Worms are parasites belonging to the helminth group. Existing in the body of mammals, fish and humans, they feed on the "host", damaging the body by reducing the nutritional value of food, excreting waste products, reducing immunity and increasing susceptibility to allergens. During 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 fiction.
Worms: parasites harmful to health
Although in nature there are symbiotic parasites that exist at the expense of the host, but bring not only harm, but also benefits to the main body, worms are parasites, the presence of which in the body significantly compromises health. In terms of the degree of damage, helminthiases are compared with diseases such as tuberculosis, coronary heart disease and chronic diarrhea.
Worms are parasites that, even in the initial stage of helminthiasis, can cause disruptions in the functioning of the digestive system, immunity and allergic reactions. With the development of the disease, anemia, varieties of deficiency conditions are noted due to the consumption of nutrients, vitamins, minerals by helminths, which enter the human body with food.
The group of worms, parasites, helminths includes roundworms, pinworms, roundworms, toxocaras. In terms of the spread of helminthiases, they are compared with infectious diseases, second only to the flu. And the presence of helminths in the body against the background of an acute infectious process can significantly complicate recovery, prolong the disease.
Severe helminthiases also affect reproductive function, can 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 prevalence of helminths is often explained by the non-compliance with hygiene rules ("dirty hands disease"), by the quality of living conditions and by the pollution of the territories around the farms, both personal and commercial. Failure to comply with health and hygiene rules: the processing of food, hands, surfaces in public places creates in our climatic conditions an environment favorable to the reproduction of helminths and their transmission from one bearer to another.
Children and the elderly are more susceptible to parasitic diseases due to reduced immune defense. Even children have not yet got into the habit of washing their hands, but there is an instinct to examine everything with the mouth, as well as the need to bite their nails and suck their fingers.
Myths and reality: on the treatment and prevention of the "helminthiasis" disease
The existence of various alternative "home" methods for the treatment of helminthiasis, mankind owes to the opinion that it is "shameful" to visit a doctor with such a diagnosis. Therefore, after learning about the presence of worms from the 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 resorting to "popular" treatment methods ".
Self-diagnosis is often based on false indications and attempts at treatment are harmful to health. One of the common myths says that nocturnal bruxism, teeth grinding in a dream, 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, very often the cause of bruxism is stress and dysfunctions of the nervous system. And "being treated for worms" doesn't make any sense in this case.
Let's take a look at some of the common alternative techniques used for helminthiasis.
Eating a large amount 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. Similarly, helminths are indifferent to vegetables, fruits, orange berries, which are also attributed healing properties. An increased amount of vitamins provided with large amounts of vegetables or pumpkin, sea buckthorn, carrots, persimmon can improve the general condition for a while, but not cure helminthiasis. But hypervitaminosis and indigestion in those who like this method of therapy are quite common. Not to mention the possibility of further infections when using poorly washed herbs: to get rid of worm eggs, vegetables need to be washed thoroughly several times before eating.
Various types of intestinal lavender, intestinal enemas with lemon juice or garlic promise immediate relief from parasites. However, the cavity of the small intestine, the habitat of helminths, is not available for Esmarch's 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, the erosion of its mucous surface when using caustic juices.
Dangers of self-prescribed tablets for worms
If folk remedies do not help, then it is necessary to resort to drugs. Tablets for worms, remedies 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 combined-action drugs, there is no single "worm pill". For different types of helminths, different medicines are produced.
In addition, drugs 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 in different periods). The selection of a suitable drug 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 drugs, additional drugs to support the body during treatment and the prevention of the most likely complications.
Prevention of helminthiasis in the form of regular anti-parasitic drugs, which some people, especially pet breeders, follow, can cause more harm than at 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".