The presence of parasites in the body leads to serious health consequences.These include the development of allergies, general exhaustion and reduction of immune defenses, hypovitaminosis and anemia, as well as disorders of the nervous system, neuroses, insomnia and poor appetite.All these manifestations can be eliminated by proper treatment directed against parasites, their larvae and eggs, as well as by the use of drugs that will restore the metabolic processes disturbed by the presence of uninvited guests in the body.
Getting rid of parasites: general principles
First of all, treatment is aimed at completely ridding the body of worms and their larvae.If even one parasite remains in the body, it can lead to re-infection.Medicines alone cannot do this, and this is due to the fact that many parasites are transmitted through dirty hands.In this sense, even if the patient drank a medicine for parasites, but at the same time neglects the rules of personal hygiene and constantly comes into contact with the source of parasites (humans or animals), a quick re-infection is quite possible.
Therefore, the treatment of parasites consists of two mandatory components:
- Using antiparasitic drugs to remove them from the body.
- Implementation of prevention of re-infection (personal hygiene, disinfection of the house, personal belongings and surfaces, treatment of all family members, pets).
In addition, there is often a need for additional therapy for disorders caused by the parasite in the body.
Treatment against parasites
The basis of therapy directed against parasites found in the body is the use of antiparasitic drugs.These drugs can affect both adults and their eggs and larvae.The selection of antiparasitic drugs should be made exclusively by a doctor after receiving the results of all necessary examinations and assessing the general condition of the patient.Self-administration of antiparasitic drugs for both treatment and prevention of worms is prohibited, and this is explained by several factors.First, all antiparasitic drugs belong to a special group of chemotherapeutic agents;have a strong toxic effect on living organisms.And the human body is no exception in this regard.Improper dosing or selection of the drug can damage liver or kidney function without harming the helminth.
Second, the doctor calculates the dose based on age and weight, using an antiparasitic drug for a short course and the maximum permissible and safe dose.
Third, based on the results of the analysis, a drug for parasites was selected, which will be effective in this particular case, because different types of worms (as well as their larvae and eggs) die from different types of drugs.
Medicines for parasites: classification of medicines
Medicines that act on parasites and their larval forms, eggs, are divided into several classes, depending on their effect on certain groups of worms.
The first group are antiparasitic drugs that act on the class of nematodes.They are divided into two subclasses:
- Medicines that act against intestinal nematodes.
- Medicines that act on species of extraintestinal nematodes.
The second group includes drugs that have a harmful effect on the class of cestodes.They are also divided into two subgroups:
- Medicines that act on intestinal parasites.
- Medicines that lead to the destruction of cestodes outside the intestinal lumen.
The third group includes all those antiparasitic drugs that act on trematodes.They are also divided into subcategories:
- Medicines that act on intestinal parasites.
- Medicines that lead to the destruction of cestodes outside the intestinal lumen.
A special place is occupied by drugs from the fourth group, which belong to a wide spectrum of action.This means that such an antiparasitic drug will be effective against most known helminths.
Complementary therapy: treatment of allergies, improvement of well-being
In addition to antiparasitic treatment, drugs are often used to improve the patient's condition, normalize well-being and generally strengthen.In addition, due to the strong sensitization of the body when infected with parasites, treatment of allergies with specific agents is also indicated.Allergy occurs as a response to the penetration and reproduction of parasites that are foreign to the organism;it can worsen during periods of mass parasite death.Therefore, antihistamines are sometimes prescribed to prevent the exacerbation of allergies during the treatment of helminthiasis.
To alleviate intoxication and remove waste products and parasite antigens, especially if there is a severe allergy, the simultaneous use of antihistamines and sorbents is indicated along with taking anthelmintics.Moreover, sorbent and antiallergic therapy begins approximately three days before taking the main drug and continues for at least 5 days after it.
Often, helminthiasis leads to a disturbance of the intestinal microbial flora, so active consumption of fermented dairy products, plant foods and preventive intake of probiotics is recommended in order to restore the normal biocenosis.During treatment, irritating, heavy food, dense food and excess protein should be excluded from the diet.The most useful will be soups and light vegetable stews, cereals and fermented milk products.It is important to drink plenty of fluids to actively remove toxins from the body.