Parasites are the simplest organisms that live on humans. For nutrition, they use cells, vitamins, substances, tissues - anything in the interest of our health.
In addition, parasites are known to poison the body by releasing harmful substances. Let us consider in more detail the symptoms of the presence of parasites in the human body, their habitat, how to get rid of them and preventive measures against their appearance.
Damage caused by parasites in the body
First of all, the working capacity of the organs is disturbed, that is, inflammation occurs which destroys the tissues. Often, these foreign creatures produce toxins which, over time, contribute to the poisoning of the whole organism.
Microorganisms that live in the intestines feed on nutrients that enter the stomach with food. As a result, the first symptom of the presence of a parasite in the body appears: a person has a slowdown in growth, as well as a violation of mental and physical development.
Parasites have the ability to live for years, and eggs with larvae are very resistant to the surrounding microflora.For example, in the digestive system, for their own defense, they release substances that inactivate enzymes that transform food during metabolism.
Subsequently, the digestion processes are interrupted. Therefore, the symptoms of the presence of parasites in the human body sometimes resemble gastrointestinal diseases.
Common pests
The most common human parasites are:
- lice- the bite of these arthropods first irritates the skin, then turns into eczema or purulent lesions;
- pinworms- small roundworms with a white tint, causing a disease such as enterobiosis;
- roundwormsare parasitic worms, the vital activity of which occurs in the intestinal tract. The length of the sexually mature individual reaches 24 cm, the female up to 40 cm;
- whipworm- ranks 3rd in terms of disease frequency. Infection with this parasite causes a disease - trichocephalosis. The female of this parasite is large, reaching 5. 5 cm, the male is a little smaller - from 4 to 5 cm;
- Giardia- live in two formations: vegetative and sporulatedIn the first case, their vital activity takes place in the upper part of the small intestine, in the second - in the large intestine;
- cat fluke- affects the liver and causes the occurrence of opisthorchiasis;
- Trichinella- round shaped worms. Causes helminthic invasion;
- toxocara- similar to the roundworm, only the diameter of the larva is 0. 02 mm;
- intestinal acne- a filamentous parasite up to 2 mm in length;
- nekator- toothworm larvae enter the body through the pores of the legs when walking barefoot. Their course begins with the right atrium and ends with the pulmonary artery. Breaking the walls of the capillaries, they enter the alveoli and from there through the airways into the pharynx.
Paths of infection
You can get infected in different ways. Each of them is associated with the developmental cycle of a particular parasite. However, in medicine, there are 3 main sources of infection:
- By food and water.However, contamination often occurs due to improper storage and preparation. But sometimes there is an initial infection, that is, when a product infected with parasites has undergone improper heat treatment;
- By the contact-household method.In this case, the infection is transmitted from another person or a pet;
- By blood-sucking insects.This path is also known as forwarding;
- Through communication with pets,who walk in the street.
There are larvae capable of independently entering the human body. Dermatobiosis is a symptom of the presence of a parasite of this form. In this case, the larva penetrates the skin, eats it away on its own and ends up inside the host's body.
Signs of the presence of parasites
We suggest you consider 10 main features:
- Constipation.Blockage of organs of the digestive system can occur because the large size of the worms interferes with the normal course of peristalsis or secretions. An abundance of them closes the ducts (bile and intestinal), thereby complicating the process of defecation.
- Diarrhea.There are living parasitic organisms that produce hormone-like substances that cause watery stool. Another factor in the presence of worms is
- Bloating, gas. If you do not pay attention to periodic bloating, the symptom of the presence of parasites will appear in the human body with varying intensity and for several months or even years.
- Irritable bowel syndrome.Parasites can not only irritate, but cause inflammation. As a result, this leads to a decrease in the rate of assimilation of substances.
- Pain in muscle tissue and joints.In order to find the most comfortable environment, certain microorganisms move around the body. Most often they choose muscle or joint fluid. So, a person feels pain and often attributes the symptom to the effects of arthritis. Also, the symptom is believed to be the result of injury to the muscle tissue worms.
- Allergy.Toxins often increase the dose of eosinophil production. It is this substance that inflames the tissues and causes allergies.
