Intestinal infections of worms are the most common type of parasitic disease. There is an opinion that more than 90% of the world's population is infected with helminths in one form or another, although this opinion has not been scientifically confirmed. Helminthiasis mainly affects children who ignore the basic rules of personal hygiene. However, it is not uncommon for adults to have parasitic worms in their intestines.
Symptoms and signs of infection
In modern medicine, there are certain opinions about what symptoms indicate a helminthic lesion. However, in fact, the clinical picture of helminthiasis in its entirety is quite rare. More often, the disease is latent, and its symptoms are not specific enough to associate them with worms.
The pathological effect of worms is due to several mechanisms:
- mechanical damage to the intestinal walls;
- toxic effects of parasitic wastes;
- absorption of some of the substances necessary for the human body with food;
- obstruction of the hepatic ducts, intestinal lumen (lumps of worms).
As a rule, helminths do not accumulate in lumps and are located longitudinally in the intestinal lumen. Acute intestinal obstruction occurs only when not properly treated, excited, but not destroyed parasites begin to actively move, mix with each other and form bulky complexes from their bodies.
Helminthiasis has the following symptoms:
- nausea;
- weakness;
- dizziness;
- Vomiting;
- Headache;
- diarrhea;
- lose weight;
- itching in the anus;
- regional lymphadenitis;
- pain in the joints;
- blood hidden in feces;
- signs of inflammation in the small intestine;
- stomach ache.
Some types of helminths can affect the bladder and cause hematuria (blood in the urine), which can penetrate the liver, lungs, muscles and brain. When the lungs are affected, the patient has a debilitating cough, sometimes with sputum mixed with blood.
In children, worms usually cause a decrease in growth and mental development, making the child nervous and anxious. Pinworms coming out of the anus to lay eggs cause severe itching at night and in the evening (the period of greatest activity of worms).
Types of parasites
There are 3 main types of worms in the human body: round, tapeworm and flat.
round worms
The most prominent representatives of the parasite species are pinworms and roundworms. Infection with these helminths accounts for 80% of all helminthiasis detected in the territory of the former CIS countries.
These worms are of different species, have a relatively small body size (1-2 to several tens of centimeters), and the infection occurs through the feces-oral route.
Tapeworms
They are the largest of all parasitic worms. The most popular representatives of the group, pork and cattle tapeworms, can reach 10-15 meters in length.
Reproduction of parasites occurs without the presence of a second individual. Eggs are thrown into the environment with the patient's feces.
flat worms
Small representatives of helminths, as a rule, live in the bile and liver ducts.
Residents of endemic areas may not experience any symptoms of the disease for many years. Infection of a person who has not been exposed to the parasite before causes severe liver disease. Hepatitis can cause gallstones and other symptoms.
Echinococcus
Echinococcus is the only tapeworm that uses humans as an intermediate host.
At this time, the larvae of the parasite enter the bloodstream, spread throughout the body and settle in the tissues, after which they begin to grow. Echinococcal cysts are formed. In this case, worm tablets are practically useless for humans or animals. Finns are removed immediately.
Worm tablets for adults
The vast majority of popular antihelminthic drugs today are based on one of three main ingredients: mebendazole, albendazole or levamisole.
based on mebendazole
Broad-spectrum drugs prescribed to patients suffering from enterobiasis, ascariasis, hookworm disease, trichuria, teniasis, echinococcosis and other helminthic invasions.
Side effects include:
- nausea;
- stomach pain;
- vomiting;
- Headache;
- increase in the amount of liver enzymes in the blood.
Contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women, children under 2 years of age, people suffering from liver disease and alcohol dependence (when drinking large amounts). No laxative is prescribed when prescribing these drugs.
Based on albendazole
The drugs have a wide range of effects, allowing to achieve a therapeutic effect in ascariasis, enterobiosis, tapeworm infection and flat parasites. It is used to treat echinococcosis when surgical treatment is not possible.
The drug is contraindicated in pregnancy, lactation, young children, pathology of the retina and non-helminthic lesions of the liver. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms of the toxic syndrome characteristic of almost all anthelmintic drugs.
Based on levamisole
It is most effective when infected with pinworms and roundworms. They also have a beneficial effect on other diseases of a helminthic nature, but treatment may require a longer course when using analogues.
The drugs have immunostimulatory properties and can be used in cases of moderate immunodeficiency.
Levamizole-based drugs are contraindicated in the following cases:
- pregnancy;
- lactation;
- childhood;
- alcoholism in the binge phase;
- liver disease;
- agranulocytosis.
Levamizol and its derivatives can cause agranulocytosis, nausea, vomiting, depression, dermatitis, anorexia during long-term treatment.
Tablets and suspensions for children
As a rule, treatment of helminthiasis in children over 3-4 years of age can be carried out using the same drugs prescribed for adults. In this case, the dose of the drug should be adjusted according to the age of the child.
You should know that the suspension can be prepared in the form of any tablet to facilitate application. To do this, the required amount of the drug is powdered, added to the required amount of drinking water and mixed thoroughly.
Self-made suspensions cannot be dosed in the same way as factory dosage forms. The required amount of medication is measured before preparing the suspension!
