Worms are parasites that belong to the group of helminths. Existing in the body of mammals, fish and humans, they feed on the "host", harming the body by reducing the nutritional value of food, excreting waste products, reducing immunity and increasing sensitivity to allergens. Throughout the history of the fight against helminthiasis, mankind has invented many methods of treatment. We consider the effectiveness of these methods, the effect of prevention in the form of regular taking of anthelmintic tablets and separate the truth from fiction.
Worms: parasites that are harmful to health
Although in nature there are symbiotic parasites that exist at the expense of the host, but bring not only harm but also benefit to the main body, worms are parasites whose presence in the body significantly impairs health. According to the degree of damage, helminthiasis is compared to diseases such as tuberculosis, coronary heart disease and chronic diarrhea.
Worms are parasites that even in the initial stage of helminthiasis can cause disorders of the digestive system, immunity and allergic reactions. With the development of the disease, anemia, various conditions of deficiency are recorded due to the consumption of nutrients, vitamins, minerals by helminths, which enter the human body through food.
The group of worms, parasites, helminths includes roundworms, pinworms, nematodes, toxocara. In terms of the spread of helminthiasis, they are compared to infectious diseases, right after the flu. And the presence of helminths in the body in the background of an acute infectious process can significantly complicate recovery, prolong the disease.
Severe helminthiasis also affects the reproductive function, they can be the cause of infertility, the birth of children with developmental disabilities. The spread of worms throughout the body becomes the cause of a person’s disability.
The prevalence of helminths is most often explained by non-compliance with hygiene rules ("dirty hand disease"), quality of living conditions and pollution of areas around livestock farms, both personal and commercial. climatic conditions favorable environment for helminth reproduction and their transfer from one transmitter to another.
Children and the elderly are most susceptible to parasitic diseases due to reduced immune defenses. Children have also not yet acquired the habit of washing their hands, but there is an instinct to examine everything with their mouths, as well as the need to bite their nails and suck their fingers.
Myths and reality: on the treatment and prevention of the disease "helminthiasis"
The existence of various "home", alternative methods of treating helminthiasis, humanity owes to the opinion that it is "shameful" to visit a doctor with such a diagnosis. Therefore, after learning about the presence of worms from test results or suspecting helminthiasis by general symptoms, people often try to avoid consulting a specialist by buying "worm pills" in pharmacies or resorting to "folk" methods of treatment.
Self-diagnosis is often based on false indications and treatment attempts are detrimental to health. One of the common myths says that nocturnal bruxism, gnashing of teeth in sleep, is an indisputable sign of the presence of worms in the body, parasites that contribute to restless sleep. This version has not found any confirmation during scientific research, the most common causes of bruxism are stress and nervous system dysfunction. And "treating yourself from worms" makes no sense in this case.
Let's look at some of the common alternative techniques used for helminthiasis.
Consuming a large amount of greens rich in aromatic substances: primrose, dill, celery, cilantro has no effect on helminths and other groups of parasites that live in the body and on the body surface. In the same way, helminths are indifferent to vegetables, fruits, orange berries, which are also attributed healing properties. An increased amount of vitamins supplied with large amounts of greens or pumpkin, sea buckthorn, carrots, gems can improve the general condition for a while, but not cure helminthiasis. But hypervitaminosis and indigestion are quite common in those who like this method of therapy. Not to mention the possibility of additional infection when using poorly washed herbs: to get rid of worm eggs, the cabbage must be washed several times before eating.
Different types of bowel lavages, intestinal enemas with lemon juice or garlic promise immediate release from parasites. However, the small intestine cavity, the helminth habitat, is not available for enemas and Esmarch cups. The consequences of such a pseudo-scientific method are not a cure for helminthiasis, but a disruption of the intestinal microflora by regular enemas and, as a result, erosion of its mucosa when using caustic juices.
Dangers of self-prescribing earthworm tablets
If folk remedies do not help, then it is necessary to resort to drugs. Worm tablets, drugs that treat helminthiasis, are quite common and are freely sold in pharmacies.
However, it is worth remembering that there are quite a number of helminthiasis and other parasitosis, and, despite the existence of drugs of combined action, there is not a single "worm pill". Different drugs are produced for different types of helminths.
Moreover, drugs for helminthiasis are quite toxic and have a number of contraindications, both in terms of general health and in terms of age or physiological conditions (pregnancy at different periods). The selection of the appropriate drug is carried out by an expert who takes into account all factors, the degree of infection. In some cases, a course of treatment that combines several medications, additional medications to support the body during treatment, and prevention of the most likely complications is required.
Prevention of helminthiasis in the form of regular antiparasitic drugs, which some people, especially pet breeders, apply, can do more harm than the initial stage of the disease. The action of anthelmintic drugs is based on parasite poisoning, but they are toxic to humans and should not be taken "just in case, for prevention".