Worms are parasites that belong to the group of helminths. Existing in the body of mammals, fish and humans, they feed on the "host", damaging the body by reducing the nutritional value of food, excreting waste products, reducing immunity and increasing susceptibility to allergens. During the history of the fight against helminthiases, mankind has invented many methods of treatment. We consider the effectiveness of these methods, the effect of prevention in the form of regular intake of pills for worms and separate the truth from the fiction.
Worms: parasites harmful to health
Although in nature there are symbiotic parasites that exist at the expense of the host, but not only cause harm, but also benefit the main body, worms are parasites, the presence of which in the body significantly affects health. In terms of the degree of damage, helminthiases are compared to diseases such as tuberculosis, coronary heart disease, and chronic diarrhea.
Worms are parasites that, even in the initial stage of helminthiasis, can cause disturbances in the functioning of the digestive system, immunity, and allergic reactions. With the development of the disease, anemia, varieties of deficiency conditions are observed due to the consumption of nutrients, vitamins and minerals by helminths, which enter the human body with food.
The group of worms, parasites, helminths includes roundworms, pinworms, nematodes, toxocaras. In terms of the spread of helminthiases, they are compared to infectious diseases, second only to influenza. And the presence of helminths in the body against the background of an acute infectious process can significantly complicate recovery and prolong the disease.
Severe helminthiases also affect reproductive function, they can be the cause of infertility, the birth of children with developmental disabilities. The spread of worms throughout the body becomes the cause of a person's disability.
The prevalence of helminths is most often explained by non-compliance with hygiene standards ("dirty hand disease"), the quality of living conditions and contamination of the territories around livestock farms, both personal and commercial. . Non-compliance with sanitary and hygienic norms: the processing of food, hands, surfaces in public places creates in our climatic conditions a favorable environment for the reproduction of helminths and their transmission from one carrier to another.
Children and the elderly are more susceptible to parasitic diseases due to reduced immune defenses. Children have also not yet acquired the habit of washing their hands, but there is an instinct to examine everything with their mouth, as well as the need to bite their nails and suck their fingers.
Myths and reality: about the treatment and prevention of the disease "helminthiasis".
The existence of various alternative "home" methods for the treatment of helminthiasis, mankind owes to the opinion that it is "shameful" to visit a doctor with such a diagnosis. Therefore, learning of the presence of worms from test results or suspecting helminthiasis themselves from general symptoms, people often try to avoid consulting a specialist by buying "worm pills" at pharmacies or using "folk" treatment methods.
Self-diagnosis is often based on false indications and treatment attempts are harmful to health. One of the common myths says that nocturnal bruxism, grinding of teeth in a dream, is an indisputable sign of the presence of worms in the body, parasites that contribute to restless sleep. This version has not found any confirmation in the course of scientific research, most of the time the cause of bruxism is stress and dysfunctions of the nervous system. And "being treated for worms" in this case doesn't make any sense.
Let's look at some of the common alternative techniques used for helminthiasis.
Eating a large number of vegetables rich in aromatic substances: parsley, dill, celery, coriander has no effect on helminths and other groups of parasites that live in the body and on the surface of the body. In the same way, helminths are indifferent to vegetables, fruits, orange berries, which are also attributed healing properties. A higher amount of vitamins supplied with large amounts of vegetables or pumpkin, sea buckthorn, carrots, persimmons can improve the general condition for a while, but not cure helminthiasis. But hypervitaminosis and indigestion in those who like this method of therapy are quite common. Not to mention the possibility of additional infection when using poorly washed herbs - to get rid of worm eggs, vegetables need to be thoroughly washed several times before eating.
Various types of intestinal lavage, intestinal enemas with lemon juice or garlic promise instant relief from parasites. However, the cavity of the small intestine, the habitat of helminths, is not available for enemas and Esmarch cups. The consequences of such a pseudoscientific method are not a cure for helminthiasis, but a violation of the intestinal microflora with regular enemas and, as a result, the erosion of its mucous surface when using caustic juices.
Dangers of self-prescribed tablets for worms
If folk remedies do not help, then it is necessary to resort to drugs. The tablets for worms, remedies that cure helminthiasis, are quite common and are freely sold in pharmacies.
However, it should be remembered that there are a large number of helminthiases and other parasitoses and, despite the existence of combined action drugs, there is no single "antiparasitic pill". For different types of helminths, different drugs are produced.
In addition, drugs for helminthiasis are quite toxic and have a number of contraindications, both in terms of general health and for periods of age or physiological conditions (pregnancy in different periods). The selection of a suitable drug is carried out by a specialist who takes into account all factors, the degree of infection. In some cases, a course of treatment combining several drugs is needed, additional drugs to help the body during treatment and prevention of the most likely complications.
Helminthiasis prevention in the form of regular deworming medications, which are followed by some people, especially pet breeders, can cause more harm than the initial stage of the disease. The action of anthelmintic drugs is based on the poisoning of parasites, but they are toxic to humans and should not be taken "just in case, for prevention".