Symptoms of Worms in the Human Body

Intestinal worms are parasites or organisms that depend upon other organisms for existence. They are commonly caused by poor sanitation and hygiene, walking bare foot on infested soil or eating food that is not fully cooked, as well as contact with infected pets.
In some cases, worms may be spread through sexual intercourse when anal and oral sexual contact occur, according to the Planned Parenthood Federation.
The two most common internal parasites are Helminthes and protozoa. Both are worms and can live inside the human body for years without causing any symptoms. However, a variety of symptoms can be identified to diagnose a worm infection in the human body. Some of the common symptoms of intestinal parasitic infection are abdominal pain, gas, dysentery, nausea and vomiting. Other major symptoms may include;
Respiratory Distress: Roundworms may travel to the lungs through a person’s blood stream or lymphatic system. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms are similar to a person suffering from pneumonia or asthma. A person may experience difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath. Coughing and wheezing may be present. The clinic adds that the worms may spend between six to 10 days in the lungs until a person coughs them up, and then swallows them, they then travel to the intestine where they live the remainder of their life cycle.
Abdominal Distress: Abdominal cramps or pain frequently occur with mild intestinal worm infections. Many roundworm larvae live in the small intestines until they die, according to the Mayo Clinic. Diarrhea and blood in a person’s stool is common. A person may experience recurring episodes of nausea and vomiting.
Change in Appetite: An individual may experience changes in appetite as a result of parasites. Usually there is a noticed increase in appetite, because the parasite is taking nutrients from the host’s body. Some individuals may even experience weight loss with the increase in appetite. In contrast, some may experience a decrease in appetite. This may occur in conjunction with nausea and vomiting as the body attempts to fight or rid itself of the parasite.
Anal Itching: A person suffering from pinworms may have episodes of anal itching or discomfort. A person experiences the symptoms as the female pinworm lays her eggs. Symptoms lead to difficulty sleeping and restlessness. Some people suffering from pinworms may not experience this symptom.
Severe Infections: A person suffering from a severe internal worm infection may constantly feel tired, despite getting plenty of rest. Slow growth and weight loss are common. Diarrhea may continue, growing more severe and chronic. Worms may be visibly present in stool, or exiting through the nose or mouth, according to MedlinePlus. Worms may causes blockage in the intestines or biliary tract obstruction. Blockage causes severe pain, disturbance of sleep, restlessness and episodes of vomiting.
Bowel Changes: Changes in the bowels are common in those with intestinal parasites. Parasites survive by living in the intestines and taking nutrients from food ingested by the host. The intestines can be heavily populated by these parasites, making it difficult for waste to travel efficiently through the intestines which commonly causes constipation. Depending on the type of parasite, diarrhea or loose stools may occur.
It is advice that you deworm yourself every three months to stay healthy and fit.


By Mercy Kukah