Parasites in the human body: symptoms and treatment

a man drinking a pill for parasites

Parasites in the human body arise from the environment and conduct vigorous activity there. Toxic substances formed as a result of the activities of these creatures poison the human body, causing serious harm to health. Symptoms of parasites entering the human body can be various unpleasant signs that require urgent treatment. If the invasion treatment was started on time, the consequences of the disease will be minimized.

What are parasites in the human body

Parasites in the human body are invasions that ensure their existence at the expense of the host. Parasites live in the human body, carry out their vital activity, feed on human food and energy, and often on human cells and tissues. Recent studies indicate that the probability of the presence of parasites in any organism is 85%. Some scientists add another 10% to this figure.

types of human parasites

Dr Ross Andersen said parasitic infestation is the most undiagnosed disease in the world. He admits that this is a very bold claim, but it is based on data analysis of the medical history of over 20, 000 patients and many years of work experience that is more than 20 years.

It is possible to establish that parasites are indeed present in the human body by sampling the feces for analysis. This is the traditional and most common diagnostic method. However, it is extremely uninformative and unreliable, because the parasite can only be detected if the laboratory assistant sees its larvae under a microscope.

Parasites in the human body can live almost anywhere. There are no barriers for them. They parasitize not only in the intestine, but also in the liver, joints and muscles, blood, brain, eyes. Science knows more than 100 types of parasites that live in the human body, from invisible amoebas to worms several meters long.

But after all, worms don't always lay large numbers of eggs, which means that during a standard study the parasite may not be detected. Some experts recommend running the tests three times, but this does not guarantee a reliable result. It is believed that at least 8 or even 10 stool studies are required to detect parasites.

At the same time, it was found that the most common parasites inhabiting the human intestine are precisely helminths. They all have different shapes, they can look like a wooden leaf, like a women's bracelet, like a sharpened pencil on both sides.

abdominal pain in the presence of parasites

However, they have one thing in common: they pursue the goal of destroying their master, making the most of his body. Furthermore, all parasites are highly prolific and viable.

It is a mistake to believe that the Helminthic invasion is an exclusively childhood disease. Very often, adults suffer from it, and most people do not even suspect such an unpleasant and dangerous neighborhood.

Types of parasites in the human body

Parasites in the human body. Having been infected with any type of parasitic microorganism, a person may not even be aware of this problem. Only a few symptoms can signal the presence of creatures that cause disease: general malaise, increase or decrease in body weight.

Signs of invasions of the body appear only in those cases when the number of microbes reaches high values and the general and local immunity is significantly reduced. Numerous types of worms are characterized by causing serious harm to human health.

Types of parasites in the human body:

  • nematodes:they are microscopic in size. The most famous representatives of this group are Trichinella, ascaris, pinworms, whipworms;
  • flukes:group of flatworms. They parasitize inside the body and outside. These include the species of flukes, flukes;
  • cestodes:tapeworms, tapeworms, echinococci, are tapeworms. They don't have a digestive system;
  • with a thorny head: these are worms, of small size, with an elongated flat body, completely covered with thorns;
  • with scrapers:a person becomes infected with infected fish, birds, mammals. Subcutaneous parasitic microorganisms. These include the round risht worm. It is also called the Guinea worm. The risk of invasion is very high;
  • amoeba: unicellular microscopic helminths. It has an irregular shape, in constant evolution. Settling in the blood vessels, causes pathologies of the heart and vascular system, the development of a stroke. It is the causative agent of amoebiosis;

The liver is affected by different types of lamblia, amoebas, schistosomes, nematodes, echinococci, which lead to disturbances of many processes in the body. The liver and other organs are defenseless against a whole army of virulent microorganisms.

Ways of penetration of parasites into the human body

Parasites in the human body. Parasitic diseases, helminth infestations are caused by pathogens that enter the human body in different ways. Most often, infection occurs when a helminth (parasite) enters through the mouth (contamination of food and water with soil, eggs and cysts of pathogens), through dirty hands.

