Worms are parasites that belong to the group of helminths. Existing in the body of mammals, fish and humans, they feed on the "host", damaging the body by reducing the nutritional value of food, rendering waste unused, lowering immunity and increasing susceptibility 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 intake of pills for worms and separate the truth from the fabrication.
Worms: parasites that are harmful to health
Although in nature there are symbiotic parasites that exist at the expense of the host, but that bring not only harm but also benefit to the main body, worms are parasites, whose presence in the body significantly harms health. In terms of 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 disruption in the functioning of the digestive system, immunity and allergic reactions. With the development of the disease, anemia, varieties of deficiency conditions are observed due to the consumption of nutrients, vitamins, minerals from helminths, which enter the human body with food.
The group of worms, parasites, helminths includes roundworms, needles, nematodes, toxocara. In terms of the spread of helminthiasis, they are compared to infectious diseases, second only to influenza. And the presence of helminths in the body against the background of an acute infectious process can significantly complicate healing, prolong the disease.
Severe helminthiasis also affects reproductive function, may 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 spread of helminths is most often explained by non-compliance with hygiene rules ("dirty hand disease"), quality of living conditions and pollution of territories around livestock, personal and commercial farms. Non-compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards: processing of 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 more susceptible to parasitic diseases due to decreased immune protection. Children have also not yet developed the habit of hand washing, but there is an instinct to examine everything orally, as well as the need to bite nails and suck fingers.
Myths and Reality: on the treatment and prevention of helminthiasis
The existence of various "home" methods, alternative treatment of helminthiasis, humanity owes to the thought 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 itself from general symptoms, people often try to avoid consulting a specialist by buying "worm pills" at the pharmacy or by resorting to "popular" 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, the gnashing of teeth in a dream, is an indisputable sign of the presence of worms in the body, parasites that contribute to a disturbed sleep. This version has not found any confirmation in the course of scientific research, most often the cause of bruxism is stress and dysfunction of the nervous system. And "being treated for worms" in this case makes no sense.
Let’s look at some of the common alternative techniques used for helminthiasis.
Eating a large amount of greens rich in aromatic substances: parsley, fennel, celery, cilantro has no effect on helminths and other groups of parasites that live on the body and on the surface of the body. In the same way, helminths are indifferent to vegetables, fruits, orange berries, which are also valued for their healing properties. An increased amount of vitamins supplied in large quantities of greens or squash, sea buckthorn, carrots, dates can improve the general condition for a while, but not cure helminthiasis. But hypervitaminosis and indigestion in those who love this method of therapy are quite common. Not to mention the possibility of additional infection when using poorly washed herbs: to get rid of worm eggs, greens should be thoroughly washed several times before eating.
Different types of intestinal lavage, intestinal enemas with lemon or garlic juice promise immediate relief from parasites. However, the small intestinal cavity, the habitat of helminths, is not available for Esmarch enemas and mugs. The consequences of such a pseudoscientific method are not a cure for helminthiasis, but a violation of the intestinal microflora with regular enemas and, as a result, erosion of its mucous surface when using caustic fluids.
Dangers of self-prescribing tablets for worms
If folk remedies do not help, then it is necessary to turn to medication. Worm tablets, medicines that cure helminthiasis, are quite common and are sold freely in pharmacies.
However, it is worth remembering that there are quite a large number of helminthiases and other parasites, and, despite the existence of drugs with combined action, there is no "worm pill". For different types of helminths, different medicines are produced.
Moreover, medicines for helminthiasis are quite toxic and have a number of contraindications, both in terms of general health and for periods of age or physiological conditions (pregnancy at different periods). The choice of a suitable drug is made by a specialist who takes into account all the factors, the degree of infection. In some cases, a course of treatment is needed that combines several medications, additional medications to support the body during treatment and prevent the most possible complications.
Preventing helminthiasis in the form of regular antiparasitic drugs, which some people follow, especially pet breeders, can do more harm than the initial stage of the disease. The action of anthelmintic drugs is based on the poisoning of parasites, but they are toxic to humans and should not be taken "just in case, for prevention".