Helminthiasis is very common. Children are most often ill because they come into contact with animals and do not always follow hygiene rules. Usually people are infected with pinworms - these are the most common parasites. By knowing how to remove worms from a person at home, you can quickly improve the patient's condition.
How worms manifest: a brief description of the symptoms
The symptoms of helminthiasis are nonspecific. It is often confused with other diseases. For a long time, most parasitic elements do not give a clear picture of the disease, as the main purpose of the pest is its very presence in the human body, which is absolutely invisible to itself. In this regard, individual symptoms of the disease can be observed only when a multiple infection occurs or there is a decrease in the activity of the body's immune functions, or there are background pathologies that bring the helminth invasion to the fore.
The following main symptoms of the disease are distinguished:
- Disorder of metabolic processes (increased appetite with constant weight).
- Increased secretion of salivary glands.
- Dyspeptic symptoms, bloating, indigestion, vomiting, abdominal pain.
- Migraine, dizziness, lethargy, weakness.
- Manifestation of hypersensitivity reactions that have not been reported before, or exacerbation of existing reactions.
- Hypersensitivity, irritability, insomnia, memory and attention disorders caused by the activity of parasitic organisms.
- Deterioration of hair and nails with a lack of vitamins and minerals.
- Increased inflammation of the nasopharynx and genitals.
Most often, experts note that in helminthiasis patients experience disorders of the digestive system and the further onset and development of diseases, toxin poisoning, decreased hemoglobin and red blood cells, increased risk of viral diseases and even possible disorders of the nervous system. .
Identification of helminths at home
The most effective diagnostic method is laboratory testing. But not always a person has the opportunity to consult a doctor about it. In this case, you need to rely on your feelings and new symptoms.
If you want to determine the presence of helminthiasis, you can look at the anamnestic data. For example, the patient likes to eat unwashed vegetables or fruits. They are often infected after contact with cats or dogs, as they are often a source of pests. Patients often prefer to eat foods that have not undergone sufficient heat treatment before the disease.
Also, the patient can be told that he has lost a lot of weight in a short period of time. But such a condition in the case of helminthiasis is unmotivated, ie does not depend on the nature of the diet and physical activity. A specific symptom of enterobiosis (pinworm infection) is grinding teeth at night. You may also notice itching in the anal canal and helminth particles coming out of the anus.
Removal of worms from the body
Many tools are used to get rid of worms. Pharmacological agents are the most effective. They are designed specifically to kill such pests, and new drugs have a minimal amount of pathological effects. A significant disadvantage of this treatment is the toxicity of the drugs. Most of them are contraindicated in case of childbirth and breastfeeding.
In addition, folk remedies are used to treat worms, in adults they are more effective. Diet can also help against parasites. But it does not always expel parasites; in most cases, their vital activity is disrupted.
Particular attention should be paid to the treatment of pregnant women and children. They have the reduced activity of the immune system, which contributes to the more active development of helminths in the body.
Pharmacological agents
Pharmacological treatment is considered the most effective. Some products are recommended to be taken only once. The dosage is calculated depending on the age and weight of the patient. This principle is very important because the success of the therapy depends on it.
An anthelmintic that acts on nematodes is considered the safest anthelmintic. In special dosages is allowed even for pregnant women and young children. Its action extends to trichocephaly, ascariasis, enterobiosis and some others. When infected with roundworms and pinworms, it is enough to take once. In the case of other pathologies, the course of treatment can last up to two to three days.
As part of another anthelmintic, the active ingredient is levamisole hydrochloride. The greatest activity when taking the drug is observed in the case of ascariasis, hookworm, enterobiosis 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 highest spectrum of action is observed with benzimidazole derivatives. But they cause many side effects.
Attention! Medications are especially dangerous for patients with liver disease.
ethnoscience
There are currently many effective methods of treating this pathology with the help of synthetic drugs. But drugs have a large number of side effects, are ineffective in treatment and sometimes do not respond to a particular person (contraindications, intolerance to one or more components of a particular drug). Therefore, in such cases you can turn to traditional medicine, which has in its arsenal a huge selection of natural remedies 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 wormwood. 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 wormwood medicines 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. Also, the use of certain medications can harm the baby and make the situation worse.
Most often, parents choose ways to expel the parasite as soon as possible so that the child recovers. In some types of helminthiasis, this tactic is correct. For example, in enterobiosis, ie damage to the body with pinworms, you can take an anthelmintic drug in an age-specific dose. In the case of such a disease, a single dose is sufficient. Some other diseases (eg trichocephalus) require longer treatment.
Attention! For the treatment of a child the use of prescriptions for alternative therapy is contraindicated.
Treatment of worms during pregnancy
Treatment of helminthiasis during the birth of a baby is not always recommended. It all depends on the type of pathology and the duration of pregnancy. If treatment is needed, it should be resorted to only after consulting a doctor.
If a woman is afraid to use pharmacological drugs, you can take one of the folk recipes. Tips for eating raw pumpkin seeds are popular. They can be peeled and crushed and consumed in several spoons 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 so as not to harm the baby. Enemas can be prepared with milk and garlic. To prepare the product, a few cloves of vegetables are boiled in a glass of milk and cooled to room temperature. The duration of use of a cleansing enema is 5 days.
Diet for helminthiasis
The diet should include as many foods as possible that are not very pleasant for the parasites. For example, chanterelle mushrooms contain a specific substance - quinomanosis. This chemical compound has a destructive activity - the structure of the shell of helminth eggs changes, which provokes their death. Also, this substance inhibits the vital activity of young and adult individuals by worms.
The use of some delicacies also has a positive effect on the treatment of helminthiasis. It is common to include these products:
- Berries.
- Melon.
- Apricot.
- Melon.
- Fresh carrots.
Among the recommended products are fermented milk. Kefir and whey normalize the functioning of the liver, improve the activity of the intestinal tract. The liver should be included in the diet, as helminths often cause anemia. Foods high in vitamins and minerals should also be on the menu.
Sample menu in the presence of worms
Nutrition in helminthiasis plays an important role in therapy. Properly selected menu can prevent complications of the disease and smooth out the symptoms.
For breakfast, experts recommend the use of cottage cheese. You can add a fruit mix to it and do not forget about melons or strawberries. You can drink unsweetened tea. For a second breakfast you can use homemade yogurt or fermented baked milk.
For lunch you can eat a light vegetable soup with the addition of lean chicken. It is useful to supplement with a salad of cabbage and carrots. Pineapple is recommended for dessert. During treatment, it is recommended to replace dinner with a glass of yogurt or kefir.
Dangerous foods 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 intestines affected by worms due to fermentation processes. First of all, this applies to foods rich in carbohydrates:
- Potatoes.
- Flour products.
- Some cereals.
It is also recommended to exclude alcoholic beverages during therapy. Lovers of semi-raw meat should also refuse such dishes, as they often contain worm eggs. This provokes re-infection. Confectionery is also strictly forbidden.
Preventive principles
Methods to prevent infection are simple enough, but few follow them. This explains the widespread spread of worm infections. It is enough not to forget about these rules:
- Observance of hygiene rules.
- Sufficient heat treatment of meat and fish.
- Rinse before eating fruits and vegetables.
- Timely deworming of pets.
- Keeping the house clean.
These general preventive measures can save the family from an unpleasant disease - helminthiasis. Observance of hygiene standards is the basic principle of prevention.