Parasites in the human body lead to the development of serious diseases.Their harmful effects significantly affect life expectancy.
According to research, almost everyone is a carrier of certain parasites (from the smallest, which can only be seen under a microscope, to a 10-meter tapeworm).Unfortunately, parasites live not only in the intestines.Their habitats include: the intestinal tract, muscle tissue, heart, blood and even the brain, as well as other important human organs.
No one, no one in this world is immune from parasites entering his body.In addition, it does not matter a person's age (whether a child or an adult) and status (rich, poor, famous, unknown, etc.).
Types of parasites
For example, there are parasites such as hookworms.During their life cycle, they will certainly visit almost all the organs of our body.Why is it like this?Because hookworm larvae, when they enter the soil from feces, remain viable for several weeks.And, if at this time they can get human skin, they will gnaw it and, thus, get into the blood vessels.And with the blood flow they will be transferred to the lungs.Once these larvae are in the alveolar capillaries, they enter the alveoli of the lungs to ascend to the respiratory tract.They will then enter the pharynx and be swallowed.At the same time, throughout their journey, they literally gnawed their way.To bite into our lungs, intestines, and blood vessels, nature gave them four protruding hook-shaped teeth.Once, after entering the intestine, the hookworm, feeding on blood, can stay there for up to 14 years, thanks to gnawing on the intestinal mucosa.According to research, today more than 650 million people worldwide are affected by hookworm disease.
Another parasite, alveococcus (class of helminths) creates special formations in the body - fins.This is a capsule consisting of a collection of small bubbles, called alveococcus finna.In this case, the bubble contains no liquid.They grow into human tissue through external buds and are similar to malignant tumors.This disease occurs as a malignant formation. Alveococcosis is rare, but mainly affects the liver and brain.Alveococcus nodes reach a diameter of 15 cm.This type of helminthiasis is difficult to diagnose.Therefore, the diagnosis in most cases is made at a late stage, when surgical intervention is no longer possible.
All parasites are merciless and ungrateful.To stay in the "master's house" as long as possible, they use sharpened hooks, clothespins, plates - teeth made of chitin (the density resembles nails) or hard wire hairs (whipworms).This unique device constantly injures the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, loads the liver with waste, takes food from a person, which reduces immunity, inhibits beneficial microorganisms.The vital activity of B vitamin-synthesizing bacteria, as well as lactic acid bacteria and interferon-donor bacteria, is inhibited.And all this is intestinal immunity, that is, almost half of all human immune mechanisms.
Thanks to our unique camouflage, we can go unnoticed by two or more types of parasites at the same time.In the liver - lamblia, in the intestines - roundworms.In fact, a large number of patients with anemia, chronic fatigue, pancreatitis, asthma, allergies, dysbacteriosis, cholelithiasis and others are apparently infected with parasites.
If we talk about the symptoms of parasitic infection, they may not appear at all.Despite the invasion, a person can feel completely healthy if they have good immunity.He will certainly be healthy for some tight times.After that, when the immune system fades (due to stress, illness, surgery), the parasite will still start sending weak signals.They are characterized by pimples on the skin, smelly urine, persistent cough with clear lungs, loose stools with a strong odor or constipation, gas formation, and bad breath.The most significant manifestation is considered to be night teeth grinding (bruxism).Symptoms may include drooling, abnormal appetite (night or insatiable hunger), food cravings (sour and sweet foods), and belching.Sometimes you can meet people with an increased appetite, while losing weight.Unfortunately, the number of possible symptoms is almost endless.Parasites are so "sly" that they mask their presence with the most common symptoms of disease.
Parasites that can be obtained from pets
Pets can give us not only their love and affection, but also other less pleasant "gifts".In order for doctors not to study practical parasitology about our body, it is necessary to know what exactly threatens us and how to deal with it.
