The history of helminthology goes back thousands of years.
The first documents describing parasites in the human body, classified as roundworms according to the modern classification, date back to the 6th century BC.
Hippocrates introduced the term "helminth", which is ubiquitous today.
Since then, information about parasites has been accumulating.
Now there are more than 100 thousand species.
This variety of helminths is classified as lower worms of the type scolecida (lat. Scolecida).
They are divided into four classes:
- is a class of cestodes (tapeworms) and trematodes (flukes);
- roundworms, including one broad class of nematodes;
- spiny worms;
- analysis.
The human body is parasitized by helminths of the first two types (more than 250 species in total).Helminths spend the main stages of their life cycle in the body of humans or animals, known as their hosts.
All parasites are divided into two large groups:
- geohelminths,their development begins in the external environment and ends in the tissues of the "host";
- biohelminths,their life activity occurs only in living organisms, and during the development process such worms can change several "hosts".
There is also a group of so-called infectious helminths.These parasites in the human body can be transmitted through close contact with an infected person;this type includes pinworms and dwarf tapeworms.
The most common nematode helminthic infestations are:
- ascariasis, caused by human roundworm;
- toxocariasis, which occurs when roundworms enter the intestines of animals;
- trichocephalosis, develops due to whipworm infestation;
- enterobiasis caused by pinworms;
- hookworm, their appearance is due to the parasitism of the hookworm and nectator;
- strongyloidiasis, the cause of which is intestinal acne;
- trichostrongylidosis caused by parasites of the same name;
- trichinosis caused by one of the four types of Trichinella;
- filariasis, their cause is filariae, also known as filaments.
Among cesodiases the following diseases are distinguished:
- diphyllobothriasis, causative agent - broad tapeworm;
- teniarinhoz caused by bovine tapeworm;
- taeniasis or cysticercosis caused by pork tapeworm;
- hymenolepidosis, causative agent - dwarf tapeworm;
- dipilidiasis caused by canine tapeworm parasitism;
- echinococcosis, the cause of the disease is echinococcus or echinococcal tapeworm;
- alveococcosis, causative agent - alveococcus.
Of the trematodes, the following helminthiases are often diagnosed:
- fascioliasis, causative agent - Fasciola vulgaris;
- opisthorchiasis, the cause of which is the parasitism of the cat flu;
- clonorchiasis caused by Chinese fluke;
- metagonimiasis, causative agent - metagonimus;
- schistosomiasis (genitourinary, intestinal, Japanese), caused by parasites of the same name.
A separate group includes the so-called protozoal diseases due to the presence of unicellular protozoa: amoebas, malarial plasmodium, trypanosomes, lamblia, toxoplasma, trichomonas.
The average person has no idea how many parasites they have to deal with every day.These microorganisms are present everywhere: in the soil, sandboxes, rails, common household items, toys, towels in swimming pools, baths and saunas, ponds, on the fur, paws and saliva of pets.However, the transformation of larvae and eggs into sexually mature individuals does not always occur.In the vast majority of cases, in the body of a healthy person, parasites die and are eliminated from the intestines.
However, in the tissues of children, immunocompromised people, diseases of the digestive tract, and the endocrine system, further transformation of worm larvae into adult males and females occurs.
Their life activity is accompanied by:
- metabolic disorders;
- vitamin deficiency;
- mineral and protein deficiency;
- the formation of an allergic response, which is fraught with the development of autoimmune processes;
- negative impact of toxic waste products helminths.
In addition, almost all parasites cause mechanical damage to various tissues at each stage of their life cycle.Larvae of many worms (strongyloides, schistosomes and others) during their introduction into the body overcome the integrity of the skin and mucous membranes.The dwarf tapeworm changes the structure of the epithelium of the small intestine to the deeper layers.With echinococcosis and alveococcosis, when the larvae grow, there is mechanical compression of the surrounding tissues, usually the liver, which causes jaundice.
The gastrointestinal tract is actively washed with blood.Through its walls, worms enter the main blood vessels, and from there into almost any organ.The localization of the main focus of parasite development determines the main symptoms of the disease.The invasion of helminths affects in one way or the functioning of all organs and systems: immune, nervous, circulatory, digestive.
