Intestinal worm infections are the most common type of parasitic disease. It has been suggested that in one form or another more than 90% of the world's population is infected with helminths, although this view has not been scientifically confirmed. Mostly helminthiasis affects children ignoring the basic rules of personal hygiene. However, the presence of parasitic worms in the intestines of adults is not uncommon.
Symptoms and signs of infection
In modern medicine, there are several opinions about what symptoms indicate a helminthic lesion. In practice, however, the clinical picture of trichiasis is extremely rare in its full form. Often, the disease is latent and its signs are not specific enough to link them to worms.
The pathological effects of worms are due to several mechanisms:
- mechanical damage to the intestinal wall;
- toxic effects of parasitic waste;
- partial absorption of substances necessary for the human body in food;
- Obstruction of the hepatic duct, intestinal lumen (worms).
As a rule, helminths do not gather in lumps, but lie along the intestinal lumen. Acute intestinal obstruction develops only with improper treatment, when alarmed, the unkilled parasites begin to actively migrate, entangle and form volumetric complexes from their bodies.
Helminthiases have some of the following symptoms:
- nausea;
- weak;
- dizzy;
- vomiting;
- headache;
- diarrhea;
- losing weight;
- itching in the anus;
- regional lymphadenitis;
- pain in the joints;
- hidden blood in the stool;
- signs of inflammation in the small intestine;
- stomachache.
Certain types of helminths can affect the bladder and cause hematuria (hematuria) and invade the liver, lungs, muscles, and brain. When the lungs are affected, the patient develops a debilitating cough, sometimes with bloody sputum.
Worms in children often lead to decreased growth and brain development, making children anxious and restless. Pinworms crawl out of the anus to lay eggs, causing itching much at night and in the evening (the period when the worms are most active).
Types of parasites
In the human body, there are 3 main types of parasitic worms: round, ice and flat.
roundworm
The most prominent representatives of parasitic species are pinworms and roundworms. Infection with these helminths accounts for 80% of helminthic infections in the territory of the former CIS countries.
These worms are of the opposite sex, have a relatively small body size (from 1-2 to several tens of centimeters), infect by fecal-oral route.
Tapeworms
They are the largest of the parasitic worms. The most famous representatives of the group, pork and bovine tapeworms, can reach a length of 10-15 meters.
Reproduction of the parasite occurs without the involvement of a second individual. Eggs are released into the environment along with the feces of the infected person.
flatworms
Small representatives of helminths, which live, as a rule, in the bile ducts and liver.
Residents of endemic areas may not cause any symptoms of the disease for many years. In the case of an infection of a person who has not previously been exposed to the parasites, they lead to severe liver diseases. May cause hepatitis, manifestations of gallstone disease and other symptoms.
Echinococcus
Echinococcus is the only tapeworm species that uses humans as an intermediate host.
In this case, the larvae of the parasite enter the bloodstream, spread throughout the body and settle in tissues, after which they begin to develop. Follicles are formed. In this case, tablets from worms to humans or animals are practically useless. Finland is eliminated in time.
Tablets from worms for adults
Most of today's popular anthelmintics are created on the basis of one of three main substances: mebendazole, albendazole or levamisole.
based on mebendazole
Broad-spectrum drugs are prescribed for patients with helminthiasis, ascariasis, strongyloidiasis, trichiasis, teniasis, echinococcosis, and other invasive helminthic diseases.
Side effects include:
- nausea;
- stomachache;
- vomiting;
- headache;
- increase the amount of liver enzymes in the blood.
Contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women, children under 2 years old, people with liver disease, alcoholism (during drunkenness). Laxatives are not prescribed when prescribing these funds.
Based on albendazole
The drug has a broad effect, which allows you to achieve a therapeutic effect in ascariasis, intestinal worms, tapeworm infections and flatworms. Used to treat echinococcosis when it cannot be treated with surgery.
The drug is contraindicated for pregnant women, nursing mothers, young children, retinopathy and non-helminthic liver damage. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, and other signs of toxic syndrome, which are characteristic of most anthelmintics.
Based on levamisole
Most effective when infected with pinworms and roundworms. In other diseases of a helminthic nature, they also have a necessary effect; however, a longer course of treatment may be required than with the use of analogues.
The drug has immunostimulating properties and can be used as such in cases of moderate immunodeficiency.
Means based on levamisole are contraindicated in the following conditions:
- pregnancy;
- Breastfeeding;
- childhood;
- alcoholism during the intoxication phase;
- liver failure;
- agranulocytosis.
Levamisole and its derivatives with long-term treatment can cause agranulocytosis, nausea, vomiting, depression, dermatitis, anorexia.
Tablets and suspension for children
As a rule, the treatment of helminthiasis in children over 3-4 years old can be carried out using the same drugs prescribed for adults. In this case, the dosage of the drug should be adjusted according to the age of the child.
You should note that for ease of administration, the suspension can be made from any tablet agent. To do this, the required amount of the drug is ground into a powder, added to the required amount of drinking water and mixed well.
Homemade suspensions cannot be dosed in the same way that factory dosage forms are dosed. The amount of drug required is measured before preparing the suspension!
Folk recipes for worms
Answering the question of how to get rid of worms of children or adults, it is impossible not to mention folk methods of healing.
Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds contain cucurbitin, a substance that has an adverse effect on worms. This tool is effective against almost any intestinal helminth. Some sources suggest that the action of cucurbitin may lead to extra-gastrointestinal helminths.
Pumpkin seeds should only be consumed raw. Heat treatment destroys the active ingredients in them. In addition, it is not recommended to remove the shell. It is better if the seeds are ground in a blender along with the shell. For ease of use, the mass can be poured with milk.
Carrot
It is not necessary to use carrot as an independent remedy for the treatment of helminthiasis, as it is not effective enough for this. However, as a means of prevention, as well as an auxiliary in the presence of basic therapy, carrots are quite suitable.
You can use carrots in any form without any heat treatment. Preferably dishes, which include a vegetable, will have hot pepper or seasoning (Korean-style carrots). The plant is given to children in its raw, pure form.
Linen
You can get rid of worms from your intestines by using plain or black flaxseed. Flaxseed can be used crushed and mixed with cinnamon. However, it is better if they are used as an infusion. For its preparation 1-2 tbsp. Fennel seeds crushed in a blender are poured with a cup of boiling water and left to infuse. After a few hours, the preparation should be filtered and taken 100 ml twice a day on an empty stomach. The course of treatment is until the parasite eggs are no longer found in the stool.
Chrysanthemum water
Chrysanthemum decoction can be used in almost unlimited quantities. It does not have a direct anthelmintic effect, however, it promotes the healing of cracks in the intestinal mucosa, which are formed by helminthic activity.
In addition, chamomile contains a large amount of vitamins, natural immunostimulants and other beneficial substances.
Garlic
Garlic is one of the best anti-helminthic plants. You can use it in its pure form, as well as mix it with milk. The mixture is prepared by squeezing 10-12 drops of garlic juice into a glass of warm boiled milk. Need to drink garlic milk in the morning on an empty stomach for 1-2 weeks. In the future, to prevent re-introduction and improve immunity, garlic is recommended.
Hemp and Flaxseed Oils
Hemp, flaxseed, sea buckthorn, cedar, and other oils also work against helminths.
When deworming with folk remedies, the oil should be given 1 teaspoon x 2 times / day, preferably on an empty stomach, just before meals. A relative contraindication to the use of this method is severe dyspepsia, accompanied by profuse diarrhea. Before starting to process the oil, it is recommended to use fixatives.
Wormwood plant
Tansy is one of the most popular dewormers recognized by both folk and traditional medicine.
For the treatment of helminth infections, the plant can be consumed as a powder (orally 0. 7-1 g 1 time per day for a week) or in the form of a decoction. In addition, the inflorescence is part of many complex remedies (troychatka).
Tansy is absolutely contraindicated for pregnant women and children under 12 years old!
Troychatka
The composition of the so-called "troychatka" includes 1 g of fenugreek, 0. 5 g of cloves and 0. 3 g of wormwood. All ingredients are ground into powder and mixed together. It is allowed to use the mixture inside in its pure form. In this case, the dosage of the drug should be gradually increased, starting from half 0. 7-0. 8 grams per day. For ease of use, herbs can be mixed with food. Preparations are made for several months.
Sage
Wormwood in the treatment of helminthiasis in adults is often used in the form of tinctures. To do this, the hay is crushed, the required amount of powder is measured, and vodka is poured in a ratio of 1: 3. The tincture is ready for use in 2-3 weeks. It is necessary to drink it on an empty stomach, twice a day.
In childhood, tincture of wormwood was replaced by an infusion, where purified drinking water was used instead of alcohol. The frequency and duration of reception did not change.
Recipes for worms
Dewormers can remove parasites that have moved into the rectum to reproduce. Garlic, soda enemas and tansy douches are used.
Healing with garlic
To place an enema, a decoction of garlic is used. Pour a few cloves with water and boil for 2-3 minutes. Then, remove the garlic pulp, cool the broth, filter it, and then use a syringe to inject into the rectum.
Do not give garlic enema to children under 3 years of age. In addition, this type of treatment has no effect on tissue parasites, tapeworms, localized in the hepatic duct, tapeworms. The procedure is carried out before going to bed. Preliminarily it is recommended to place a cleansing enema.
soda enema
The solution is prepared from a glass of water and 0. 5 tablespoons of baking soda. The powder is dissolved and boiled for five minutes. After the solution cools, filter and inject into the rectum at bedtime.
There is no age limit here. To order an enema for a young child, its volume must be compared with the child's body size. The course of treatment includes 6-7 procedures.
Enema with tansy
The solution is prepared from crushed burgundy inflorescences. To do this, pour 2-3 tablespoons of powder with a cup of boiling water and press for half an hour. The solution is then filtered through gauze and injected into the rectum. The course of treatment is 1-2 weeks.
Enema with tansy is contraindicated for children under 14 years of age!
Prevent
The basis for the prevention of worms is clean hands. Therefore, a child, like an adult, must observe the basic rules of personal hygiene.
The second basic principle of disease prevention is annual physical examination with mandatory examination of feces for helminth eggs. Prophylactic courses are recommended only in the absence of contraindications and the use of substances of low toxicity. Otherwise, highly toxic drugs will do more harm than good!