Helminthiases are very common. Children are more often sick, as they come into contact with animals and do not always follow the rules of hygiene. People are usually infected with pinworms - these are the most common parasites. Knowing how to remove worms from a person at home, you can quickly improve the patient's condition.
How worms manifest themselves: a brief description of the symptoms
The symptomatology of helminthiasis is nonspecific. It is often confused with other diseases. For a long time, most parasitic elements do not give a clear picture of the disease, since the main focus of the parasite is its very presence in the human body, which is absolutely invisible to itself. In this regard, the distinct symptoms of the disease can be noticed only when multiple infections occur or there is a decrease in the activity of the body's immune functions, or there are underlying pathologies that bring helminthic invasion to the fore.
The following main symptoms of the disease are distinguished:
- Violation of metabolic processes (increased appetite with constant weight).
- Increased secretion of the salivary glands.
- Dyspeptic symptoms, bloating, indigestion, vomiting, abdominal pain.
- Migraine, dizziness, lethargy, weakness.
- Manifestation of hypersensitivity reactions, which were not previously noted, or exacerbation of existing reactions.
- Hypersensitivity, irritability, insomnia, memory and attention disorders, caused by the activity of parasitic organisms.
- Deterioration of the condition of hair and nails with vitamin and mineral deficiency.
- Increased inflammation of the nasopharynx and genitals.
Most often, experts note that with helminthiasis, patients experience malfunctions in the digestive system and the further emergence and development of diseases, poisoning with toxins, a decrease in the level of hemoglobin and erythrocytes, an increased risk of viral diseases and even possible disorders of the nervous system.
Identify helminths at home
The most effective diagnostic method is the laboratory test. But not always a person has the opportunity to consult a doctor for this. In this case, you need to rely on your feelings and new symptoms.
If you want to determine the presence of helminthiasis, you can examine the anamnestic data. For example, the patient likes to eat unwashed fruits or vegetables. They are also often infected after contact with cats or dogs, as they are often a source of parasites. Patients often prefer to eat foods that did not undergo sufficient heat treatment before the disease.
The patient can also be told that he has lost a lot of weight in a short period of time. But such a state in the case of helminthiasis is unmotivated, that is, it does not depend on the nature of the diet and physical activity. A specific symptom of enterobiasis (pinworm infection) is teeth grinding at night. You may also notice itching in the anal canal and the release of helminth particles from the anus.
Removal of worms from the body
To get rid of worms, many tools are used. The most effective are pharmacological agents. They are specifically designed to destroy such parasites, and new drugs have a minimal amount of pathological consequences. A significant drawback of this treatment is drug toxicity. Most of them are contraindicated in case of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
In addition, folk remedies for worms are used, in adults they are more effective. Diet can also help against parasites. But it doesn't always drive away parasites; in most cases, their vital activity is interrupted.
Particular attention should be paid to the treatment of pregnant women and children. They have the lowest immune activity, which contributes to the more active development of helminths in the body.
Pharmacological agents
Drug treatment is considered the most effective. It is recommended to take some products only once. The dosage is calculated based on the age and weight of the patient. This principle is very important, since the success of the therapy depends on it.
An anthelmintic drug that acts on roundworms is considered to be the safest anthelmintic drug. In special dosages, it is also allowed for pregnant women and young children. Its action extends to trichocephalosis, ascariasis, enterobiasis and some others. When infected with roundworms and pinworms, it is enough to take them once. In the case of other pathologies, the course of treatment can last up to two or three days.
As part of another anthelmintic drug, the active ingredient is levamisole hydrochloride. The greatest activity when taking the drug is observed in case of ascariasis, hookworm, enterobiasis and some other invasions. The tablets can be taken by children from the age of three. Common side effects include gastrointestinal dysfunction and headache.
The largest spectrum of action is observed for benzimidazole derivatives. But they cause a lot of side effects.
Warning! Drugs are especially dangerous for patients with liver disease.
ethnoscience
Currently, there are many effective methods of treating this pathology using synthetic drugs. But drugs have a large number of side effects, are ineffective in treatment, and sometimes do not suit a particular person at all (contraindications, intolerance to one or more components of a particular drug). Therefore, in such cases, you can turn to traditional medicine, which has a huge selection of natural remedies in its arsenal to combat this type of disease.
