due to the ease of transmission. Infection with nematodes occurs when the eggs of the parasites enter the host's mouth from the feces of the carriers. The most common representatives of helminths are pinworms - they are infected in 90% of cases. Pinworm larvae cause enterobiasis disease, accompanied by severe exhaustion, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The second most common helminthiasis is caused by the ascaris worm and is called ascariasis - this is a pathology in which parasites infect not only the human intestine, but also other organs (liver, lungs, heart). Ascariasis is able to provoke internal bleeding, the appearance of allergic reactions, in children - developmental delay. The so-called whipworm, despite its small size (3-5 cm), can have a toxic effect on the human body for 5 years, causing the disease trichocephalosis. The influence of Trichinella worms leads to the development of trichinosis, a characteristic feature of which is muscle tissue damage.
- Tapeworms (cestoses) are the largest representatives of helminths (10-15 meters). These are same-sex parasites, i. e. their reproduction is carried out by one individual. An obligatory stage in the life cycle of tapeworms is the development of ungulates in the body. Cestode eggs enter the environment in the faeces of host animals. In addition, infection through contaminated meat is possible. For example, insufficient heat treatment of pork leads to infection with pork tapeworm, beef - with bovine tapeworm. Echinococcosis, caused by tapeworms of echinococci, for which a person is an intermediate host, is considered a serious parasitic disease. This pathology leads to the formation of cysts in the organs, which can only be eliminated with the help of surgical intervention.
- Flatworms (trematodes) are small (7-30 mm) and usually affect the hepatic 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 flukes and schistosomes; the first cause opisthorchiasis, the second - schistosomiasis.
A separate niche among parasitic invasions is occupied by protozoal infections caused by the simplest unicellular microorganisms. Reproduction of these parasites occurs through division, so their number increases rapidly. The most common type of unicellular parasite in our region is lamblia, it exists in two forms - vegetation and cysts (spores). According to statistics, every third child suffers from giardiasis, since infection occurs when only 2-10 lamblia cysts enter the intestine.
Causes
Infection with helminthic and protozoal invasions is carried out by the oral-fecal route - mature eggs or spores enter the host's mouth and intestines from the feces of infected animals. Science knows four main ways of infection:
- Contact - carried out when a person comes into contact with an infected carrier (animals, birds, another person), leads to the development of contact helminthiasis.
- Infection through soil and water, which contain disease-causing eggs or cysts, causes geohelminthiasis.
- Infection that occurs when eating raw or insufficiently thermally processed meat and fish leads to the development of biohelminthiasis.
- A small percentage of infestations are due to insect bites.
How to treat human worms
Symptoms for lesions by different helminths are usually similar. The most striking and common signs are sudden weight loss, malaise, pallor of the skin, itching in the anus. At the same time, some symptoms can still help make a diagnosis - for example, disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, the nervous system signal the presence of bovine tapeworm in the body, allergic reactions and skin rashes - whipworm, etc. How to remove worms from a person, what methods and medications exist for this - these issues are dealt with by an infectious disease doctor.
Determination of the correct diagnosis is based on the exact establishment of the type of pathogenic helminth. This may require laboratory tests (urine, blood, feces, bile) and other diagnostic measures (ultrasound, fluorography). It is necessary to start removing parasites immediately - the more time the helminths are in the body, the more difficult it is to get rid of the consequences of the defeat later. The doctor prescribes treatment based on the weight, sex and age of the patient, 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 adherence to a health-improving diet, and prevention of new infection. Previously, only traditional methods were used to remove parasites, whereas now they are used as additional measures to combat helminths, since many synthetic anthelmintic drugs have appeared on the pharmaceutical market.
The modern pharmacological industry has about 20 drugs for removing worms in humans. Among them there are medicines of a narrow and wide spectrum of action:
| Type of drug | Indications |
| Anti-nematodic (aimed at removing roundworms | Enterobiasis, ascariasis, trichocephalosis, trichinosis, strongyloidosis, ankylostomiasis |
| Anti-trematode (aimed at removing flat worms) | Schistosomiasis, fascioliasis, opisthorchiasis, clonorchiasis |
| Protivocestodnoy (aimed at removing tapeworms) | 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 exclude re-infection. In addition, experts advise, when treating some types of helminthiasis, to put an enema in the evening or drink a laxative after taking the pills in the morning.
Among the traditional medicines, the most effective are raw pumpkin seeds, garlic, tansy. The mechanism of action of most drugs and non-traditional medicines for removing worms consists in disrupting the work of the neuromuscular system of helminths, suppressing metabolism (due to inhibition of fumarate reductase), and destroying the integumentary tissues of worms.
