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 most often not clear that "settlement" has occurred. Signs of parasites are not always obvious, sometimes they are similar to the symptoms of other diseases, from which they can be distinguished using various research methods.
Types of parasites and the places of their localization in the body
Many types of parasites have already been discovered. Some of them can be found quite often in your body.
Pinworms
Quite common in young children and teenagers. They live in the large intestine. Their length is no more than 1-1. 5 cm in length. Their peculiarity is that living in the folds of the large intestine, they lay eggs on underwear and skin folds. Maturation of the egg occurs within 6 hours. In this case, the child experiences severe itching, grinds his teeth in his sleep, eats little, gets tired quickly. This parasite can enter the child's body through dirty hands, toys, toilet seats, dishes and underwear of other children.
Taxi driver
Carriers of this parasite are domestic animals - cats and dogs. In their body, they reach 30 cm. Eggs of toxocars can survive for quite a long time in the soil and sand. They get there through human hands and can also stick to clothes and shoes. Then they enter the body, where they spread through the vessels and internal organs, but are not exported.
Ascaris
This pathogenic organism is the most common; it is found annually in 100 million people. Spread through food, soil, water, dirty hands. The parasite reaches 40 cm in length, lays up to 200 thousand eggs every day. They fall into the soil, where they can persist for many years. If the penetration of parasites occurs through food, they penetrate the intestines, spread with the blood flow through the capillaries, in the liver, brain, lungs, 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, disorders in the work of the digestive system occur, and allergic reactions occur. When ascaris penetrate through the respiratory tract into the deeper layers of the skin and lungs, diseases such as bronchial asthma, neurodermatitis, arthritis, convulsions, fever and other symptoms similar to bronchitis or pneumonia develop. If the lungs are affected by roundworms, the following are possible: rupture of pulmonary vessels, hemoptysis and other unpleasant symptoms reminiscent of tuberculosis.
Often, the site of parasite damage is the liver, bile ducts, pancreas, kidneys, which leads to disturbances in the normal functioning of these organs. In particularly difficult cases, intestinal obstruction, purulent processes may occur.
Broad tapeworm
This type of parasite can reach 10 m in length. In the patient's body it is in a twisted state. Its nutrition comes from the nutrients consumed by humans. As a result, a person experiences exhaustion of the body, iron deficiency anemia, nausea, morning sickness, abdominal pain, loss of strength and drowsiness.
Infection with this type of parasite occurs most often through raw fish.
Beef (pork) tapeworm
Tapeworm infection occurs through meat products - raw or undercooked. The length of this parasite reaches from 2 to 7 meters. It 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, soil-contaminated fruits or berries, through water. Parasite larvae penetrate the body and spread in 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, growing to such a size that they press on nearby 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.
- intestinal syndrome, stomach discomfort;
- dysbiosis;
- constipation;
- diarrhea;
- stagnation of bile;
- weight change;
- problem skin;
- allergy;
- pain in the joints, muscles;
- anemia;
- lowered immunity;
- avitaminosis;
- sleep disturbance, nervousness;
- chronic fatigue;
- oncology.
Stomach discomfort is one of the signs of parasites
Intestinal or stomach discomfort
Many types of parasites are found in the upper or lower part of the intestine, which leads to inflammation of this area, disruption of its functioning and bloating. In this case, the absorption of nutrients decreases. If the location of the parasites is in the upper part of the intestines, then the fats are not broken down, but enter the lower parts, thus 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 under the ribs;
- nausea, heartburn;
- reduced or complete lack of appetite;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- flatulence;
- dysbiosis;
- intestinal/biliary colic.
If the digestive tract does not function properly, there are other accompanying symptoms that affect the condition of the skin:
- various types of rashes (acne, pimples);
- pigmentation;
- decreased tone, frequent formation of wrinkles;
- dehydration, dry skin;
- change in complexion - yellowish, dull tone.
Bile stagnation
Parasites located in the bile ducts or nearby organs, due to their large size, can block the ducts of the tract, which creates a blockage of the common duct and difficult outflow of bile, causing obstructive jaundice.
This problem also negatively affects the condition of the skin.
Weight change
The change in body weight can be both up and down. It is a consequence of a parasitic disease. Weight loss is due to the consumption of nutrients by the "subsettler". Obesity is also due to the fact that the parasite consumes everything that a person eats, due to which he experiences a false feeling of hunger. The feeling of satiety also arises due to the fact that the helminth poisonsthe body of the "host" with its feces and a drop in blood sugar occurs.
Changes in body weight are a possible sign of parasites
Muscle and joint pain
Parasites look for the most comfortable place for themselves and sometimes "settle" in the joints or muscles. As a result, tissue damage or an immune reaction to their presence in the body occurs. This causes a person to feel pain in the muscles or joints.
Allergy
Parasites disrupt the functioning of the digestive system, as a result of which undigested pieces of food enter the lower intestines. The immune system reacts to this 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 allergic reaction.
Reduced immunity
The presence of parasites in the body impairs immunity. The synthesis of immunoglobulin A decreases, which also maintains the level of immunity. As a result, the body becomes susceptible to the negative influence of various bacteria and viruses.
Because of this, patients are often infected with colds, viral and other diseases.
Sleep disturbance, nervousness
The toxic secretions of the parasites negatively affect the functioning of the central nervous system, cause constant nervousness, worsen the quality of sleep. Patients often experience night awakenings between 2 and 3 am, which are caused by the body's "desire" to get rid of toxic substances released by the parasites through the liver.
If the brain is damaged by parasite larvae, the following signs are possible:
- difficulty reading;
- hyperactivity;
- attention disorder.
Sleep disturbance is 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 reason;
- emotional instability;
- depression;
- apathy towards all aspects of life;
- impaired concentration;
- poor memory;
- distractedness;
- 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 "invasion". Previously, the most effective methods were the analysis of feces and duodenal intubation. These studies made it possible to determine the presence of fragments of parasites, their eggs and larvae. But these methods do not always give reliable results. At the moment, research is being carried out that helps to establish the presence of parasites with an almost 100% guarantee.
- stool analysis (at least 3 times);
- ELISA tests;
- enzyme immunoassay;
- ultrasound examination of internal organs;
- serological research methods;
- computed tomography;
- PCR diagnostics, which includes analysis for parasites using DNA analysis;
- biopsy.
If there are signs of parasites, a stool examination is prescribed
These research methods not only help 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 "settler" 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 different, including helminths (round 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 methods, ultrasound and other methods can be used depending on the type of parasites and their habitat.
Useful tips
Tip #1
Pay attention to weight and appetite changes in you and your pets as these may be signs of parasites.
Tip #2
Learn about the different types of parasites such as roundworms, flatworms, mites, lice, and more. , to be prepared for possible infections.
Tip #3
Visit your doctor and veterinarian regularly for checkups and parasite tests, especially if you travel or live in high-infestation areas.