As the name suggests, intestinal worms, more commonly known as parasitic worms, are microorganisms, which reside in the intestines. These invaders tend to penetrate the human body silently and cause diverse signs, symptoms, and health issues.
Intestinal worms, which are of diverse types, including hookworms, roundworms, Ascaris, threadworm, Trichinella, liver fluke, pinworms, and tapeworms, survive by feeding off the human body. Majority of these worms don’t cause severe illness and can be easily cured with the right drugs and medications. Hence, gaining proper understanding about the intestinal worms symptoms and its causes is vital for effective prevention and treatment. So, without further ado, let’s delve further into this topic and gain a bit more understanding about these ‘unseen’ enemies within.
Common Symptoms of Intestinal Worms
Intestinal worms are capable of causing a diverse range of symptoms and some of these might look similar to the signs of other gut disorders. This is why it is important to get yourself checked by a doctor for a prompt and accurate diagnosis in order to receive proper treatment and avoid any complications.
Symptoms of intestinal worms can vary from individual to individual and are mostly dependent on the type of worm causing the infection and immune system coupled with the severity of the infestation. Some of the common intestinal worms symptoms are:
- Appetite loss
- Unexplained fatigue
- Tenderness or abdominal pain
- Gas and bloating
- Nausea or vomiting
- Unintentional weight loss
- Diarrhoea or dysentery
- Visible worms in the stool
- Rash/itching around vulva or rectum
These are some of the common symptoms but at times, intestinal worms may not cause any symptoms at all. Also, some kinds of worms may also affect the central nervous system, causing severe complications. So, it is better not to ignore any symptom and consult your healthcare provider at the earliest.
Intestinal Worms: Causes and Risk Factors
Intestinal worms can enter the body through different ways. The main cause of intestinal worm infections is sanitisation issue but this problem may happen due to other causes as well. Some of the common causes of intestinal worms are given below:
- Intake of contaminated water
- Eating food infected with worm eggs/larvae
- Poor hygiene and sanitation
- Having a weak immune system
- Visiting an area, which is infected with parasitic worms
The risk factor of getting infected with intestinal worms increases when you come in contact with animals or people walking barefoot in contaminated soil. Children are at a higher risk as they play in environments where soil might be contaminated. Moreover, individuals living in areas that are not properly developed or don’t have access to sanitation facilities may be at a higher risk too.
Intestinal Worms Remedies
Once an intestinal worm enters your body, it might put you at risk of contracting anaemia, malnutrition, and intestinal blockage. It can also cause hindrance in proper functioning of the lungs and heart and even cause human cysticercosis. Hence, it is always advisable to seek professional help without any delay.
Proper treatment for intestinal worms is dependent on the severity of symptoms and type of worm you have been infected with. Not many might be knowing but some tapeworms may disappear on their own if you have a healthy defence mechanism. In case of mild or severe infections, your doctor may prescribe OTC medication too that may offer maximum benefit. But you need to take medicines as prescribed else it may not work as it should. Apart from medicines, some of the remedies for the management and prevention of intestinal worms infection are:
- Wash hands regularly before eating
- Don’t share your personal items
- Don’t defecate in public and always use clean restrooms
- Avoid raw fish or meat
- Cook meat and poultry in a thorough manner
- Properly clean, peel and cook fruits and vegetables
- Drink clean water
- Avoid going in water, which you feel might be contaminated
- Don’t walk barefoot
- Try incorporating more fibre in your diet
- Keep your digestive tract healthy by consuming probiotics
- Keep your environment clean and hygienic
- In case you have pets, make sure they are not infected with worms too as it may increase the risk of transmission to humans
Conclusion
Intestinal worms are quite common worldwide and pose a serious health concern, especially in areas where there is poor sanitation coupled with less access to proper healthcare. Hence, it is important to know and understand their symptoms, causes, and risk factors. Moreover, anyone can be at risk of becoming infected with intestinal worms due to diverse reasons, be it eating uncooked meat or swimming in contaminated water or even by sharing personal items.
Hence, if you feel anything unusual like abdominal pain/discomfort or unexplained weight loss or dysentery, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare professional, as only they can provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment. Make sure not to indulge in self-medication or home remedies as they may not be effective and can result in serious complications.
