Worms are parasites that belong to the group of helminths. Existing in the bodies of mammals, fish and humans, they feed on the "host", harming the body by reducing the nutritional value of food, removing waste products, reducing immunity and increasing susceptibility to allergens. During the history of the fight against helminthiases, humans have invented many methods of treatment. We consider the effectiveness of this method, the preventive effect in the form of regular pill intake for worms and separating truth from fiction.
Worms: parasites that are harmful to health
Although naturally there are symbiont 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 affects health. In terms of the degree of damage, helminthiases are compared to diseases such as tuberculosis, coronary heart disease and chronic diarrhea.
Worms are parasites that, even in the early stages of helminthiasis, can cause disturbances in the function of the digestive system, immunity, and allergic reactions. With the development of the disease, anemia, this type of deficiency condition is observed due to the consumption of nutrients, vitamins, minerals by helminths, which enter the human body with food.
Groups of worms, parasites, helminths include ringworms, pinworms, nematodes, toxocaras. In terms of the spread of helminthiases, they are comparable to infectious diseases, second only to influenza. And the presence of helminths in the body against the background of acute infectious processes can significantly complicate recovery, prolonging the disease.
Severe helminthiases also affect reproductive function, can be a cause of infertility, the birth of children with developmental disabilities. The spread of worms throughout the body is 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 the territory around livestock farms, both personal and commercial. Failure to comply with hygiene and sanitation standards: processing food, hands, surfaces in public places creates in our climatic conditions a favorable environment for the reproduction of helminths and their transmission from one carrier to another.
Children and the elderly are most vulnerable to parasitic diseases due to diminished immune defenses. Children also have not yet formed the habit of hand washing, but there is an instinct to check everything by mouth, as well as the need to bite nails and suck fingers.
Myths and realities: about the treatment and prevention of "helminthiasis"
The existence of various "homes", alternative methods of treating helminthiasis, humans owe to the opinion that it is "embarrassing" to visit a doctor with such a diagnosis. Therefore, after learning about the presence of worms from test results or suspecting helminthiasis in themselves by general symptoms, people often try to avoid consulting a specialist by buying "pills for worms" in pharmacies or using "folk" treatment methods.
Self -diagnosis is often based on false indications and treatment attempts are dangerous to health. One of the common myths says that night bruxism, teeth grinding in dreams, 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 in the course of scientific research, often the cause of bruxism is stress and dysfunction of the nervous system. And "to be treated for worms" in this case does not make sense.
Let's look at some alternative techniques commonly used for helminthiasis.
Eating large amounts of vegetables rich in aromatic substances: parsley, dill, celery, coriander has no effect on helminths and other groups of parasites that live in the body and on the surface of the body. In the same way, helminths do not care about vegetables, fruits, orange berries, which are also credited with healing properties. An increase in the amount of vitamins supplied with large amounts of vegetables or pumpkin, sea buckthorn, carrots, persimmons can improve the general condition for a while, but does not cure helminthiasis. But hypervitaminosis and indigestion in those who are fond of this method of therapy are quite common. Not to mention the possibility of additional infections when using herbs that are not washed properly: to get rid of worm eggs, vegetables must be thoroughly washed several times before eating.
Various types of intestinal washes, intestinal enemas with lemon juice or garlic promise immediate relief from parasites. However, the small intestinal cavity, the habitat of helminths, is not available for enemas and Esmarch cups. The consequence of such a pseudoscientific method is not a cure for helminthiasis, but a violation of the intestinal microflora with regular enemas and, consequently, erosion of its mucous surface when using caustic juice.
Dangers of self -prescription tablets for worms
If folk remedies do not help, then it is necessary to use medicines. Tablets for worms, drugs that cure helminthiases, are quite common and are sold independently in pharmacies.
However, keep in mind that there are a large number of helminthiases and other parasitoses, and, although there are combined action drugs, there is no single "worm pill". For different types of helminths, different drugs are produced.
In addition, drugs for helminthiasis are quite toxic and have some contraindications, both in terms of general health and for periods of age or physiological conditions (pregnancy at different periods). The selection of appropriate medication is carried out by a specialist who takes into account all factors, the degree of infection. In some cases, a course of treatment is required that combines several medications, additional medications to support the body during treatment, and the prevention of complications that are most likely to occur.
Prevention of helminthiasis in the form of common antiparasitic medications, followed by some people, especially pet breeders, can do more harm than good in the early stages of the disease. The action of anthelmintic drugs is based on parasite poisoning, but they are toxic to humans, and they should not be taken "for precaution, for prevention".