During treatment, the patient may develop signs of intoxication: intestinal disorders, headache, vomiting, allergic reactions, abdominal pain. Treatment of worms in humans with antiparasitic drugs should only take place as prescribed by a doctor and according to the manufacturer's instructions, in order to avoid complications and side effects.
Tablets
All medications for the removal of worms should be taken with meals with a glass of liquid (water, milk). Comparative characteristics of some tablets for worms. All drugs are prohibited to use during pregnancy and lactation:
| The active substance of the drug | Action | Indications | Method of application (for adults) | Side effects | Contraindications |
| Pirantel | Blocked nerve endings in worm muscles | Enterobiasis, ascariasis, noncatorosis, ankylostomiasis | Up to 75 kg - 15 ml of syrup once, 75 kg and more - 20 ml | Dizziness, digestive system disorders, skin rashes | Liver failure, up to 6 months of age |
| Carbendazim | Paralysis of the musculature of parasites | Ascariasis, strongyloidiasis, trichocephalosis, noncatorosis | Depends on the type of parasite | Nausea, weakness, allergic reactions | Component sensitivity |
| Pyrvinia emboat | Violation of the metabolism of worms | Enterobiasis | 5 mg / kg body weight once in the morning after breakfast | Headache, nausea, diarrhea, allergic reactions | Liver failure, up to 3 months of age |
For a successful fight against parasites, it is important to carefully follow the rules of personal hygiene, to strictly adhere to the course of treatment prescribed by the doctor. In addition to the use of anthelmintic drugs, it is recommended to take care of removing toxins from the body and restoring the functioning of organs, strengthening the immune system. For these purposes, folk recipes (infusions, teas), as well as industrial vitamin and mineral complexes are widely used.
Folk remedies
The use of traditional medicine recipes is highly effective in removing parasites. For this purpose, decoctions, tinctures, solutions for enemas from the following natural ingredients are used:
- garlic;
- pumpkin seeds;
- Walnut;
- onion;
- herbs: dandelion, tansy, wormwood, burdock, nettle;
- oils: hemp, cedar, linseed, sea buckthorn.
How to remove worms at home
Some types of helminthiasis are successfully treated at home without hospitalization in a hospital, but if infected with large types of worms, supportive therapy in a hospital setting may be needed. Removing worms at home includes both drug treatment and the use of alternative medicine. Any funds are accepted only as prescribed by a doctor, self-medication is prohibited.
Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are considered the most popular folk remedy for removing worms due to their negative effect on worms and the absence of side reactions. The antihelminthic properties of this product are due to the presence in them of the substance cucurbitin, which is a poison for most worms. Pumpkin seeds should be consumed with the peel no more than 300 g per day for an adult. Several popular recipes:
- Wash and dry the seeds, grind in a blender, add honey. It is necessary to consume the mixture on an empty stomach, after 4 hours, take a laxative.
- During the day, you should eat 100 g of seeds (divided into 4 servings), after each intake, after an hour, 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 immunostimulating properties and does not cause serious side effects. Several recipes for medicines with garlic:
- Grind 2 lemons and 10 heads of garlic in a meat grinder, mix and refrigerate. Take the product 1 tablespoon three times a day.
- Pour 200 ml of warm water over a few chopped cloves of garlic, leave overnight. Garlic water should be taken every day, 200 ml in the morning on an empty stomach for a week.
Troichetka
This product contains powders of several plants in different combinations. These medicines not only help in the fight against common helminthic invasions, but also help to normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract:
- Mix tansy, cloves and wormwood in a 4: 2: 1 ratio. Take a mixture of 1 teaspoon a day before meals with water, on the second day eat 2 tablespoons, on all subsequent days - 3. The course of treatment is 14 days.
- Mix calendula, dry calamus and caraway seeds in a 2: 1: 1 ratio. Take the mixture in a similar way.
Enemas from worms
Enemas based on substances poisonous to parasites have been widely used in the elimination of worms. Such procedures are effective only in the case of intestinal helminthiasis. Several popular recipes:
- Pour 2-3 chopped garlic cloves with a glass of milk, bring to a boil, cool. Use enema solution within 2 weeks. Children under 3 years old should not be given a garlic enema.
- Pour ½ teaspoon of baking soda with a glass of water, bring to a boil, cool. It is necessary to put a soda enema for 30 minutes. The course of treatment is 7 days.
- 1 tablespoon of chopped tansy flowers pour 500 ml of hot water, boil for 15 minutes, then leave for 4 hours. The course of treatment is 5-7 days.