According to the World Health Organization, approximately 4. 5 billion people are infected with one type of parasite or another. In this case, most often, it is not obvious that a "settlement" has taken place. The parasitic signs are not always obvious; they sometimes resemble symptoms of other diseases, from which they can be differentiated using different examination methods.
Types of parasites and places of their localization in the body
Many types of parasites have now been discovered. Some of them are found in your body quite often.
Pinworms
Quite common in young children and adolescents. They live in the large intestine. Their length does not exceed 1-1. 5 cm. Their particularity is that, living in the folds of the large intestine, they lay eggs on underwear and skin folds. Egg maturation occurs within 6 hours. In this case, the child feels severe itching, grinds his teeth during sleep, eats little and quickly gets tired. This parasite can enter a child's body through dirty hands, toys, toilet seats, dishes and other children's underwear.
Toxocars
The carriers of this parasite are domestic animals - cats and dogs. In their body they reach 30 cm. Toxocara eggs can survive for quite a long time in soil and sand. They come out from there through human hands and can also stick to clothes and shoes. After that, they enter the body, where they spread through the vessels and internal organs, but are not evacuated.
Roundworm
This pathogenic organism is the most widespread; it is found in 100 million people each year. Spread through food, soil, water and dirty hands. The parasite reaches 40 cm in length. The female lays up to 200, 000 eggs per day. They end up in the soil where they can persist for many years. If the penetration of parasites occurs through food, they enter the intestines, spread through the bloodstream through capillaries, into the liver, brain, lungs, eyes, constantly multiplying. Roundworms feed on red blood cells and nutrients from human food. As a result, a person often develops various types of anemia, disorders in the functioning of the digestive system occur, and allergic reactions occur. When roundworms enter the respiratory tract into deeper layers of the skin and lungs, diseases such as bronchial asthma, neurodermatitis, arthritis, convulsions, fever and other symptoms similar tobronchitis or pneumonia develops. If the lungs are affected by roundworms, the following phenomena are possible: rupture of pulmonary vessels, hemoptysis and other unpleasant symptoms reminiscent of tuberculosis.
Sites of parasitic lesions are often in the liver, bile ducts, pancreas and kidneys, causing disruptions in the normal function of these organs. In particularly difficult cases, the following may occur: intestinal obstruction, purulent processes.
Large tapeworm
This type of parasite can reach 10 m in length. In the patient's body, he is in a twisted state. Its nutrition comes from nutrients consumed by humans. As a result, a person experiences bodily exhaustion, iron deficiency anemia, nausea, morning vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of strength and drowsiness.
Infection with this type of parasite most often occurs through raw fish.
Bovine (pig) tapeworm
Tapeworm infection occurs through meat products - raw or undercooked. The length of this parasite reaches 2 to 7 meters. Can live in the human body for up to 20 years. The main danger of this parasite is that it can infect the brain and eyes.
Echinococcus
Infection with this type of parasite occurs from infected animals, fruits or berries contaminated with soil, through water. Parasite larvae enter the body and spread through the bloodstream, affecting various internal organs: the kidneys, liver, brain, lymphatic and skeletal systems. In addition, echinococcus larvae can degenerate into cysts, reaching such a size that they compress nearby internal organs. The symptoms mainly depend on the location of the parasites.
General symptoms of the pathological condition
There are many common signs of this condition, but any of them may or may not appear depending on the location and type of parasite.
- intestinal and gastric discomfort syndrome;
- dysbacteriosis;
- constipation;
- diarrhea;
- bile stagnation;
- weight change;
- problem skin;
- allergy;
- pain in joints, muscles;
- anemia;
- decreased immunity;
- vitamin deficiency;
- sleep disturbances, nervousness;
- chronic fatigue;
- oncology.
Stomach upset is one of the signs of parasites
Intestinal or stomach discomfort
Many types of parasites are located in the upper or lower intestine, leading to inflammation of this area, disruption of its functioning and bloating. In this case, nutrient absorption decreases. If the parasites are located in the upper part of the intestine, the fats are not broken down, but penetrate into the lower parts, thereby causing spasms, alternating constipation and diarrhea.
In addition, this symptom is usually accompanied by:
- pain in the epigastric region;
- pain on the left and right side under the ribs;
- nausea, heartburn;
- decreased or complete lack of appetite;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- flatulence;
- dysbacteriosis;
- intestinal/biliary colic.
