Understand the Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis of Intestinal Worms.
Intestinal worms, also called as parasitic worms, are one of the main intestinal parasites. Common types of intestinal worms include:
- Tapeworms, which include tapeworms and fluke
- Roundworms, which cause roundworms, pinworms, and hookworms
Intestinal worms, or parasitic worms like tapeworms and hookworms, feed on the human body and can cause symptoms similar to other intestinal disorders. Prompt diagnosis is crucial to prevent complications. Treatment typically involves antiparasitic drugs and is effective for most people.
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Causes of intestinal worms by type
Tapeworms and roundworms are common parasitic infections found in various habitats and may not always be visible.
Tapeworm
- Tapeworms are flatworms that are spread by drinking water tainted with the eggs or larvae of other tapeworm species. Another way that tapeworms can infect people is through raw or undercooked meat.
- Tapeworms push their heads into the intestinal wall and stay there. From there, some types of tapeworms can produce eggs which become larvae that migrate to other parts of the body.
- A tapeworm looks like a long white ribbon. They can grow up to 80 feet long and live in humans for up to 30 years.
Flukes
- Flukes, a type of flatworm, are less common in humans than in animals. Raw watercress and contaminated water are primary sources of fluke infections in humans.
- Intestines, blood, or tissues become their habitat. Flukes come in a host of different types. Only a few inches are the maximum length of any.
Hookworms
- Hookworms are transmitted through feces and contaminated soil. Walking barefoot on infested ground can lead to contact with hookworm larvae, which can penetrate the skin.
- Hookworms are found in the small intestine, where they use a "hook" to attach into the intestinal wall. Typically, they are not longer than 0.5 inches.
Pinworms (threadworms)
- Pinworms are small, generally harmless parasites more commonly found in children.
- These roundworms reside in the colon and rectum, with females laying eggs around the anus, typically at night.
- Eggs can survive on various surfaces and are transmitted when touched and ingested.
- Pinworm infection is generally harmless and easily treatable.
- Rare cases of pinworms in the appendix, more common in children than adults, have been reported.
- Studies suggest that pinworms are a rare cause of acute appendicitis.
- Parasitic infections rarely cause acute appendicitis, but symptoms can mimic those of appendicitis.
Trichinosis Worms
The roundworms of trichinosis are transmitted in animals. The most common way to get trichinosis in humans is by eating undercooked meat that contains the larvae. The larvae mature in your intestines. As they reproduce, these larvae can travel out of the intestines to muscles and other tissues
Symptoms of intestinal worms in adults
Here are some common medicines used for treating stomach worms:
- Albendazole: Effective against a broad spectrum of intestinal worms.
- Mebendazole: Commonly prescribed for pinworms, roundworms, and hookworms.
- Pyrantel Pamoate: Often used to treat pinworms, roundworms, and hookworms.
- Ivermectin: Used for treating various parasitic infections including strongyloidiasis.
- Praziquantel: Specifically used for treating tapeworms and flukes.
- Nitazoxanide: Treats a variety of protozoal and helminthic infections.
How are intestinal worms diagnosed?
The physician may request several tests to diagnose intestinal worms.
Tests may include:
- Fecal tests for signs of infection
- Blood tests to certain types of parasites
- Colonoscopy, using a thin camera to check the intestine for parasites
- Imaging tests to check other organs for signs of damage from the parasite
- tape tests
A duct tape test involves placing a piece of duct tape over the anus while the person is sleeping to check for signs of eggs.
Anyone who suspects they have an intestinal worm should see a doctor.
What are the treatments available for intestinal worms?
Some intestinal worms, like tapeworms, may resolve without treatment with a strong immune system and healthy lifestyle. However, specific infections may require antiparasitic medication
- Treatment for intestinal worms depends on the type of infection and your symptoms.
- Tapeworms are typically treated with praziquantel, which paralyzes and removes them from the intestine.
- Roundworm infections are commonly treated with mebendazole or albendazole. Symptoms usually improve within a few weeks of treatment, and your doctor may retest your stool afterward to ensure the worms are gone.
When to visit a Doctor?
Your family doctor can refer you to a gastroenterologist. You may need to see a doctor if the worms have blocked the intestines. What you can do Before your appointment, you may want to write down the answers to the following questions:
- When did your symptoms start?
- Does anything improve or make your signs worse?
- Have you noticed worms in your stool or vomited?
- Have you recently traveled to developing countries?
- What medications and supplements are you taking?
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What are the home remedies for intestinal worms?
- Berberine: Berberine, found in herbs like European barberry, goldenseal, and coptis, shows promise in fighting intestinal parasites. Preliminary studies suggest it may help protect against tapeworm infection.
- Papaya Seeds: In a 2007 pilot study, 60 children with intestinal parasites were given either papaya seed elixir or honey alone. After seven days, significantly more children who received the papaya seed elixir had parasite-free stools.
- Pumpkin Seeds: Pumpkin seeds, containing amino acids and compounds like berberine, cucurbitine, and palatine, offer potential as a natural remedy for intestinal parasites. A 2016 preliminary study found pumpkin seed extracts to have anti-parasitic activity.
- Wormwood: In a 2010 preliminary study, wormwood was found to treat intestinal parasites by killing Heterobranchus longifilis. Its sesquiterpene lactones weaken the parasites' membranes.
- Diet: Doctors of natural medicine sometimes recommend dietary strategies in the treatment of intestinal parasites to optimize stomach acid, which is protective against foodborne parasites. These strategies include:
- Temporarily avoid coffee, refined sugar, alcohol, and refined grains
- Include more garlic in your meals
- Increase your intake of carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, and other foods rich in beta-carotene (a precursor of vitamin A , which can increase resistance to helminth penetration)
- Rebuild the beneficial bacteria in your gut by stocking up on foods rich in probiotics such as yogurt
- Eat foods rich in vitamins C and B
- Avoid raw meat or fish
Practitioners may recommend a bowel cleanse or detox, combining a high-fiber diet with supplements like psyllium, beets, and flax seeds to flush out intestinal parasites.
