Many diseases and disorders are caused by parasites in the human body;Symptoms can take many years to appear, so most people don't even realize they are carriers of certain harmful organisms.There are many types of parasitic worms for which the human body is a natural habitat.
Parasites get their name from their eating habits.Unlike bacteria involved in the digestion process and symbiosis with humans, parasites do not benefit the host.They steal nutrients and also cause various 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 such “freeloaders”, but, as practice shows, even the most extreme measures are not able to completely protect a person.
Statistics show that more than 95% of the world's population is infected with one type of parasite or another.
The diversity of human endoparasites is so great that not all possible invasions have been studied to date.Currently, more than 250 species of parasitic worms are known, which can live not only in the intestines, but also in other organs, including 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 some parasites that are frequently found in humans.
- Roundworms.According to statistics, approximately 100 million people are infected with this parasite every year.As a rule, damage occurs when eating unwashed vegetables, as well as contaminated objects.Roundworms 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
- Pinworms.A common parasite in children's groups.Infection, as a rule, occurs through dirty hands, contaminated household items, soft toys, etc.Pinworms live in the large and small intestines.Pinworm eggs mature quickly.Adults rarely reach sizes greater than 1 cm.
- Tapeworms.Tapeworms include a large group of parasites, including bovine, porcine, canine, dwarf tapeworms, as well as broad tapeworms.These organisms do not have their own digestive system, so they suck 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.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 are especially fond of the liver and lungs.They then form cysts containing entire colonies of these organisms.Cyst rupture can cause an acute allergic reaction and anaphylactic shock.
- Hookworm.The parasite looks a lot like the roundworm.Infection usually occurs through the skin when walking barefoot and through unwashed vegetables and fruits.
- Roundworms.A whole group of parasites that can reach 40 cm in length.It can affect almost all organs and tissues.In the process of their life, they release toxic waste into the bloodstream.A representative of roundworms, Trichinella, is the causative agent of trichinosis.This disease is extremely dangerous and has a serious course, as in 30% of cases it leads to the death of the patient.
- Whipworm.This parasite is the causative agent of trichocephalosis.Damage occurs when consuming food and water contaminated with pathogen eggs.Also, 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, attach themselves to the walls of organs using chitinous plastic, hooks, hard hair, suction cups, which irritate the tissues, causing 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 extensive damage.
Parasites can exist in the body for a long time without causing obvious manifestations, but in the case of frequent overwork, hypothermia, weakened immunity and other unfavorable conditions, they can reveal their presence.There are some common symptoms 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;
- decrease in the 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 caused to certain tissues by them.For example, if there are parasites in the liver, symptoms of liver failure may occur.When these organisms damage the lungs, severe coughing and even signs of choking can occur.In case of brain damage by parasites, 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 must be carried out from time to time.
Principles of treating parasitic infestations
To effectively treat parasitic infestations, you first need to determine the type of parasite.Most often used to identify the parasite:
- blood test for the presence of parasite eggs;
- histological capprogram;
- hemoscanning;
- serological study.
All medical anthelmintic medicines can be divided into those containing chemically synthesized substances and herbal medicines.Treating parasitic infestation is often an extremely difficult task, as chemicals, although effective in most cases, are still highly toxic and therefore dangerous not only to the parasites but also to the human body.An antiparasitic medication regimen should be prescribed by a doctor 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 such 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 infection by parasites, as their eggs are extremely resistant and can remain without a host for a long time.At the same time, there are several rules that can significantly reduce the risk of infection.First of all, you need to take care of your hygiene and wash your hands well before eating.
Furthermore, 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 from specialized stores that have all the certificates proving their safety.All vegetables, including leafy ones, and fruits should be doused with boiling water before eating.Beef, pork and poultry, as well as fish and crustacean meat, must 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 cause parasite infection, so you should not eat these dishes if they have not been kept in saline for a sufficient period of time.
If there are pets at home, they must receive preventive vaccines that protect the animal and its owners from the spread of parasites.Preventive tests to detect the presence of parasites help avoid dangerous complications.