The history of helminthology dates back thousands of years.
The first documents that describe parasites in the human body, classified as roundworms according to the modern classification, date from the 6th century BC.
The term "helminth", which is now ubiquitous, was introduced by Hippocrates.
Since then, information about parasites has been accumulating.
Now there are more than 100 thousand species.
All this variety of helminths is classified as lower worms of the scolecida type (lat. Scolecida).
They are divided into four classes:
- flatworms are a class of cestodes (tapeworms) and trematodes (flukes);
- roundworms, which include a broad class of nematodes;
- spiny worms;
- annelids.
The human body is parasitized by helminths of the first two species (more than 250 species in total).Helminths spend the main stages of their life cycle in the body of humans or animals, which are called 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 vital activity occurs only in living organisms, and in the process of development 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 sedges and dwarfs.
The most common nematode helminth infestations are:
- ascariasis caused by human roundworms;
- toxocarosis, which occurs when roundworms enter the intestines of animals;
- trichocephalosis, develops due to infection with whipworms;
- enterobiosis caused by sedges;
- hookworms, their appearance is caused by hookworm and nekator parasitism;
- strongyloidosis, its cause is intestinal acne;
- trichostrongylidosis caused by parasites of the same name;
- trichinellosis caused by one of the four species of Trichinella;
- filariasis, their causative agent is filariae, also called threads.
The following diseases are distinguished among cestodiases:
- diphyllobothriosis, causative agent - broad tapeworm;
- teniarinhoz caused by bovine tapeworms;
- taeniasis or cysticercosis caused by pig tapeworm;
- hymenolepidosis, causative agent - dwarf tapeworm;
- dipylidiasis caused by worming of the canine tapeworm;
- echinococcosis, the causative agent of the disease is echinococcus or echinococcus tapeworm;
- alveococcosis, causative agent - alveococcus.
The following helminthiases are often diagnosed from trematodes:
- fascioliasis, causative agent - Fasciola vulgaris;
- opisthorchosis, the cause of which is the parasitism of the cat fluke;
- clonorchiasis caused by Chinese fluke;
- metagonimosis, causative agent - metagonimus;
- schistosomiasis (urogenital, intestinal, Japanese), caused by parasites of the same name.
A separate group includes the so-called protozoan diseases caused by the presence of unicellular protozoa: amoebae, malarial plasmodium, trypanosomes, lamblia, toxoplasma, trichomonads.
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, railings, common household items, toys, towels in 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 majority of cases in the body of a healthy person, the parasites die and are eliminated from the intestines.
However, in the tissues of children, people with immune deficiency, diseases of the digestive tract and the endocrine system, further transformation of the worm larvae into adult men and women occurs.
Their vital activity is accompanied by:
- metabolic disorders;
- lack of vitamins;
- mineral and protein deficiency;
- the formation of an allergic response, which is fraught with the development of autoimmune processes;
- the negative influence of toxic waste products of helminths.
In addition, almost all parasites mechanically damage various tissues at all stages of their life cycle.The larvae of many worms (strongyloides, schistosomes and others) during their introduction into the body violate the integrity of the skin and mucous membranes.Dwarf tapeworm causes a change in the structure of the epithelium of the small intestine to its deepest layers.In echinococcosis and alveococcosis, when the larvae grow, there is mechanical compression of the surrounding tissues, usually the liver, which leads to jaundice.
The gastrointestinal tract is actively washed with blood.Through its walls, the worms enter the main blood vessels, and from there into almost every organ.The localization of the main focus of parasite development determines the leading symptoms of the disease.The penetration of helminths in one way or another affects the functioning of all organs and systems: immune, nervous, circulatory, digestive.
The severity of the lesion and clinical symptoms, the method of treatment depends on the type of parasite.Relatively "harmless" pinworms and roundworms in most cases cause disturbances in the digestive tract.And the entry into the body of protozoa (for example, amoebae) can cause 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, cleansing enemas with garlic and soda, taking infusions with celandine, ginger root, tansy and other medicinal plants).But in the presence of severe and massive infestations, herbs, homeopathic drops and herbal supplements cannot be used.In order to destroy the worms, long-term drug therapy and help to restore the basic functions of the digestive tract are needed.
The development of helminthiasis can be prevented only by observing certain preventive measures.
However, to prevent infection, it is necessary to know the main ways in which parasites appear in the human body:
- Orally through hands, unwashed food, wool, feathers of domestic animals and birds on which there are eggs and larvae of parasites along with particles of soil.In this way, you can get infected with ascariasis, enterobiosis and giardiasis.
- Xenotrophic when consumed as food thermally unprocessed meat, milk, fish and seafood.This route of transmission is characteristic of trichinellosis and taeniosis.
- Contact, for example, through the pores of the skin, schistosomes enter the body (they live in a hot climate).
- It is transmitted through the blood through insect bites (for example, filariasis).
- Transplacentally from the mother to the fetus, this is how toxoplasmosis is transmitted.
Given the realities of modern home medicine, they try to postpone a visit to the doctor until the last moment, especially since drugs to eliminate helminthiasis can be bought without a prescription at any pharmacy.But not everything is as simple as it seems at first glance.Antiparasitic agents are not uniform in their therapeutic activity;in addition, different types of worms "require" an individual choice of dosage and duration of treatment.
