Worms in the Digestive System: A Comprehensive Guide

Worms, also known as parasites, can infest the human digestive system, feeding on nutrients and causing a range of health problems. Poor sanitation, contaminated food and water, and lack of hygiene can increase the risk of getting infested with worms.

Types of Worms that Infest Humans

Several types of worms can infest humans, including:

– Tapeworms: Flat worms that live in the intestine, attaching themselves to the intestinal wall and growing up to 80 feet in length.
– Hookworms: Worms that spread through stool and contaminated soil, attaching themselves to the intestinal wall with a hook-like structure.
– Pinworms: Tiny, round worms that live in the colon and rectum, laying eggs around the anus.
– Trichinosis worms: Worms that are ingested through undercooked meat, maturing in the intestines and reproducing to infest muscles and other tissues.
– Flukes: Flat worms that infest animals and humans, typically through contaminated water and edible plants.

Symptoms of Worm Infestation

Symptoms of worm infestation may not appear until the infection reaches a peak. Mild symptoms may include:

– Nausea
– Abdominal pain
– Weight loss
– Lack of appetite
– Diarrhea
– General weakness

Specific symptoms may vary depending on the type of worm, such as:

– Tapeworms: lumps or bumps, allergies, fever, or seizures
– Flukes: fever and fatigue
– Hookworms: fatigue, anemia, and itchy rashes
– Trichinosis worms: swelling of the face, headache, light sensitivity, conjunctivitis, and muscle pain and tenderness

Diagnosis of Worm Infestation

Diagnosis typically involves:

– Stool examination: examining a stool sample for parasitic worms, larvae, or eggs
– Colonoscopy: inserting a tube with a camera via the anus to reveal intestinal contents
– Blood test: detecting parasites in the bloodstream
– Imaging: using MRI, CT, and X-rays to detect infestations in muscles or other organs
– Tape test: using a clear tape to detect pinworms in the anus

Treatment of Worm Infestation

Treatment typically involves medications that kill the parasites, with the dead worms excreted via stool. Treatment depends on the type of parasite and is given in preset doses and schedules. It’s essential to follow the schedule for complete eradication of the worms.

References:

https://www.healthline.com/health/intestinal-worms

https://www.healthline.com/health/worms-in-humans

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324042#types-of-worm