Many diseases and disorders are caused by parasites in the human body;Symptoms may not appear for many years, so most people do not even realize that they are carriers of certain harmful organisms.There are many types of parasitic worms for which the human body is their natural habitat.
Parasites get their name from their eating habits.Unlike bacteria involved in the digestion process and in symbiosis with humans, parasites do not benefit the host.They steal nutrients and also cause a series of diseases during their vital processes.
The main types of parasites found in humans.
There are many types of parasites that can live and reproduce in the human body and can enter the body in various ways.Many people believe that they wash their hands and food well enough to avoid acquiring these "freeloaders", but, as practice shows, even the most extreme measures cannot fully protect a person.
Statistics show that more than 95% of the world's population is infected with one type or another of the parasite.
The diversity of human endoparasites is so great that at the moment not all possible invasions have been studied.Currently, there are more than 250 species of parasitic worms that can live not only in the intestines, but also in other organs, such as the brain, heart, lungs, liver, muscle fibers, hair and nails.In fact, any organ in the human body can easily become home to many types of parasites.There are quite a few parasites that are often found in humans.
- Intestinal worms.According to statistics, approximately 100 million people are infected with this parasite every year.As a rule, damage occurs from ingestion of unwashed vegetables, as well as contaminated objects.Nematodes attack the tissues of the brain, intestines, eyes, heart, lungs and liver.These organisms feed on red blood cells and nutrients.It can be transmitted not only by people, but also by animals.
- Worms.A common parasite in children's groups.Infection, as a rule, occurs through dirty hands, contaminated household items, stuffed toys, etc.Pinworms live in the large and small intestine.Pinworm eggs mature quickly.Adults rarely reach sizes larger than 1 cm.
- Hades.Tapeworms include a large group of parasites, including bovine, swine, canine, dwarf, and broad tapeworms.These organisms do not have their own digestive system, so they absorb nutrients from the body.These organisms especially love vitamin B12 and folic acid, so patients with these parasites have a significant deficiency of these elements.
- Toxocara.A parasite that usually affects dogs, but can be transmitted to humans through close contact with an animal.The length of an adult individual can be 30 cm.Almost all organs and tissues can be affected, but the prognosis is especially poor if the eyeballs are affected, as this option requires surgical removal of the affected eye.
- Alveococci and Echinococci.These microorganisms normally enter the human body through contact with an infected carrier animal or its feces.Often the carriers are foxes.In the human body, these parasites can enter any organ, but they especially love the liver and lungs.They then form cysts containing entire colonies of these organisms.Rupture of the cyst can cause an acute allergic reaction and anaphylactic shock.
- Hookworm.The parasite looks a lot like a roundworm.Infection usually occurs through the skin when walking barefoot and through unwashed vegetables and fruits.
- Intestinal worms.A whole group of parasites that can reach 40 cm in length.It can affect almost all organs and tissues.Over the course of their lives, they release toxic waste into the bloodstream.A representative of nematodes, Trichinella, is the causative agent of trichinosis.This disease is extremely dangerous and has a serious course, which is why in 30% of cases it causes the death of the patient.
- Worm.This parasite is the causative agent of trichocephalosis.Damage occurs by consuming food and water contaminated with the pathogen's eggs.Additionally, infection can occur through household items.Whipworm larvae feed on blood and lymph, which they suck from the capillary wall of the intestine.The lifespan of the parasite is about 5 years.
- Trematodes.This is a common type of flatworm that can parasitize lung tissue, blood vessels, intestines, and liver.As a rule, infection with these parasites occurs through the consumption of insufficiently processed fish or crab meat.
Symptoms of parasitic infestation.
Parasites, in order to live normally in the human body, adhere to the walls of organs using chitinous plastic, hooks, hard hairs and suction cups, which irritate tissues and cause inflammatory processes.Additionally, these organisms steal nutrients, suppress the immune system, poison the body with waste products, and, under certain conditions, can eat healthy tissue, causing significant damage.
Parasites can exist in the body for a long time without causing obvious manifestations, but in case of frequent overwork, hypothermia, weakened immunity and other unfavorable conditions, they can reveal their presence.There are quite a few symptoms that are common in people suffering from parasitic infestations, including:
- general weakness and chronic fatigue;
- sudden weight loss or, conversely, weight gain;
- constant feeling of hunger;
- problems with stool;
- headaches and migraines;
- muscle pain;
- joint pain;
- various skin manifestations;
- insomnia;
- decreased immune system;
- allergic reactions;
- increased nervousness;
- decreased performance.
The degree of intensity of manifestation of parasites in the body depends not only on the type of parasites, but also on the degree of damage they cause certain tissues.For example, if there are parasites in the liver, symptoms of liver failure may appear.When these organisms damage the lungs, severe coughing and even signs of choking can occur.In case of parasitic damage to the brain, the manifestations can be very diverse, including convulsions, convulsions, etc.Signs of the presence of parasites in the human body may not show obvious symptoms for a long time, therefore, to accurately determine the presence of parasites, preventive diagnostics should be carried out from time to time.
Principles of treatment of parasitic infestations.
To effectively treat parasitic infestations, it is first necessary to determine the type of parasite.It is most frequently used to identify the parasite:
- blood test for the presence of parasite eggs;
- histological program;
- we have scanned;
- serological study.
All anthelmintic drugs can be divided into those containing chemically synthesized substances and herbal drugs.Treating a parasitic infestation is usually an extremely difficult task, since chemicals, although effective in most cases, are still very toxic and therefore dangerous not only for the parasites, but also for the human body.A doctor should prescribe an antiparasitic medication regimen after identifying the type of parasite.Herbal preparations are safer because they contain natural poisons that are not tolerated by parasites, but are not dangerous to humans.However, disadvantages of these agents include the fact that they are not effective against all types of parasitic infestations.
Methods to prevent parasitic infestations.
In fact, it is extremely difficult to completely protect yourself from parasite infection, since their eggs are extremely resistant and can remain without a host for a long time.At the same time, there are a number of rules that can significantly reduce the risk of infection.First of all, you should take care of your hygiene and wash your hands well before eating.
In addition, you should always carry antibacterial wipes with you, which will be very useful in cases where it is not possible to wash your hands or disinfect the surface.
Products should only be purchased in specialized stores that have all the certificates that prove their safety.All vegetables, including leafy vegetables and fruits, should be doused with boiling water before eating.Beef, pork and poultry, as well as fish and crustaceans, should be cooked properly.If you intend to boil or fry, it is very important not to taste the meat raw.Insufficiently salted fish meat can lead to parasite infection, so these dishes should not be eaten if they have not been kept in a saline solution for a sufficient time.
If there are pets in the house, they should be given preventive vaccines that will protect the animal and its owners from the spread of parasites.Preventive testing for the presence of parasites helps avoid dangerous complications.