The severity of the lesion and the clinical symptoms, the method of treatment depends on the type of parasite.In most cases pinworms and roundworms interfere with the digestive tract and are relatively "harmless".And protozoa can enter the body (for example, amoebas) meningoencephalitis, pericardial pathologies and death.Parasites settle in the skin, organs of vision, brain, and muscle tissue.
To remove some helminths, you can use folk remedies (pumpkin seeds, cleaning enemas with garlic and soda, adding infusions with celandine, ginger root, tansy and other medicinal plants).But in the presence of severe and massive infestation, herbs, homeopathic drops and herbal supplements cannot be used.To destroy worms, long-term drug therapy is needed, and help to restore the basic functions of the digestive tract.
The development of helminthiasis can only be prevented by following certain preventive measures.
However, to prevent infection, it is necessary to know the main ways in which parasites appear in the human body:
- Mouth through hands, unwashed food, wool, feathers of domestic animals and birds, on which parasite eggs and larvae are present as well as soil particles.In this way you can be infected with ascariasis, enterobiasis, and giardiasis.
- Xenotrophic when meat, milk, fish and non-thermally processed seafood are consumed as food.This route of transmission is typical for trichinosis and taeniasis.
- Contact, for example, through the pores of the skin, schistosomes enter the body (they live in warm climates).
- Transmitted through the blood by insect bites (for example, filariasis).
- Transplanted from mother to fetus, this is how toxoplasmosis is transmitted.
Taking into account the realities of modern home medicine, they try to postpone a visit to the doctor until the last minute, especially since medicines to get rid of helminthiasis can be bought without a prescription at every pharmacy.But everything is not as simple as it seems at first glance.The methods of combating parasites are not the same in their therapeutic activity;in addition, different types of worms "require" individual selection of dose and duration of treatment.
Therefore, if you suspect that there are parasites in the human body, you must contact a specialist.The algorithm of its actions is as follows:
- examination of the patient and collection of anamnesis (for example, recent return from foreign countries requires special studies to identify the pest);
- general blood test, stool, appointment coprogram;
- blood test for the presence of specific antibodies, this analysis will accurately determine the causative agent of the disease;
- assessment of the condition of the internal organs, the presence of abscesses, ulcers, and necrotic areas caused by parasites;
- identification of possible concomitant diseases that may be contraindications to the prescription of certain medications.
This is important!
Self-treatment of helminthic infestation is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.
Signs of parasites in the body depending on the site of localization
Many pinpoint hemorrhages are accompanied by tissue damage by helminths.This causes anemia, weakness, fatigue, and reduced performance.Due to disruption of metabolic processes and absorption of vitamins and minerals, the condition of the skin, nails and hair deteriorates.A person loses weight quickly and often suffers from viral and infectious diseases.
Also, the life activity of most pathogenic microorganisms occurs with the release of toxins.The immune system reacts to their appearance accordingly, so if there are parasites in the human body, signs of an allergic reaction will certainly be present.Clinical symptoms of general intoxication also develop, which manifest themselves in the form of malaise, irritability, insomnia, nervous disorders, and deterioration of well-being.
The development of parasitic invasion in the tissues of the human heart occurs against the background of severe disturbances in the functioning of the myocardium.
Patients complain of:
- shortness of breath;
- change in heart rate;
- feeling of lack of air;
- feeling of discomfort and heaviness in the chest.
An inflammatory process can cause pericarditis or myocarditis.These diseases are accompanied by increased body temperature and severe pain in the heart area.
Epidermal helminthiasis is relatively rare.As a rule, they develop against the background of damage to the intestines and other internal organs.
Signs of parasites in the body may look like this when certain worms infect the skin:
- ulcerations in areas of contact with feces;
- the appearance of an itchy rash;
- swelling and redness, sometimes during the migration of helminths;
- the formation of swellings that are similar to wen in appearance;
- the appearance of purulent acne.
Symptoms of parasites entering the eye depend on several factors.If the helminth "lives" under the skin of the eyelid, its movements can be felt or even seen.However, when worms move deeper into the optic nerve system, there is a risk of strabismus, significant visual impairment, and limited visibility.Without proper treatment, the development of helminthiasis in the eye can lead to irreversible blindness.
