Helminths are different types of parasitic worms. Once in the body, they are localized in the lumen of the intestine or in the organs of the hepatobiliary system, causing disruption to their work. It is quite difficult for a sick person to understand when the helminth infection occurred - the symptoms of such a pathology usually appear after 2-4 weeks and are similar to those of other diseases.
Symptoms of helminths from the digestive tract
For the invasion of helminths, these symptoms are characteristic of the gastrointestinal tract:
- Constipation and bile stasis - large parasites can block individual organs, for example, mechanically close the intestinal lumen or bile ducts. As a result, the patient deteriorates peristalsis.
- Diarrhea - a series of parasites produce hormone-like substances that provoke frequent and watery stool.
- Bloating and flatulence - the appearance of such symptoms provoke helminths, trapped in the small intestine. Usually, these signs can appear for long months with varying intensity.
- Irritable bowel syndrome - any parasite irritates and causes inflammation of the intestinal wall, which significantly reduces the absorption of nutrients. This can provoke alternation of constipation and diarrhea or the appearance of spasms.
Symptoms from the nervous system
The main symptoms of helminth infection include various disorders of the nervous system. It can be:
- Nervousness - the toxic substances released by parasites, and the waste products of their metabolism constantly irritate the central nervous system. Because of such systematic poisoning, the patient has constant anxiety, nervousness and depressed mood;
- Sleep disorders - due to attempts by the body to get rid of toxic substances, a person can often wake up in the middle of the night, especially often between 2 and 3 o'clock in the morning;
- Grinding of teeth in a dream is one of the responses of the nervous system to infection with intestinal helminths;
- Syndrome of chronic fatigue - this symptom can manifest itself in the form of strong weakness, apathy, reduced concentration and poor memory.
Common symptoms of helminths
When helminths get into the blood of a person, the most common symptoms are:
- increased subfebrile temperature;
- dry cough (sometimes with mucopurulent sputum);
- allergic reactions;
- pain in the joints and muscles.
Virtually all parasites reduce the production of protective immunoglobulins, weakening the immune system. Therefore, the consequence of parasitism in the body of worms is often colds and infections.
After helminths migrate into the lungs, there is a symptom such as flying infiltrates. These are clusters of cellular elements with an admixture of lymph and blood that can be seen on the x-ray. They are temporary and usually disappear after 2-3 weeks. In case of severe parasite infestation, pneumonia or bronchitis may develop with suffocation.
Sometimes helminths penetrate into the eyes, so the patient has symptoms from the visual system. Most often it is:
- chorioretinitis;
- formation of subcutaneous nodules;
- keratitis or neuritis of the optic nerve.
Complications of helminthiosis can be mechanical jaundice, acute appendicitis and problem skin. Basically, parasites cause atopic dermatitis and hives, but in severe cases they provoke the appearance of eczema or seborrhea.
Many patients after infection with helminths are concerned about weight problems. Sometimes it sharply decreases, as digestion is disturbed and appetite decreases. But it happens that a person is gaining weight. This is due to the fact that when the body parasitizes the blood, the level of sugar falls sharply, and at the same time the metabolism is severely impaired.