The most common type of human intestinal worm is the roundworm. It is estimated that one in every four humans is infected with roundworms. It is important to keep in mind, however, that parasites rarely cause any serious (or fatal) complications in Europe and North America. No matter what type of worm or how the worm ends up in the human body, whether it’s a bloodworm that somehow made its way into the human digestive system (extremely rare) or a roundworm, the vast majority of human intestinal worms may cause:

Loss of appetite
Abdominal discomfort
Rashes
Insomnia
Eye pain
Protein deficiency
Gas
Constipation
Mental dullness
Fever
Coughing
Nervousness
Vomiting
Nausea
Anemia
Stomach bloating
Bloody stools
Weakness
Chills
Diarrhea
Fatigue

It is important to keep in mind that these symptoms are also common symptoms for many other diseases and conditions, so its best to consult a physician for an accurate diagnosis. A physician will test for parasites by taking a feces sample and examining it for parasites and/or eggs. Fortunately, the vast majority of parasites can be eliminated by using some of the same methods or by ingesting some of the same types of medications or antibiotics.

Parasites can be eliminated from the body through the use of colon cleansers and/or colonics, several rounds of antibiotics or medications as prescribed by a physician, and/or by utilizing a number of different herbal or natural remedies. It’s best to consult an herbalist for the very best herbal remedies to get rid of human intestinal worms. That said, there are several popular (and effective) remedies consisting of the following combinations of herbs and ingredients:

·Black walnut leaves, wormwood, quassia, cloves, male fern
·Capsicum, wormwood, sage
·Cramp bark, pumpkin seed, capsicum, thyme, garlic
·Black walnut, pine needles, sassafras

In general, herbal remedies should be taken orally for a minimum of two weeks.

Some individuals may complain of re-infection. It is very important to change your eating habits immediately if you suspect a parasite or worm infection. It’s best not to go back to your regular eating habits in order to prevent re-infection. Certain foods, spices, and beverages might help to ward off parasite infections or to keep you from becoming infected through food or water sources. These include:

Cranberry juice
High-fiber foods
Pumpkin seeds
Garlic
Pomegranates
Apple cider vinegar
Figs
Bottled or distilled water
Thoroughly cooked meats and seafood
Organic fruits and vegetables, washed thoroughly

Avoid the following foods and activities if at all possible:

Undercooked meats
Chestnuts
Sugar
Watercress
Refined carbohydrates
Swimming in lakes, rivers, an streams
Using the microwave to cook meats

And finally, never underestimate the power of clean hands! You should always wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom whether it is in your home or in a public place. In addition, wash kitchen utensils and countertops with hot soapy water after each use and wear gloves when changing your cats litter box or cleaning up after your pets.

In all, there are more than 3,200 types of identifiable parasites or worms. These thousands of worms and parasites are divided into four categories including: Cestoda, Nematoda, Protozoa, and Trematoda. Just a few of the different types of parasites that may infect humans include: tapeworms, (Cestodes); hookworms, pinworms, and roundworms (Nematodes); giardia (Protozoa); and flat worms, (Trematoda).

The most common type of human worm is the roundworm. It is estimated that one in every four humans is infected with roundworms. It is important to keep in mind, however, that human worms rarely result in death in Europe and North America. No matter what type of worm the human body may be infected with, whether it’s a bloodworm that somehow made its way into your system (extremely rare) or a roundworm, the vast majority of human worms can cause some of the same unpleasant symptoms. Symptoms of human worms may include:

·Loss of appetite
·Abdominal discomfort
·Rashes
·Insomnia
·Eye pain
·Protein deficiency
·Gas
·Constipation
·Mental dullness
·Fever
·Coughing
·Nervousness
·Vomiting
·Nausea
·Anemia
·Stomach bloating
·Bloody stools
·Weakness
·Chills
·Diarrhea
·Fatigue

It is important to keep in mind that these symptoms are also common symptoms for many other diseases and conditions, so its best to consult your physician for an accurate diagnosis. Your physician will test for parasites by taking a feces sample and examining it for parasites and/or eggs. Fortunately, the vast majority of parasites can be eliminated by using some of the same methods or by ingesting some of the same types of medications or antibiotics.

Human worms can be eliminated from the body through the use of colon cleansers and/or colonics, several rounds of antibiotics or medications as prescribed by your physician, and/or by utilizing a number of different herbal/natural remedies. It’s best to consult an herbalist for the very best herbal remedies to get rid of human worms and other human parasites. There are, however, several popular and effective remedies consisting of the following combinations of herbs and ingredients:

·Black walnut leaves, wormwood, quassia, cloves, male fern
·Capsicum, wormwood, sage
·Cramp bark, pumpkin seed, capsicum, thyme, garlic
·Black walnut, pine needles, sassafras

Herbal remedies should be taken orally for a minimum of two weeks.

