Intestinal worms can appear in humans in different ways. The most common routes of infection are contact with an infected animal or the consumption of improperly processed foods. No one is immune from infection. Helminthic invasion (damage to the body with duct tape, round and flat worms) leads to poor health and, in some cases, serious complications. You have to fight the problem.
Modern drugs allow you to remove worms from the small and large intestines to stop their negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract. It is very important to know how you can try to protect yourself from infection.
Causes of the Helminthic invasion
The causative agents of the invasion are worms that live in the intestines, which can be of various types. They enter the body, and over time the intestinal parasites become more and more. These organisms take root in the human body, multiply in it, feed on substances that enter the body. Due to her fault, a person may receive less important nutrients: proteins, fats and carbohydrates, trace elements, vitamins. During the invasion, pathogens pass from the larval stage to full-fledged worms, which seriously affects the state of the body. Parasites live in the human intestine for a long time and do not go away without therapy.
You can get infected with worms in the following ways:
- Through food.Worms are often found on the surface of unwashed fruits and vegetables. Some types of parasites (bovine and porcine tapeworms) leave larvae in the meat. If it is not fried, the larvae will enter the human body and begin to develop there.
- Form of contact with the household.By touching door handles in public places, handrails and other items without observing hygiene skills, a person puts themselves at risk of invasion. The contact method consists of contracting the disease through a handshake with an infected person, and the domestic method is infection through dirty dishes or other household items.
- Through pets.Some types of parasites in the rectum use four-legged friends as intermediate hosts. The larvae are transmitted by contact with the pet. This can happen when hugging, with an unexpected "kiss". A dog can bring roundworm eggs on its paws by collecting them from the ground outside.
With parasites in the intestines, the symptoms and causes of the disease can be different. The main reason for the onset of infection is improper hygiene. With proper personal care, regular hand washing, and handling of fresh food, the risk of infection is dramatically reduced.
Types of worms
What parasites live in the intestines? The body becomes infected not with one or two, but with several different types of worms. They can coexist in the intestine at the same time, but worms in humans are more often found separately.
The main classification of worms is their appearance. The parasites are intestinal, the symptoms are similar.
Important!Only a doctor can determine what type of worm has affected the gastrointestinal tract. You cannot try to define the disease yourself.
There are three main types of worms:
- tape;
- flat;
- are round.
Bowel tapeworms have a segmented body and a semi-flat shape, which is why helminths got their name (see photo). The round parasites in the human intestine look more like a standard earthworm. They are translucent, with a white or colorless body through which the main vessel shines. Flatworms are usually oval in shape, sometimes slightly segmented. The length of any type can be from 10mm to 10 meters. There are many different parasites in the small intestine, some of which are much smaller.
Experts identify more than 10 types of helminth invasion, which are based on various pathogens. The most common type is ascariasis, that is, infection by roundworms 15 to 40 cm long with characteristic abdominal pain and intoxication. But there are other options:
- Trichocephalosis.The causative agent is whipworm. Vlasoglav is one of the most versatile worms. It penetrates the cecum and the large and small intestines. The main symptoms are dizziness, vomiting, nausea, and other signs of worms and intoxication. Parasites that live in the small intestine are easily removed with medications.
- Teniarinhoz.This is the development of the bovine tapeworm in the human body. This worm is transmitted through meat products and large domestic animals. As a result, there is a constant intoxication of the body and pain in the abdominal cavity.
- Metagonimosis.One of the most dangerous forms of parasites in the human intestine, requiring urgent elimination. It is caused by flukes, which can cause intestinal inflammation. The infection occurs through untreated fish.
- Trichinellosis.The most serious form, which leads to the death of the patient with prolonged absence of therapy. The causative agent, Trichinella, can penetrate from the intestines to the internal organs and seriously disturb their work. Due to the increased activity of the parasite, pain is felt not only in the abdomen, but also in the muscles. As an allergic reaction, conjunctivitis begins.
There are more than a dozen variations of worms and the groups of diseases they cause: 10. It is difficult even for specialists to distinguish one from the other, so you should not make a diagnosis yourself. This will only lead to inappropriate therapy and an increase in negative symptoms. Only a highly qualified doctor with special equipment can correctly recognize the type of helminth, because intestinal parasites show symptoms that are similar to each other (teniarcosis and whipworm are difficult to distinguish).
Consequences of the Helminthic invasion
With a long absence of treatment, various complications are possible. The kidneys, bile ducts, and some internal organs are affected. Even the heart and brain are at risk if symptoms are not noticed in time with dangerous parasites in the intestines.
Pay attention!If you suspect a serious helminthic invasion with damage to internal organs, you should see a specialist immediately. The parasite can be fatal at any time if the case is neglected. A doctor must monitor symptoms and treatment.
