According to the World Health Organization, about 4. 5 billion people are infected with one type of parasite or another. In this case, it is usually not clear that an "agreement" has taken place. Signs of parasites are not always obvious; sometimes they resemble the symptoms of other diseases, from which they can be distinguished 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 these are quite common in your body.
Pinworms
It occurs quite often in young children and adolescents. They live in the large intestine. Their length is no more than 1-1. 5 cm. Their peculiarity is that they live in the folds of the large intestine and 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 gets tired quickly. 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 bodies, Toxocara eggs reach a length of 30 cm. From there they reach human hands and can also stick to clothing and shoes. They then enter the body, where they spread through the vessels and internal organs but are not excreted.
Ascaris
This pathogen is the most common; it occurs in 100 million people every year. Spreads through food, soil, water and dirty hands. The parasite reaches a length of 40 cm. The female lays up to 200, 000 eggs every day. They end up in the ground where they can last for many years. When parasites enter through food, they enter the intestines, spread through the bloodstream through the capillaries to the liver, brain, lungs and eyes and constantly multiply. Roundworms feed on red blood cells and nutrients that come from human food. As a result, a person often develops various types of anemia, dysfunction of the digestive system occurs, and allergic reactions occur. When roundworms penetrate the respiratory tract into deeper layers of the skin and lungs, diseases such as bronchial asthma, neurodermatitis, arthritis, cramps, fever and other symptoms similar to bronchitis or pneumonia arise. If the lungs are affected by roundworms, pulmonary vascular rupture, hemoptysis and other unpleasant symptoms reminiscent of tuberculosis are possible.
Often the liver, bile ducts, pancreas and kidneys are the places where parasites are damaged, leading to disruptions in the normal functioning of these organs. In particularly difficult cases, the following may occur: intestinal obstruction, purulent processes.
Wide tapeworm
This species of parasite can reach a length of 10 m. In the patient's body it is in a twisted state. Its nutrition comes from the nutrients consumed by humans. As a result, there is exhaustion of the body, 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.
Beef tapeworm (pork tapeworm).
Infection with tapeworms occurs through meat products - raw or undercooked. The length of this parasite is 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 affect the brain and eyes.
Echinococci
Infection with this type of parasite occurs through infected animals, soil-contaminated berries or fruits via water. The larvae of the parasites penetrate the body and spread through the bloodstream, affecting various internal organs: kidneys, liver, brain, as well as the lymphatic and skeletal systems. In addition, echinococcal larvae can degenerate into cysts and grow so large that they compress neighboring internal organs. Symptoms depend primarily on the location of the parasites.
General symptoms of the pathological condition
There are many common signs of this pathology, but each of them may or may not appear depending on the location and type of parasite.
- Syndrome of intestinal and stomach problems;
- dysbacteriosis;
- Constipation;
- Diarrhea;
- bile stasis;
- weight change;
- problematic skin;
- Allergy;
- pain in joints, muscles;
- Anemia;
- reduced immunity;
- avitaminosis;
- sleep disorder, nervousness;
- chronic fatigue;
- Oncology.
Stomach problems are one of the signs of parasites
Intestinal or stomach problems
Many types of parasites are located in the upper or lower intestine, causing inflammation of this area, dysfunction and bloating. In this case, the absorption of nutrients decreases. If the parasites are in the upper intestine, the fats are not broken down but reach the lower parts, causing cramps, alternating constipation and diarrhea.
In addition, this symptom is usually accompanied by:
- pain in the stomach area;
- Pain on left and right sides under ribs;
- nausea, heartburn;
- reduced or complete loss of appetite;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- Flatulence;
- dysbiosis;
- Intestinal/biliary colic.
If the digestive tract is not functioning properly, other accompanying symptoms are also observed that 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 – pale, dull complexion.
Stagnation of bile
Parasites located in the biliary tract or nearby organs, due to their large size, can block the ducts of the bile duct, causing obstruction of the main duct and difficulty in the outflow of bile, resulting in obstructive jaundice.
This problem also negatively affects the condition of the skin.
Weight change
The change in body weight can be either upward or downward. This is a result of a parasitic disease. Weight loss occurs due to the absorption of nutrients by the "undersettler". Obesity is also due to the fact that the parasite eats everything that a person eats, which is why he has a false feeling of hunger. The feeling of unsaturation also arises because the helminthThe body of the "host" is poisoned with its feces and a drop in blood sugar occurs.
Changes in body weight are a possible sign of parasites
Pain in muscles and joints
Parasites look for the most convenient place for them and sometimes "settle" in joints or muscles. As a result, there is tissue damage or an immune reaction to their presence in the body. This causes a person to feel muscle or joint pain.
allergy
Parasites disrupt the functioning of the digestive system, causing undigested pieces of food to enter the lower intestine. The immune system responds by activating the body's protective cells - eosinophils - which contribute to the development of an allergic reaction. Parasites also contribute to increased secretion of immunoglobulin E, which also contributes to an increase in the allergic reaction.
Decreased immunity
The presence of a parasite in the body affects immunity. The synthesis of immunoglobulin A, which also maintains immunity, decreases. This makes the body vulnerable to the negative influence of various bacteria and viruses.
Therefore, patients often become infected with colds, viral diseases and other diseases.
Sleep disorders, nervousness
Toxic parasite secretions have a negative effect on the functioning of the central nervous system, causing constant nervousness and worsening the quality of sleep. Patients often experience nighttime awakenings between 2 and 3 a. m. , caused by the body's "desire" to eliminate toxins secreted by parasites through the liver.
If the brain is damaged by parasite larvae, the following signs are possible:
- difficulty reading;
- hyperactivity;
- Attention deficit disorder.
Sleep disorders 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
His characters include:
- general weakness;
- Lowering or increasing body temperature for no reason;
- emotional instability;
- Depression;
- apathy towards all aspects of life;
- difficulty concentrating;
- poor memory;
- absent-mindedness;
- rapid fatigue with minimal physical activity.
These symptoms can also be caused by other diseases caused by the presence of the parasite.
Diagnostic methods
Diagnosing the presence of parasites is quite difficult, especially in the first period after their "invasion". 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. TheseHowever, methods did not always provide reliable results. Studies are currently being carried out that will help determine the presence of parasites with almost 100% certainty.
- stool analysis (at least 3 times);
- ELISA tests;
- enzyme immunoassay;
- Ultrasound examination of internal organs;
- serological examination methods;
- computed tomography;
- PCR diagnostics, which is the analysis for parasites using DNA analysis;
- Endobiopsy.
If there are signs of parasites, a stool examination is prescribed
These research methods help not only to determine the presence of parasites, but also to identify various diseases and dysfunctions of systems and organs, and to assess the condition of internal organs.
If there are several signs of damage caused by parasites, you should immediately contact a specialist who will prescribe all the necessary examinations. In this way, it is possible to recognize the "settler" in a timely manner 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 can 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 flatworms), 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 procedures, ultrasound and other methods can be used, depending on the type of parasite 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
Find out about the different types of parasites such as roundworms, flatworms, mites, lice, etc. so that you are prepared for possible infections.
Tip #3
Visit your doctor and veterinarian regularly for exams and parasite testing, especially if you travel or live in areas with high infestation rates.