Some individuals may complain of re-infection. It is so important to change your eating habits immediately if you suspect a parasite infection and it’s best not to go back to your regular eating habits in order to prevent re-infection. There are certain foods, spices, and beverages that can help ward off parasite infections or keep you from becoming infected through food or water sources. These include:

·Cranberry juice
·High-fiber foods
·Pumpkin seeds
·Garlic
·Pomegranates
·Apple cider vinegar
·Figs
·Bottled or distilled water
·Thoroughly cooked meats and seafood
·Organic fruits and vegetables, washed thoroughly

Avoid the following foods and activities if at all possible:

·Undercooked meats
·Chestnuts
·Sugar
·Watercress
·Refined carbohydrates
·Swimming in lakes, rivers, streams
·Using the microwave to cook meats

And finally, never underestimate the power of clean hands. You should always wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom whether it is in your home or in a public place; wash kitchen utensils and countertops with hot soapy water after each use; and wear gloves when changing your cats litter box or cleaning up after your pets.

The life cycle of filarial worms is similar among the various species. An infected fly or mosquito bites a human and deposits larvae of the filarial worm into the feeding site. The larvae reach adulthood, mate, and the females produce offspring. The young worms, called microfilariae, reside in the bloodstream during peak times for human-biting insect activity. At this stage, they may be consumed when a mosquito or fly lands and feeds. The cycle continues as the insect lands on a new human host and transmits the larvae. It may be several months and often years before an individual exhibits symptoms of having been infected with filarial worm larvae.

Eight known species of filarial worms infect humans. They are divided into three categories: worms that invade tissue and skin, those that reside in the lymphatic system, and those that thrive in areas around the stomach, lungs, and heart.

The parasites Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori cause lymphatic filariasis. Worsening symptoms often lead to a condition known as elephantiasis, which causes unusually large swelling in the extremities.

River blindness, technically called onchocerciasis, is also a serious condition as this filarial worm – Onchocerca volvulus – is responsible for lesions on the eye and diseases of the skin.

Infections caused by the loa loa, or eye worm, may include swelling and skin eruptions. As the loa loa worm migrates through the eyeball, the sensation is psychologically unpleasant as well. Mansonella streptocerca is a third species known to reside in skin and deeper tissue.

Mansonella perstans and Mansonella ozzardi inhabit the stomach and lung cavities and are also found, although less often, around the heart.

Animal heartworms, also classified as filariae, very rarely may invade the human system and migrate to the lungs. They cannot survive inside a human body, but will cause scar tissue and may be mistaken for a cancer nodule. In some cases, pain and a persistent cough will alert a doctor to the condition, but the node itself will cause no long-term harm.

Filarial worm infestations occur in several countries, including Australia, Africa, the Philippines, Asia, and South America. And, somewhat surprisingly, human worm infections are one of the leading causes of disability, especially those that affect the eyes and the lymph vessels.

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Loiasis is the infestation of loa loa worms in humans. The larvae are first collected from an infected individual when a mango fly (horsefly) or a deer fly bites the individual, and acquires the larvae. The larvae then progress through the fly’s body, finally reaching the feeding tube. They are then transferred to a human host when the fly bites the human. The larvae may remain unnoticed for months or years before becoming an adult, mating, and producing offspring.

Adult female Loa Loa worms can reach a length of 2 1/2 inches while males are approximately half that size. Loa Loa worms can live approximately fifteen years inside their human hosts. They travel continuously through connective and deep tissue, often without the victim experiencing any sensation other than occasional itching.

It is when the worm slows or reaches a sensitive spot that a person will often feel the greatest discomfort. At this point, immune reactions may also include localized redness and a condition called “Calabar” swelling. Skin eruptions and muscle pain may be evident.

When the Loa Loa worm reaches the eye tissue, it can be easily seen and felt within the eyeball for up to an hour. It is usually removed under local anesthesia if the patient is within proximity of a qualified physician. When an adult worm dies, the surrounding tissue may abscess and require excision. Encephalitis can occur if the worm reaches the brain.

After mating, the female will deposit eggs – called microfilariae. These tiny organisms then travel in a worm-like fashion in the bloodstream during daytime hours, when potential host flies are most abundant. They congregate in the lungs at night.

A Loa Loa worm infection is rarely fatal and treatments often cause more life-threatening side effects than the actual infestation, especially if the worms are widespread. The most common treatments are DEC (diethylcarbamazine) and Ivermectin.

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