If the digestive tract does not work properly, other concomitant symptoms are also observed, which affect the condition of the skin:
- skin rashes of various types (acne, pimples);
- pigmentation;
- decreased tone, frequent formation of wrinkles;
- dehydration, dry skin;
- change in complexion - yellowish and dull tone.
Bile stagnation
Parasites located in the bile ducts or in neighboring organs, due to their large size, can block the ducts of the tract, creating blockage of the common duct and difficulty in the flow of bile, causing obstructive jaundice.
This problem also negatively affects the condition of the skin.
Weight change
The change in body weight can be up or down. It is a consequence of a parasitic disease. Weight loss is due to the consumption of nutrients by the "subcolonial". Obesity is also caused by the parasite consuming everything a person eats, which is why they have a false feeling of hunger. The feeling of insatiation is also due to the fact that helminths poison the body of the "host" with their feces and a drop in blood sugar levels occurs.
Changes in body weight are a possible sign of parasites
Pain in muscles and joints
Parasites look for the most convenient place for themselves and sometimes "settle" in joints or muscles. As a result, tissue damage or an immune reaction to their presence in the body occurs. This causes muscle or joint pain.
Allergy
Parasites disrupt the functioning of the digestive system, causing undigested pieces of food to enter the lower intestines. The immune system responds to this by activating the body's protective cells, eosinophils, which contribute to the development of an allergic reaction. Parasites also help increase the secretion of immunoglobulin E, which also helps increase the allergic reaction.
Decreased immunity
The presence of a parasite in the body impairs immunity. The synthesis of immunoglobulin A, which also maintains the level of immunity, decreases. As a result, the body becomes susceptible to the negative influence of various bacteria and viruses.
Therefore, patients are often infected with colds, viral diseases and others.
Sleep problems, nervousness
Toxic secretions of parasites negatively affect the functioning of the central nervous system, cause constant nervousness and worsen the quality of sleep. Patients often experience nighttime awakenings between 2 and 3 a. m. , caused by the body's "desire" to rid itself of toxic substances secreted by parasites through the liver.
If the brain is damaged by parasite larvae, the following signs are possible:
- difficulty reading;
- hyperactivity;
- attention disorder.
Sleep disturbances are a possible symptom of the presence of parasites in the body
Constant lack of sleep, nervousness and anxiety negatively affect the condition of the entire body, including the skin.
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Its signs include:
- general weakness;
- decrease or increase in body temperature without any reason;
- emotional instability;
- depression;
- apathy towards all aspects of life;
- impaired concentration;
- poor memory;
- distraction;
- rapid fatigue with minimal physical activity.
These symptoms can also be caused by other diseases caused by the presence of parasites.
Diagnostic methods
Diagnosing the presence of parasites is quite difficult, especially in the first period after their "infestation". Previously, the most effective methods were stool analysis and duodenal intubation. These studies made it possible to determine the presence of fragments of parasites, their eggs and larvae. But these methods have not always given reliable results. Currently, examinations are underway that allow determining the presence of parasites with almost 100% guarantee.
- stool analysis (at least 3 times);
- ELISA tests;
- enzyme immunoassay;
- ultrasound examination of internal organs;
- serological examination methods;
- CT scan;
- PCR diagnostics, which involves analyzing parasites using DNA analysis;
- endobiopsy.
If there are signs of parasites, a stool analysis is prescribed
These research methods help not only to determine the presence of parasites, but also to identify various diseases and disorders in the functioning of systems and organs, as well as to assess the condition of internal organs.
If there are several signs of parasite damage, you should immediately contact a specialist who will prescribe all the necessary tests. In this way, it will be possible to detect the "colon" in time and protect yourself from its negative effects on the body.
Frequently asked questions
What signs indicate the presence of parasites in the body?
Signs of parasites may include fatigue, weakness, weight loss, abdominal pain, allergic reactions, digestive problems and other non-specific symptoms.
What types of parasites can live in the human body?
Parasites that live in the human body can be diverse, including helminths (roundworms and tapeworms), protozoa, viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms.
What methods are used to diagnose parasites in the body?
To diagnose parasites in the body, stool tests, blood tests, molecular diagnostic methods, ultrasound and other methods can be used, depending on the type of parasites and their habitat.
Useful tips
Tip #1
Pay attention to changes in weight and appetite in you and your pets, as these may be signs of parasites.
Tip #2
Learn about the different types of parasites such as roundworms, tapeworms, mites, lice, etc. to prepare yourself for possible infections.
Tip #3
Visit your doctor and veterinarian regularly for checkups and parasitic tests, especially if you travel or live in areas with high infestation rates.