- Skin issues.Often worms cause rashes, eczema, hives. Their presence also leads to skin ulcers, dermatitis, swelling and papillomas. When the gastrointestinal tract becomes infected, the face becomes covered with first wrinkles, baldness appears, cracks are visible on the heels, and the nails become brittle.
- Anemia.As mentioned earlier, parasites absorb all nutrients, and a large amount of them results in blood loss. As a result, the body lacks iron.
- Overweight.The symptom is associated with the defeat of the body by tapeworms, it means one thing - a protective reaction of the human body due to poisoning with products that contribute to the vital activity of parasites.
- Nervousness.Toxins produced by microorganisms irritate the central nervous system. As a result, a person develops depression, increased anxiety and nervousness.
Pay attention! Diarrhea and constipation are not only the consequences of malnutrition, but also the first symptoms of the presence of parasites in the human body.
How to identify yourself by appearance
Depending on the place of their vital activity, parasites are divided into 2 types:
- Endoparasites(worms, lamblia, echinococcus, etc. ) - those who live inside;
- Ectoparasites,living outdoors (lice, fleas, bedbugs).
Ectoparasite infestations can be easily identified by their appearance. A rash appears on the body, accompanied by itching, redness and burning. Often, small sores (sites of penetration) remain at the site of his bite.
Determining infestation with endoparasites is more difficult, since they live inside the body. These parasites have learned to adapt to their host's body during evolution. Studies have shown that it can take months or even decades from the time of infection to the onset of symptoms.
How to diagnose a disease
The diagnosis of invasion is possible thanks to the following symptoms:
- pale skin;
- gastrointestinal problems;
- lesion of the upper layer of the dermis;
- cosmetic problems;
- weight jumps;
- onset of chronic fatigue syndrome;
- regular headaches;
- teeth grinding during sleep;
- swelling of the limbs;
- pain in the joints and muscles;
- central nervous system disorder;
- itching in the perineum and anus.
Is treatment still necessary
When infected, the human body weakens, becomes allergic and is poisoned with toxins. Of course, the ultra-rapid development of these symptoms is not observed, but the absence of treatment often leads to serious health problems.
Pharmaceuticals drugs
The most effective drugs include the following drugs:
- for ascariasis: piperazine adipate and pyrantel;
- for enterobiosis: mebendazole;
- paragonimiasis, schistosomiasis, opisthorchiasis,
- for echinococcus: mebendazole;
- from bovine tapeworm: praziquantel.
Folk remedies
In addition to garlic and white pumpkin seeds, three most useful products for resisting parasite infestation, nature has created 3 plants capable of cleaning the human body when the first symptoms of parasite infestation appear: cloves, nuts and wormwood.
Cleansing the body of enterobionts with nuts.Pour 0, 5 liters of vodka into the green crust of 15 nuts and put in a dark place for a month. Take within 5 days, after dissolving a drop of tincture in 0. 1 l of water. After that, increase the dose to 2 to 2, 5 tbsp. and take 2 times a day for a whole year.
Purification with medicinal plant wormwood.Grind the seeds of dried plants. Reception should start with a pinch. On the 15th day of admission, the dosage should reach 1. 5 hours, after which take 0. 5 teaspoon per day. Finally, only use the same dosage once a week.
Cleanse the body with clove seeds.Grind the seeds to a powdery state. You need to start with 1. 5 teaspoon, gradually reducing the dose to one spoon. The admission course is 10 days.
Infection prevention
Once the parasite enters our body, it passes through 3 environments:
- Alkaline (oral cavity);
- Sour (stomach);
- Alkaline (bile).
If everything is in order with each barrier, you won't be afraid of a single parasite. Even if it is already in the body, it will be excreted naturally. But when at least one barrier is violated, it signals a violation of the entire system.
First,to prevent infection, it is necessary to regularly observe hand and whole body hygiene, tidy up the oral cavity: care for diseased teeth, bleed gums, stomatitis, get rid of an unpleasant odor.
Second, establish an alcohol dietand eat a proper diet.
Third, eliminate the stagnation of bile.
And, of course, for the prevention of parasitic diseases, do not forget about the general rules of hygiene.