Folk recipes for worms
When answering questions about how to remove worms from a child or adult, it is impossible to recall the methods of folk remedies.
pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds contain a substance called cucurbitin, which has a negative effect on worms. The tool is effective in almost any intestinal helminthiasis. Some sources claim that the effects of cucurbitin extend to intestinal helminths.
Pumpkin seeds should be consumed only raw. Heat treatment destroys the active ingredients in them. In addition, peeling is not recommended. It is better to crush the seeds together with the peel in a blender. The mass can be poured with milk for ease of use.
root
It is not necessary to use carrots as an independent tool for the treatment of helminthiasis, because it is not effective enough. However, as a means of prevention, as an adjuvant in the presence of basic therapy, carrots are very suitable.
You can use carrots in any form that does not require heat treatment. Vegetable dishes are good with pepper or hot spices (Korean style carrots). The plant is given to children in raw, purified form.
Linen
You can remove worms from the intestines using ordinary or black linen. Flax seeds can be crushed and mixed with cinnamon. However, it is better if they are used in the form of infusions. 1-2 tablespoons for its preparation. spoons of crushed seeds in a blender pour a glass of boiling water and leave to infuse. After a few hours, the composition should be filtered and taken on an empty stomach 100 ml twice a day. The course of treatment is until parasitic eggs are found in the feces.
Chamomile decoction
Chamomile decoction can be used in almost unlimited quantities. It does not have a direct anthelmintic effect, but helps to heal micro-cracks in the intestinal mucosa formed by the activity of helminths.
In addition, chamomile contains large amounts of vitamins, natural immunostimulants and other nutrients.
garlic
Garlic is one of the best anthelmintic plants. You can use it in pure form, as well as mixed with milk. The mixture is prepared by squeezing 10-12 drops of garlic juice into a glass of warm boiled milk. Garlic milk should be drunk in the morning on an empty stomach, 1-2 weeks. Garlic is recommended to prevent re-invasion in the future and to improve immunity.
Hemp and flaxseed oil
Hemp, flax, sea buckthorn, cedar and other oils also have anthelmintic effects.
When we remove the worms with folk remedies, the oil should be given twice a day, preferably on an empty stomach, 1 teaspoon shortly before meals. A relative contraindication to the use of this method is severe dyspepsia accompanied by profuse diarrhea. Fasteners should be taken before starting oil treatment.
Tansy
Tansy is one of the most popular anthelmintic drugs known by both folk and traditional medicine.
For the treatment of helminthic infections, the plant can be consumed in powder form (orally, 0, 7-1 g once a day for a week) or in the form of an aqueous decoction. Also, inflorescences are part of many complex means (troychatka).
Tansy is strictly contraindicated for pregnant women and children under 12!
Troichatka
The so-called "Troichatka" contains 1 g of tansy, 0. 5 g of cloves and 0. 3 g of wormwood. All components are powdered and mixed together. The mixture is allowed to use in pure form. In this case, the dose of the drug should be gradually increased, starting from half 0, 7-0, 8 grams per day. Herbs can be mixed with food for ease of use. The composition is accepted for several months.
Sagebrush
In the treatment of helminths in adults, wormwood is often used in the form of alcohol tincture. To do this, the dried grass is crushed, the required amount of powder is measured and poured with vodka in a ratio of 1: 3. Tincture is ready for use in 2-3 weeks. It is necessary to take 30-50 grams twice a day on an empty stomach.
In childhood, wormwood tincture is replaced by infusion, where pure drinking water is used instead of alcohol. The frequency and duration of admission does not change.
Worm enema recipes
Enemas for helminthiasis can produce parasites that have migrated to the rectum for reproduction. Garlic, soda enemas and tansy enemas are used.
Enemas with garlic
A decoction of garlic is used to make an enema. Pour a few cloves of the plant with water and boil for 2-3 minutes. The garlic pulp is then removed, the broth is cooled, filtered, and then injected into the rectum with a syringe.
Garlic enemas are not given to children under 3 years of age. Also, such treatment is useless for tissue parasites, tapeworms localized in the hepatic ducts, tapeworms. The procedure is performed before bedtime. It is recommended to put a cleansing enema in advance.
soda enema
The solution is made from a glass of water and 0. 5 teaspoons of baking soda. The powder is dissolved and boiled for five minutes. After cooling, the solution is filtered and injected into the rectum before bedtime.
There is no age limit. To build an enema for very young children, its volume should be compared with the size of the child's body. The course of treatment consists of 6-7 procedures.
Enemas with tansy
The solution is prepared from crushed tansy inflorescences. To do this, pour 2–3 tablespoons of powder in a glass of boiling water and insist half an hour. The solution is then filtered through gauze and injected into the rectum. The course of treatment is 1-2 weeks.
Enemas with tansy are contraindicated for children under 14 years!
Prevention
The key to preventing worms is clean hands. Therefore, a child, like an adult, must follow the basic rules of personal hygiene.
The second basic principle of prevention is an annual medical examination with mandatory examination of feces for the presence of helminth eggs. Prophylactic courses of treatment are recommended only in the absence of contraindications and with the use of low-toxic substances. Otherwise, very toxic drugs will do more harm than good!