Intestinal Worms

Intestinal worms are parasites who colonize the gastro-intestinal tract of humans and animals. Although they live throughout the body, they prefer the intestinal wall more. In humans, they make their way into intestinal tract through the hosts eating undercooked meat, drinking infected water, consumption of unclean vegetables, larva infected soil, food contaminated by dogs or the use the skin as a medium. Children often suffer from them due to larva infected soil. Many times children play in the soil and they do not wash themselves properly, or eat with unwashed and unclean hands. Hookworms make their way into the human body through bare feet. There are some common types of intestinal worms in humans, of which roundworms are the most common of them. These worms infect about one quarter of the world's population. Whipworms, threadworms, tapeworms, pinworms and hookworms are the other types of worms.

Symptoms of Intestinal Worms

In most cases, there are no, or very few, symptoms of intestinal worms. If the infection is not widespread, it is very difficult to notice any symptoms of these worms. Roundworm infection is said to cause inflammation of the intestine and lungs. It can also be accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting. Loss of weight, fever, nervousness and irritability are the common symptoms of roundworm infection.

Threadworms cause intense itching around the groin and rectum area. The most obvious symptom of threadworm infection is periodic and alternate bouts of diarrhea and constipation. Cough and fever is also seen in some cases. Hookworms, on the other hand, may cause anemia and nutritional disorders. The other symptoms of worm infection include foul breath, dark circles under the eyes, constant desire for food, restlessness at night accompanied by bad dreams and headaches. Weight loss and anemia are symptoms which are seen in most of the intestinal worm infection cases.

Treatment

There are two types of treatment methods, they are medicines and home remedies. However, prevention is the best cure. You will have to make sure you take required precautions about hygiene and the food you eat.

Medicines
If you suspect you have an intestinal worm infection, you may choose to opt for single dose pills, which kill adult worms. However, you will have to take the required precaution to prevent reinfection. There are also a number of homeopathic medicines which help in treating these worms in humans.

Home Remedies
There are a number of home remedies to treat intestinal worms. Some of the more popular and effective remedies are mentioned below:

• Garlic is one such remedy. It has been used by the Chinese, Greeks, Romans and Indians for getting rid of these parasites. Garlic is still used by modern-day medical practitioners as well. Garlic can be used in both, the fresh as well as the oil form. Chewing three cloves of garlic every morning on an empty stomach is of great help in treating intestinal parasites as well.
• Like garlic, carrots are also an important medicine used to treat worms. It is especially useful in treating threadworms in children. A cup of grated carrot, taken every day in the morning, helps in getting rid of these worms.
• Another simple remedy to treat intestinal parasites is to have a glass of boiled water with a tablespoon of rock salt in the morning everyday on an empty stomach.
• To treat roundworms papaya is said to be of immense help. A digestive enzyme in unripe papayas, known as papain, is a powerful agent that destroys roundworms. Fresh juice of unripe papayas, taken with honey, helps in treating these worms. One teaspoon of powdered papaya seeds, taken with a cup of warm milk or water on an empty stomach, can be of help in treating the worms.

It is better to prevent intestinal worms than worry about treating the condition. The most important measure to be taken is practicing good hygiene. Washing hands regularly all through the day, and especially before meals, is very important. If you have a pet at home, you will have to take the required measures for de-worming your pet, as there are chances of worm infection through the pet.