Insects (flies, cockroaches), rodents and larger animals (cats, dogs) can transmit pathogens of parasitic infections and protozoan diseases through infected household items.

Parasitic pathogens and their larvae can live in almost all organs and tissues - in the lumen of both the large and small intestines, rectum, biliary and urinary tract, bronchopulmonary system, blood, brain and tissue liver, muscle tissue and eyes. . .

In children's collectives, helminth eggs are transmitted through toys, dirty hands. Some parasites are able to enter the host's body by contact through the skin (even intact) and mucous membranes, less often by inhalation.

In the process of evolution, in order to preserve their species, many parasites have developed special mechanisms for their spread (for example, a complex development cycle with the change of hosts, the formation of cysts and protective membranes).

Parasites have lost some organs (visual, digestive system). But at the same time, the reproductive system of parasites has reached an amazing development (hermaphroditism, a huge number of eggs secreted by an individual).

Diagnosis of parasitic diseases

Parasites in the human body. An important issue is the diagnosis and detection of parasites for their timely treatment and elimination from the body. The diagnosis and identification of many types of helminthiasis is based on identifying the parasites, their eggs in the stool, and the use of other techniques.

diagnostics of parasites in the body

Repeated stool examination is often required to establish a reliable diagnosis of parasitosis. With enterobiasis, a study is carried out for the parasite's eggs by scraping from the perianal folds.

ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) allows you to identify the pathogen by examining antibodies in the blood. A general analysis for all parasites and helminthic invasions reveals an increase in the fraction of eosinophilic leukocytes in the blood, indicating an allergy, often signs of iron deficiency anemia or other genesis (macrocytic, vitamin B12 deficient).

Prolonged massive invasion by parasites can lead to electrolyte shifts and a lack of minerals (calcium, phosphorus). Biochemical examination of liver damage markers, transaminases, bilirubin is often used when helminthiasis is suspected.

Ultrasound, endoscopy of the stomach and duodenum, CT - examination - can be used in the diagnosis of some parasitic diseases (echinococcosis, giardiasis). With trichinosis, a biopsy of muscle tissue and skin is mandatory (detection of the parasite and confirmation of the diagnosis).

Symptoms of the presence of parasites in the human body

Parasites in the human body are organisms that live off their host. They live a parallel life within our body, feeding on our energy, our cells and our food. Also, it's no secret that they throw their waste products directly into our body and die there.

Symptoms of parasites in the human body are quite varied. Their pitfall is that they all manifest in such a way that it is almost impossible to make a diagnosis on the fly. Whatever a person has worms, the symptoms of any helminthiasis will be very similar.

In addition, the appearance of symptoms characteristic of the lack of any type of nutrient, because parasites are known to suck out the most useful nutrients from food, including vitamins and minerals.

Symptoms of parasites in the human body:

  • constant fatigue, decreased performance, nervousness, irritability;
  • drowsiness or, conversely, insomnia;
  • problematic skin and hair;
  • cosmetic defects in the form of delamination of the nails, cracked heels, various spots on the skin, early wrinkles on the face;
  • abdominal pain, flatulence (gas and bloating);
  • stool disorders (most often in the form of diarrhea, but constipation is also possible);
  • significant weight changes in a relatively short period;
  • bulimia (prolonged increase in appetite) or, conversely, a deterioration in appetite;
  • hypovitaminosis (vitamin deficiency);
  • anemia, low hemoglobin; granulomas, tumors;
  • headache, joint pain, muscle aches;
  • grinding of teeth in sleep, itching in the anus;
  • immunity disorders, frequent colds;
  • increased frequency of allergic reactions in the form of asthma, atopic dermatitis, urticaria.

Symptoms of parasites in the liver in humans

Parasites in the liver can remain silent for a long time. It is important for a sick person to pay attention in time to certain signs and symptoms that indicate the presence of parasites.