The gastrointestinal tract is the habitat of the vast majority of helminths.That is why, if parasites appear in the human body, symptoms appear mainly from the digestive system.
The patient usually complains of:
- pain of varying intensity and discomfort in the abdominal area;
- diarrhea, which can be replaced by constipation, this is especially typical in the early stages of infection;
- a mixture of mucus and blood in the stool;
- painful spasms occurred at the same time as the urge to defecate;
- decrease or lack of appetite;
- flatulence, bloating.
As a result of disturbance of the digestive glands, a person always feels heaviness in the stomach.In some cases, a ball of roundworms can cause intestinal obstruction.
The entry of worms into the hematopoietic system is accompanied by disturbances throughout the body.Moreover, sometimes such an invasion is not manifested in the form of external signs.However, due to the destruction of red blood cells and other formation elements, frequent headaches, dizziness, drowsiness occur, despite the fulfillment of the daily routine, constant weakness, and intolerance to physical activity.
Also, signs of parasites in the body in the circulatory system accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes and worsening of chronic diseases.The size of the liver and spleen increases, and the body temperature often rises.
The doctors emphasized that the discovery of a foreign "creature" in the body should not be a cause for panic.Modern medicines make it possible to clean all organs of helminths quickly and without side effects and completely restore their functioning.
Human parasites: methods of treatment and prevention
Recently, some private clinics announced that a new safe method has been created to fight worms - bioresonance therapy.The principle of this treatment is based on the laws of physics.According to the theory of the developers of this method, each cell of our body is not motionless in one place, but is in a continuous vibration mode, emitting electromagnetic waves.Their length is individual for each internal organ.
Human parasites are no exception, but the resonance of their movements is different from that of our body tissues.During a bioresonance therapy session, metal electrodes are applied to certain biologically active points.They send waves of a given length, which do not affect the functioning of one's own cells, but destroy the bodies of parasites.
The advantages of bioresonance therapy include safety and painlessness.However, the clinical effectiveness of this treatment method has not been proven, and the treatment equipment does not have the appropriate certifications.But exposure to electromagnetic waves will do no harm and cause no complications.
Actually there are not so many medicines that are used to get rid of helminths and protozoa.The doctor chooses the dose of the medicines, the regimen and the duration of their use depending on the age of the patient, the severity of the invasion and the presence of concomitant pathologies.
For relatively mild helminthic infestation, it is recommended to use traditional medicine recipes.These products can be easily prepared at home, and the components are sold at any pharmacy.
To expel helminths from the intestines, healers recommend:
- Eat as much onion, garlic, ginger, and pomegranate as possible.
- Buy regular cloves, used in cooking.It is ground in a coffee grinder and taken according to the following scheme: on the first day 0.5 g, on the second - 1 g, and from the third to the ninth - 1.5 g in the morning on an empty stomach.
- Pour a tablespoon of crushed and dried nettle roots into a glass of boiling water and simmer in a water bath for 15 minutes.Leave until completely cooled and take 3 tbsp.l.three times a day before meals.
- Mix aloe and onion juice in equal proportions, add honey and take a tablespoon 3 times a day for several weeks.
- Mix 10 tbsp.l.flax seeds and 1 tbsp.l.cloves, grind and take at the rate of 2.5 g of powder per 1 kg of body weight.
- Mix grated coconut pulp and coconut milk.Use this mixture 1 tsp.three times a day on an empty stomach.
Almost the only way to prevent human parasites from appearing in the intestines and other tissues is to strictly adhere to the rules of hygiene, known to everyone from early childhood.This is washing your hands before eating, after visiting the toilet, and returning for a walk.Cleaning drinking water, milk, meat, fish, and fresh vegetables and fruits from contaminants also requires careful thermal treatment.
But human parasites appear at every stage, so it is almost impossible to avoid them.To prevent serious invasion complications, it is necessary to strengthen the immune defense and monitor the condition of the digestive tract.When the first signs of helminthiasis appear, you must consult a doctor, take the prescribed tests and complete the entire course of treatment with mandatory monitoring of its effectiveness.