Parasitic Worms in Humans

Parasitic worms, also known as helminths, are organisms that live inside their hosts. In humans, they live inside the body, in the digestive tract or the spinal area and feed on the food consumed by the host. Parasites in the human body cause weakness and disease as the body is not able to absorb the nutrients properly due to the parasites' presence in the digestive tract. Let us understand these parasitic worms by knowing about their types, the symptoms and diseases caused by them, the preventive measures to be adopted in order to avoid them, and the treatments available to get rid of them.

Types

There are various types of parasitic worms in humans, which are categorized under various phyla. The major ones are mentioned below.

Platyhelminthes
Platyhelminthes, also known as flatworms, are bilaterally symmetrical and have no internal cavity. They have flat bodies and there is an absence of circulatory and respiratory organs. They are parasitic and feed on other life forms. There are 173 discovered species of platyhelminthes found in humans. Under this category come the following.

Trematoda: Trematodes, commonly known as flukes, are oval-shaped and have a tough outer body layer, known as tegument that protects it from any trauma in the digestive tract of the host organism. Trematodes are also found in the liver and bile duct. There width can only be around one inch, the length can extend to a few inches.

Digenea: Digenea are a subclass of platyhelminthes. They are flatworms which are characterized by syncytial tegument. They have two suckers - ventral and oral. Adult digenea are found commonly in the digestive tract, but they may exist in all the organ systems in the body. There are 113 discovered species of digenea found in humans.

Turbellaria: They are flat shaped with a leaf like structure. There is an absence of circulatory and respiratory system in these worms, which means that their oxygen and nutrient requirements are met through diffusion. There are 3 discovered species of turbellaria found in humans.

Cestoda: Cestodes, commonly known as tapeworms, live in the digestive tract of the host organism. Cestodes do not have a mouth, head or a digestive tract. However, their body has a segment called scolex which attaches itself to the intestinal wall and this intestinal parasite is thus able to absorb food.

Eucestoda : Eucestoda is a type of flat worm which fall under the class cestoda. Its larvae have six hooks on the head. There are 57 discovered species of eucestoda found in humans.

Acanthocephala
The acanthocephala, also known as thorny-headed worms, have complex life cycles. The worms in this phylum have an evertable proboscis and spines with which they cut and hold on to the gut wall of the host organism. There are 7 discovered species of acanthocephala found in humans.

Nematoda
Worms belonging to this phylum are also known as roundworms in humans. Their major characteristic is the presence of a digestive system resembling a tube on both its ends. They have long slender bodies and the length may vary from 2 - 30 cm. There are 138 discovered species of nematoda found in humans. Heartworms or Dirofilaria immitis, spread through mosquito bites from one host to another, belong to this phylum.

Nematomorpha
The distinguishing feature of nematomorpha worms, also known as Gordian worms, is that they tie themselves in knots. Their average size of worms from this phylum is 1 cm to 1 meter. The adult nematomorpha are free living while the larvae are parasitic. There are 24 discovered species of nematomorpha found in humans.

Diseases Caused

Endo limax nana eats the calcium from the bones thereby causing arthritis. Ascaris, a type of roundworm, get into the lungs and cause asthma. Hookworms or necator americanus are found in the intestines. Hookworms drink blood from the blood vessels thereby causing anemia. Intestinal parasite infection is caused by tapeworms, too.

Symptoms

Commonly seen symptoms of parasitic worms are stomach pain, indigestion, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, reduced appetite, inability to gain or lose weight, urinary tract infections, stools with mucus, constipation, water retention and anemia.

Treatment

As far as treatment of parasitic worms in humans is concerned, the doctor would first take a stool test to ascertain the type or worm eggs that are present in the body. Then, in accordance with the type of parasitic worms present, he will prescribe a vermicides. Vermicides or anthelmintics are the drugs that root out parasitic worms from the body by either killing them or stunning them. Some of the commonly used anthelmintics are thiabendazole, which are effective against roundworms and hookworms, and flubendazole which are effective against intestinal parasites.

Prevention

Maintain cleanliness by taking a bath everyday. Wash your hands regularly especially after going to the toilet and before eating. Wear clean, washed clothes. Maintain hygienic sanitary conditions. Wash vegetables and fruits before eating or cooking. Do not keep cooked food outside for long periods. Such preventive measures will surely lessen the prevalence of parasitic worms in your surroundings.

For naturally treating parasitic worms, consume herbs such as pumpkin seeds, cloves, black walnut, gentian root, peppermint, thyme, fennel seed and grapefruit seed. These herbs are known for their parasite killing properties and have been used as natural parasite cleanse, for ages.

Currently an estimated three billion people are infected with parasitic worms. With such high numbers, their prevention and treatment either by natural body cleansing or by a physician, has become a necessity.