Most often, parasites in the liver give the following symptoms:

  • weight loss, fever, leukocytosis, pain (or discomfort) in the right hypochondrium. Sometimes the pain radiates to the shoulder. This clinical picture is typical of hepatic amoebiasis; organic and functional changes in the liver, which usually occur with giardiasis;
  • nervousness and irritation. This is one of the most common symptoms of a parasitic infection not only of the liver, but of the body as a whole. The waste products of parasites have a toxic effect on the human nervous system. According to medical observations, after the removal of parasites, patients become more patient and calm;
  • sleep disorders. The peak of active liver activity occurs at 2-3 am. In the presence of parasites, patients can wake up almost every night at this time. Sometimes helminths can exit through the anus, which also leads to disruption of the patient's sleep;
  • Other symptoms associated with a parasitic liver infection include: bad breath and bad taste in the mouth, constant hunger, acne and acne, diabetes mellitus, headaches and migraines.

Treatment of parasites in the human body

Medicinal treatment of parasites in the human body

The appointment and control of drug therapy is carried out exclusively by an infectious disease specialist or parasitologist. Along with the use of drugs for the effective treatment of parasitic pathologies, methods of alternative medicine are used.

For drug therapy of helminthiasis, well-known and newer anthelmintic drugs are widely used.

Treatment of parasites in the human body by folk methods

Parasites in the human body. To get rid of parasites in the human body with folk remedies, it will not take a single day.

folk remedies for parasites in the body

If the method is strong, the worm will die on the first day. But there are also eggs that don't lend themselves to disposal the first time.

How to get rid of parasites at home - recipes:

  • cleansing the brine of sauerkraut in the body will be effective: drink it at ½ cup 3 times a day. before a meal. It is able to rid the liver of parasites;
  • even flowers can cure a person: fill a bottle with lilac inflorescences and pour vodka into it to the brim. Stand for 10 days and take 1 tsp. before each meal. Reviews about this popular method are laudatory;
  • you can get rid of parasites in adults with mushrooms - for this, homemade tinctures are used. Agaricus and chanterelles effective against worms. Insist on a glass of chopped agaricus in 0, 5 liters of vodka for 14 days. Drink 1 tbsp. L. 3 r. / D. before meals. To make cleaning more effective, drink the product with infusion of calendula, currant and yarrow. The treatment lasts a month;
  • it is allowed to use folk remedies for pest recipes from plant seeds - it is good to remove cumin and dill seeds with flour. The mixture is consumed in 1 tsp. and washed with water. Remove parasites in this way for a long time (6 months), but not without results.

The impact of parasites on the body

Parasites in the human body disrupt the functioning of organs, cause inflammatory processes in them and destroy tissues. Often in the course of their vital activity, parasites produce toxic substances for humans, which leads to a gradual poisoning of his body.

Parasites in the intestine use nutrients from food for their growth and development. Because of this, the human body begins to miss it. This is especially dangerous for children, as their growth slows down, physical and mental development is impaired.

Parasites adapt well, are able to live in an organism for years, and their eggs and larvae are highly resistant to the environment.

In the digestive organs, for their protection, parasites can secrete special substances that inactivate enzymes and interrupt the digestion process of food. Therefore, in a patient with parasites in the intestine, the symptoms often resemble diseases of the digestive system.

Does a person need to get rid of parasites from the body?

As for the purification of organisms from parasites, it makes no sense to carry it out just because it has become fashionable and popular. If a person has no invasion symptoms, but indigestion is observed only periodically, then it is more advisable to simply switch to a more gentle diet and adjust your lifestyle.

specialist consultation with parasites in the body

Nature itself has ordered in such a way that the human intestine is a "refuge" for bacteria. Without them, a person simply could not exist. Dangerous microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus and candida are also needed by humans, as they are involved in the food chain and are food for beneficial bacteria.

If a person is healthy, their body functions as a well-coordinated system and nothing will disturb their functioning. A strong immune system will prevent any parasites from harming the body.

However, against the background of a weakening of one's defenses, with an irrational diet, as a result of taking drugs, the work of the internal ecosystem of the body is disrupted, and parasites can enter and cause harm. In this case, you should get rid of it by all available means. It is necessary to clean not only the liver, but the whole body as a whole.