Therefore, if you suspect that there are parasites in the human body, you should contact a specialist.The algorithm of its actions is as follows:
- examination of the patient and collection of anamnesis (for example, a recent return from exotic countries requires special studies to identify the pest);
- appointment of a general blood test, feces, coprogram;
- blood test for the presence of specific antibodies, this analysis will accurately determine the cause of the disease;
- assessment of the state of the internal organs, the presence of abscesses, ulcers and necrotic areas caused by parasites;
- identification of possible concomitant diseases that may be contraindications for the prescription of certain drugs.
This is important!
Self-treatment of helminthic infestations is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Signs of parasites in the body depending on the location
Tissue damage by helminths is accompanied by numerous punctate hemorrhages.This causes anemia, weakness, fatigue and reduced performance.Due to disruption of metabolic processes and the absorption of vitamins and minerals, the condition of the skin, nails and hair deteriorates.A person quickly loses weight and suffers from frequent viral and infectious diseases.
Also, the vital activity of most pathogenic microorganisms proceeds with the release of toxins.The immune system reacts to their appearance accordingly, so if there are parasites in the human body, there will certainly be symptoms of an allergic reaction.Clinical signs of general intoxication also develop, which are manifested 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 disorders 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.
Adding 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, when some worms invade the skin, can look like this:
- ulcers in the 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 look like wen;
- the appearance of purulent acne.
Symptoms of parasites in 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 the worms move deeper into the optic nerve system, there is a risk of strabismus, significant visual impairment, and limited vision.Without proper treatment, the development of helminthiasis in the eye can lead to irreversible blindness.
The gastrointestinal tract is the habitat of the majority of helminths.Therefore, if the parasites appear in the human body, the symptoms are mainly manifested by the digestive system.
Usually the patient complains of:
- pain of varying intensity and discomfort in the abdominal area;
- diarrhea, which can be replaced by constipation, this is especially characteristic in the initial stages of the infection;
- admixture of mucus and blood in the stool;
- the appearance of painful spasms at the same time as the desire to defecate;
- decreased or lack of appetite;
- flatulence, bloating.
As a result of disruption of the digestive glands, a person constantly feels heaviness in the stomach.In some cases, a roundworm ball can cause intestinal obstruction.
The penetration of worms into the hematopoietic system is accompanied by disturbances throughout the body.In addition, such an invasion sometimes does not manifest itself in the form of external symptoms.However, due to the destruction of red blood cells and other formed elements, there are frequent headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, despite observing the daily regimen, constant weakness and intolerance to physical activity.
Also, signs of parasites in the body in the circulatory system are accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes and exacerbation of chronic diseases.The size of the liver and spleen changes upwards, the body temperature often rises.
Doctors emphasize that the discovery of a foreign "creature" in the body should not be a cause for panic.Modern drugs allow you to quickly and without side effects clean all organs of helminths and fully restore their functioning.
Human parasites: methods of treatment and prevention
Relatively recently, some private clinics have announced that a new safe method of combating worms has been created - bioresonance therapy.The principle of this treatment is based on the laws of physics.According to the theory of the developers of this method, every cell of our body is not stationary in one place, but is in a mode of constant vibration, 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 placed on certain biologically active points.They send waves of a certain length, which do not affect the functioning of the person's own cells, but destroy the bodies of the 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 relevant certificates.But exposure to electromagnetic waves will not cause any harm and will not cause complications.
In fact, there are not that many drugs used to eliminate helminths and protozoa.The dosage of the drugs, the mode and duration of their use are selected by the doctor depending on the age of the patient, the severity of the invasion and the presence of concomitant pathologies.
In relatively mild helminth infestations, it is recommended to use recipes from traditional medicine.These products can be easily prepared at home, and the components are sold at any pharmacy.
To expel helminths from the intestines, healers recommend:
- Consume as much onion, garlic, ginger and pomegranate as possible.
- Buy regular cloves that are 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.
- A tablespoon of crushed and dried nettle roots is poured with a glass of boiling water and left to 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 juice and onion in equal proportions, add honey and take a tablespoon 3 times a day for several weeks.
- Mix 10 tbsp.l. linseed and 1 tbsp.l. cloves, grind and take in the amount of 2.5 g of powder per 1 kg of body weight.
- Mix the grated coconut pulp and coconut milk.Use this mixture 1 tsp.three times a day on an empty stomach.
Almost the only method of preventing the appearance of human parasites in the intestines and other tissues is the strict observance of the rules of hygiene known to everyone from early childhood.This is hand washing before eating, after visiting the toilet and returning from a walk.Careful heat treatment of drinking water, milk, meat, fish, cleaning of fresh vegetables and fruits from contaminants is also necessary.
But human parasites appear at every turn, so it is almost impossible to avoid meeting them.In order to prevent severe complications of the invasion, it is necessary to strengthen the immune defense and monitor the condition of the digestive tract.When the first symptoms of helminthiasis appear, you should consult a doctor, take the prescribed tests and complete the full course of treatment with mandatory monitoring of its effectiveness.