Ascariasis
Who sent?Pigs, cats, dogs, humans.With feces, pathogens enter the soil, and from it to humans through unwashed hands and vegetables.There are also frequent cases of ascariasis transmission through strawberries, which are thought to be unwashed in the market.Ascaris lives in the small intestine of a person for up to 2 years, eats useful substances, and poisons it with the products of its vital activity.Ascaris eggs live in the soil for up to 10 years.
Symptoms: weakness, allergies, rashes, lack of appetite, weight loss, nervousness, poor sleep.With a healthy lifestyle, there may be no symptoms.If the worms have multiplied and entered the respiratory tract, coughing is possible.
What to do: Pumpkin seeds are useful as a prevention against roundworms - a handful a day.If you suspect ascariasis, get your stool tested at a clinic.This disease is treated with antiparasitic tablets.
Giardiasis
Who sent?The natural carrier of Giardia is a cat.They can also be contaminated with soil or well water.Can be transmitted from humans through dirty hands.Often occurs in children.
Symptoms: Giardia settles in the duodenum, blocks the ducts from the gallbladder and pancreas (can be seen on ultrasound), these organs disturb the patient, food is poorly digested and absorbed, poor appetite.
What to do: take the stool to the clinic.If the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor will prescribe pills.Do not try to get rid of Giardia with "vormil" - it has no effect on them.Cats must also be treated: buy Drontal or Droncid at a veterinary pharmacy, give according to weight, according to the instructions, once every 3 months.
Toxocariasis
Who delivers: dogs, sometimes cats.These are canine worms that do not take root in the human intestine, but penetrate the blood, eat its proteins and release toxins there.Often affects children.
Symptoms: same as other parasites, but nothing found in stool;blood should be checked.Sometimes toxocara enters the eye through the bloodstream, and a person can become blind.Ophthalmologists can see pathogens in the fundus.
What to do: if you have any suspicions, go to the clinic for an examination.Toxocariasis is easy to cure, but difficult to detect and suspect.
Toxoplasmosis
Who sent: cat.Pathogens live in the blood.
Symptoms: sometimes - slight fever, weakness, enlarged liver, fatigue, muscle pain, headache.Often there are no symptoms, only the weakest organs suffer.You will also not suspect anything from the cat's behavior, but you can take the cat's feces for analysis to a veterinary hospital.
What to do: go to the clinic.
Dirofilariasis
Who sends: dogs, mosquitoes.After biting a sick dog, the mosquito bites a person and transmits the pathogen.Larvae grow, move throughout the body, and stop under the skin or in the eyes.There was a case when a 23 centimeter heartworm was pulled out of a woman's eye.No more than 3 heartworms can live in a person at the same time.
Symptoms: migrating subcutaneous tumor, sensation of movement in it.
What to do: go to the clinic in the department of infectious diseases or to the surgeon to remove it.Pay attention to the dog: if it walks weakly, sleepily, or drags its legs, this is already a reason for suspicion.60-80% of wild dogs have heartworm larvae.Treatment of such sick animals is usually not done, because two out of three dogs die from toxic drugs, and one that is alive does not fully recover.Prevention methods: window blinds and mosquito repellent.
Against roundworms and giardia, take a small head of garlic or 2 large cloves, cut it, pour half a liter of hot milk in a thermos overnight.In the morning you can already drink half a glass before meals three times a day for 10 days.This recipe is suitable for pregnant women for whom antiparasitic tablets are contraindicated.Garlic has no effect on dog roundworms because they live in the blood and not in the digestive tract.
Defend yourself
- Before eating, wash your hands with soap, soap twice.
- Vegetables and strawberries should be washed under cold running water, peeled, placed in 1-2 layers in a colander, poured with boiling water and immediately rinsed with cold water to prevent vitamin C from being destroyed.
- Treat pets regularly for parasites.Wash your hands afterwards.
- If you have pets at home, occasionally check yourself for parasites and check your child, especially if you've been feeling weak, allergic or lacked appetite lately
Well, if you are still sick, contact a professional doctor as soon as possible.An experienced specialist will prescribe a course of treatment that will help you recover as quickly as possible.