The main complication of advanced helminthic invasion is withdrawal symptoms. This is a state of constant poisoning. The patient feels weak, cannot be active, suffers episodes of vomiting and dizziness. Such signs will disappear only with the complete removal of the parasite from the body.
During the investigation, other consequences of the infection were also identified:
- the skin becomes significantly thinner, becomes covered with viral growths (papillomas), acquires an unhealthy tone;
- due to developing vitamin deficiency, hair, nails become thinner and break, bones become more brittle;
- the person feels constant drowsiness;
- due to changes in the nervous system, the infected person may become more aggressive;
- In severe cases, the invasion is fatal.
Death is likely if the problem is ignored for several years. During this time, helminths have time to grow to significant sizes and begin to actively eat nutrients, almost completely taking them away from humans.
Symptoms of the invasion
Helminthic invasion manifests itself already in the early stages of development. The longer the parasite is in a developmental stage, the more pronounced the symptoms of worms in humans.
There are a number of nonspecific features that do not distinguish invasion from other diseases. The symptoms of parasites in the intestines are many. The most common are the following:
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- feeling tired;
- dizziness;
- loss of consciousness;
- gastrointestinal disorders;
- rectal inflammation;
- constipation.
A specific symptom that is rare in other conditions is erratic abdominal pain. She "walks" through the intestines, while stabbing in several places at once. The reason is the movement and activity of the parasites. Parasites in the intestines show symptoms of intoxication or poisoning, making it difficult to diagnose the disease.
Diagnosis of ailment
The disease must first be distinguished from similar gastrointestinal problems. It is necessary to distinguish it from ordinary poisoning, infection and appendicitis. Differentiation occurs on the basis of data obtained from the anamnesis. For more accurate results, it is recommended to undergo additional control on the type of worm.
How do I know if there are parasites? You can find the exact type of parasite by testing your stool. The parasites that live in the human large intestine secrete eggs, which are shed in the feces. In it, experts find helminth eggs and determine what type of parasite they belong to. Based on the data obtained, the treatment is carried out.
Tip:See a specialist with a ready-to-use stool analysis and, to maximize the speed of the procedure, request a check at a paid medical facility. This will allow you to know your diagnosis as soon as possible and find out if there are worms.
At diagnosis, the anamnesis is taken, an irrigoscopy is performed, and the abdominal region is palpated. The latter allows you to assess the degree of damage to the body. In case of serious deviations, a person can be sent for further examinations. There they will find out how dangerous damage to internal organs is and whether it is present at all. After that, a therapy is prescribed, the main function of which is to clean the intestines at home. You can also determine the diagnosis with a colonoscopy of the abdomen.
Therapy course
How to eliminate parasites? You need to clean the intestines at home. The infection is treated by killing the parasites. To combat them, specialized preparations for parasites are used.
The choice of a cure for parasites in the intestines should be based on the type of worm. Most medications are complex pills, meaning they allow you to fight roundworms, flatworms, and tapeworms. Medications work in slightly different ways.
Conditions to get rid of worms
A course of medication generally requires only one or two days to fully recover the body. Many of the anthelmintic medications are enough to use once, at most, twice.
But this rule applies only to specialized drugs, after which the symptoms of worms in an adult disappear almost instantly. Dietary supplements are taken at different intervals.
Dietary supplements are effective when taken for about a month. The optimal duration of the course is a month and a half. After that, a break is made for at least two months, if necessary, after this period, the drug is repeated.
Both biologically active additives and specialty drugs can be used repeatedly, but with repeated use, you should definitely consult a doctor. Treating parasites with home remedies is not recommended.
Infection prevention
Worm infestation is easy to avoid with simple hygiene practices. First, experts recommend limiting contact with untested animals and improving food hygiene. All vegetables, fruits, herbs and other products must be washed. On its surface there may be helminth larvae invisible to the human eye. When frying, the meat must be ready, while possible parasites are killed.
It is important to follow the basic rules of personal hygiene:
- the brush used to clean the teeth must be separate;
- the same goes for body towels;
- after eating, the dishes should be washed for you or your home;
- cannot eat from someone else's dirty plate;
- Hands should be washed after going outdoors, handling pets, and before eating.
Following the elementary rules will allow you to forget about the invasion problem forever. As a guarantee of health, prophylactic formulations can be taken. Before buying a herbal dietary supplement, which will provide constant protection of the body, you should consult your doctor.
Cleaning the intestines of worms is an extremely important procedure for the health and well-being of the patient. People who have parasites in the body cannot live fully.
It is also useful to cleanse the body for preventive purposes: it also allows to eliminate toxins with the help of cleansing techniques. With timely therapy, helminthic invasion is not dangerous.