The main advantages of folk remedies are the natural basis, which reduces the presence of side effects to zero, as well as the presence of bioactive compounds that reduce the severity of inflammatory and allergic processes.
The most commonly used products are absinthe. This plant has many effective substances that disrupt the nervous activity of helminths and contribute to their excretion from the body. You can prepare infusions and powders. It is optimal to take medicines with wormwood in the morning before breakfast.
Home treatment of helminths in children
If the family has a child, it is important to know how to properly get rid of worms in this case. The child's body is less active in the fight against worms. In addition, the use of certain medications can harm the baby and aggravate the situation.
Most often, parents choose ways to expel the parasite as soon as possible so that the baby is better off. With some types of helminthiasis, this tactic is correct. For example, with enterobiasis, that is, damage to the body with pinworms, it is possible to take an anthelmintic drug in an age-specific dosage. In the case of such a disease, a single dose is sufficient. For some other diseases (for example, whipworm), longer treatment is required.
Warning! For the treatment of a child, the use of recipes for alternative therapy is contraindicated.
Treatment of worms during pregnancy
Therapy of helminthiasis during the period of pregnancy is not always recommended. It all depends on the type of pathology and the duration of pregnancy. If treatment is required, it is necessary to resort to this only after consulting a doctor.
If a woman is afraid of using pharmacological drugs, you can take one of the popular recipes. The advice to eat raw pumpkin seeds is popular. They can be peeled and mashed and eaten a few tablespoons four times a day. To improve the taste, it is recommended to add a little honey.
A good effect is manifested in the case of an unpleasant procedure - enemas. But the implementation of such treatment requires consultation with specialists in order not to harm the baby. Enemas can be prepared with milk and garlic. To prepare the product, boil some vegetable wedges in a glass of milk and cool to room temperature. The duration of using a cleansing enema is 5 days.
Diet for helminthiasis
The diet should include as many foods as possible that are not entirely pleasant for parasites. For example, chanterelles contain a specific substance - quinomannose. This chemical compound has a destructive activity: the structure of the shell of helminth eggs changes, causing their death. In addition, this substance inhibits the vital activity of young and adult individuals of worms.
The use of some delicacies also has a positive effect on the process of treating helminthiasis. It is customary to include these products:
- Strawberries.
- Melon.
- Apricot.
- Watermelon.
- Fresh carrots.
Among the recommended products is fermented milk. Kefir and whey normalize the functioning of the liver, improve the activity of the intestinal tract. The liver must be included in the diet, as helminths often cause anemia. Foods containing a large amount of vitamins and minerals should also be on the menu.
Sample menu in the presence of worms
Nutrition for helminthiasis plays an important role in therapy. Properly selected menu can prevent complications of the disease and smooth out symptoms.
For breakfast, experts recommend using cottage cheese. You can add a fruity mix and don't forget the melon or strawberries. You can drink unsweetened tea. For a second breakfast you can use homemade yogurt or fermented cooked milk.
For lunch, you can eat light vegetable soup with the addition of lean chicken meat. It is useful to supplement it with cabbage and carrot salad. Pineapple is recommended for dessert. It is recommended to replace dinner with a glass of yogurt or kefir during the treatment.
Foods dangerous for worms
The use of some dishes is completely contraindicated in helminthiasis. Most often this is due to the fact that they disrupt the activity of the intestine affected by the worms due to the fermentation processes. First of all, this applies to foods rich in carbohydrates:
- Potatoes.
- Flour products.
- Some cereals.
Also, during therapy, it is recommended to exclude alcoholic beverages. Even lovers of semi-raw meat should refuse such dishes, as they often contain worm eggs. This causes a new infection. Pastry is also strictly prohibited.
Preventive principles
The methods of preventing infection are quite simple, but few follow them. This explains the widespread prevalence of worm infestation. Just don't forget these rules:
- Compliance with hygiene rules.
- Sufficient heat treatment of meat and fish.
- Rinse before eating fruits and vegetables.
- Timely deworming in pets.
- Maintain cleanliness in the house.
These general preventive measures can save a family from an unpleasant disease - helminthiasis. Compliance with hygiene rules is the fundamental principle of prevention.