Parasites present in the human body lead to the development of serious diseases.Their harmful effects considerably affect life expectancy.
According to research, almost everyone carries some parasites (from small ones, visible only under a microscope, to 10 meter tapeworms).Unfortunately, parasites don't just live in the intestines.Their habitat includes: the intestinal tract, muscle tissue, heart, blood and even the brain, as well as other vital human organs.
No one, not a single person in the world, is safe from parasites entering their body.Moreover, it does not matter the age of the person (whether child or adult) and their status (rich, poor, famous, unknown, etc.).
Types of parasites
For example, there are parasites like hookworms.During their life cycle, they will certainly visit almost every organ in our body.Why is this so?Because hookworm larvae, when entering the soil from feces, remain viable for several weeks.And if during this time they manage to touch human skin, they will eat it away and thus penetrate the blood vessels.And with blood flow, they will be transferred to the lungs.Once these larvae are in the alveolar capillaries, they enter the alveoli of the lungs in order to travel up the respiratory tract.They will then go into the pharynx and be swallowed.At the same time, throughout their journey, they literally make their way.To gnaw at our lungs, our intestines and our blood vessels, nature has provided them with four protruding hook-shaped teeth.Once it enters the intestines, the hookworm, feeding on blood, can stay there for up to 14 years, thanks to its gnawing in the intestinal mucosa.According to research, more than 650 million people worldwide are affected by hookworm today.
Another parasite, alveococci (a class of helminths), creates specific formations in the body - the Finns.It is a capsule made up of a set of small bubbles, called alveococcus finna.In this case, the bubbles do not contain liquid.They develop in human tissues by external budding and resemble a malignant tumor.This disease presents itself in the form of a malignant formation. Alveococcosis is rare, but primarily affects the liver and brain.The alveococcal nodes reach 15 cm in diameter.This type of helminthiasis is difficult to diagnose.Therefore, the diagnosis is in most cases 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 resort to sharp hooks, clothespins, plates - chitin teeth (the density resembles a nail) or hard hairs (whipworm).These unique devices constantly damage the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, load the liver with waste, take away food from a person, which reduces immunity and inhibits beneficial microorganisms.The vital activity of bacteria that synthesize B vitamins, as well as lactic acid bacteria and interferon-donating bacteria, is inhibited.And all of this is intestinal immunity, almost half of all human immune mechanisms.
Thanks to our unique camouflage, we can go unnoticed by two or more types of pests at the same time.In the liver - lamblia, in the intestines - roundworms.In fact, a large number of patients suffering from anemia, chronic fatigue, pancreatitis, asthma, allergosis, dysbacteriosis, cholelithiasis and others turn out to be infected with parasites.
If we talk about the symptoms of a parasitic infection, they may not appear at all.Despite the invasion, a person can feel completely healthy if they have good immunity.He will in fact be in good health for a strictly individual period.Subsequently, as the immune system weakens (from stress, illness, surgery), the parasite will still begin to send 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 striking manifestation is considered to be nighttime teeth grinding (bruxism).Symptoms may include drooling, loss of appetite (nighttime or insatiable hunger), cravings (sour and sugary foods), and belching air.Sometimes you may come across people with an increased appetite while losing weight.Unfortunately, the number of possible symptoms is almost endless.Parasites are so “cunning” that they mask their presence with the symptoms of the most common diseases.
Parasites that can be obtained from pets
Pets can give us not only their love and affection, but also other “gifts” that are much less pleasant.So that doctors do not study the practical parasitology of our body, it is necessary to know exactly what threatens us and how to deal with it.
Ascariasis
Who transmits?Pig, cat, dog, human.Together with feces, the pathogen enters the soil and from it to humans through unwashed hands and vegetables.There are also frequent cases of transmission of ascariasis through strawberries, eaten unwashed at the market.Ascaris lives in the small intestine of a person for up to 2 years, feeds on useful substances and poisons it with the products of its vital activity.Ascarid eggs live in the soil for up to 10 years.
Symptoms: weakness, allergies, rash, lack of appetite, weight loss, nervousness, lack of sleep.With a healthy lifestyle, there may be no symptoms.If the worms have multiplied and entered the respiratory tract, a cough is possible.
What to do: Pumpkin seeds are useful as a preventative against roundworms - a handful per day.If you suspect ascariasis, have your stool tested at the clinic.This disease is treated with antiparasitic tablets.
Giardiasis
Who transmits?The natural carrier of Giardia is the cat.It could also be contaminated soil or water in a well.Can be transmitted to humans through dirty hands.This often happens in children.
Symptoms: Giardia settles in the duodenum, obstructs the ducts of the gallbladder and pancreas (visible on ultrasound), these organs cause discomfort to the patient, food is poorly digested and absorbed, lack of appetite.
What to do: Bring the stool to the clinic.If the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor will prescribe pills.Don't try to chase away Giardia with "vormil" - it has no effect on them.The cat must also be cared for: buy Drontal or Droncid in a veterinary pharmacy, give according to weight, according to the instructions, once every 3 months.
Toxocariasis
Who transmits: a dog, occasionally a cat.This is a canine roundworm that does not take root in the human intestines, but enters the blood, feeds on its proteins and releases toxins there.Often affects children.
Symptoms: the same as for other parasites, but nothing is found in the stools;the blood must be examined.Sometimes toxocara enters the eyes through the bloodstream and a person can become blind.An ophthalmologist can see the pathogen in the back of the eye.
What to do: If you have any suspicions, go to the clinic for an examination.Toxocariasis is easy to cure, it is just difficult to detect and suspect.
Toxoplasmosis
Who transmits: cat.The pathogen lives in the blood.
Symptoms: sometimes - slight fever, weakness, enlarged liver, fatigue, muscle pain, headache.Often there are no symptoms, only the weaker organ suffers.You will also not suspect anything about the cat's behavior, but you can take its feces for analysis to a veterinary hospital.
What to do: go to the clinic.
Dirofilariasis
Who transmits: dogs, mosquitoes.After biting a sick dog, the mosquito bites a person and transmits the pathogen.The larva grows, moves throughout the body and stops under the skin or in the eyes.There was a case where a heartworm measuring 23 centimeters was removed from a woman's eye.No more than 3 heartworms can live in a person at one time.
Symptoms: migrating subcutaneous tumor, sensation of movement in it.
What to do: go to the infectious diseases department clinic or to a surgeon to have it removed.Watch the dog: if he walks frail, drowsy or drags his legs, this is already a cause for suspicion.60-80% of stray dogs have heartworm larvae.Treatment of these sick animals is usually not undertaken, because two out of three dogs die from toxic drugs and the one that survives is not completely cured.Prevention method: window screens and mosquito repellents.
Against roundworms and giardia, take a small head of garlic or 2 large cloves, chop it, pour half a liter of hot milk into a thermos overnight.In the morning you can already drink half a glass before meals three times a day for 10 days.The recipe is suitable for pregnant women for whom antiparasitic tablets are contraindicated.Garlic has no effect on dog roundworms because it lives in the bloodstream and not the digestive tract.
Self-defense
- Before eating, wash your hands with soap, lathering 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 avoid destruction of vitamin C.
- Treat animals regularly for parasites.Then wash your hands.
- If you have a pet at home, sometimes check yourself for parasites and check on your children, especially if you've been feeling weak, allergic, or lack of appetite lately.
Well, if you still get sick, contact a professional doctor as soon as possible.An experienced specialist will prescribe treatment that will help you recover as quickly as possible.