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Infestation
and
Homoeopath
y
Dr. Rajneesh Kumar Shrama
MD (Homoeopathy)
Dr. Swati Vishnoi BHMS
Dr. Preetika Lakhra BHMS
Contents
Introduction...................................................................................................................2
Definition.......................................................................................................................2
Incidence.......................................................................................................................2
Pathophysiology............................................................................................................3
Causes...........................................................................................................................3
Types.............................................................................................................................4
Flatworms..................................................................................................................4
Flukes.........................................................................................................................4
Roundworms..............................................................................................................5
Signs and symptoms.....................................................................................................5
Acute infestation........................................................................................................5
Chronic infestation.....................................................................................................5
Diagnosis.......................................................................................................................6
Clinical Diagnosis.......................................................................................................6
Tapeworms..............................................................................................................6
Roundworms...........................................................................................................6
Pinworms................................................................................................................7
Threadworms..........................................................................................................7
Liver fluke...............................................................................................................7
Hookworms.............................................................................................................8
Investigations.............................................................................................................8
Stool examination...................................................................................................8
Dr. Rajneesh Kumar Sharma MD (Homoeopathy)
Introduction
Worms live in a variety of habitats, in the earth such as earthworms, in water such as the
leeches and in an animal such as malaria or human host such as tapeworms.
The worms that live inside or on human or animals are known as parasites and the condition
as parasitosis. They survive on the food supplies of their host and cause a wide range of
conditions and symptoms, ranging from mild to severe (Psora/ Causa occasionalis).
Definition
The state of being invaded or overrun by parasitic worms inside a living host is termed worm
infestation (Psora).
Incidence
In India, the incidence of worm infestation is quite common
Pathophysiology
Parasites use host organisms for their nutrients and thrive in environments where they have a
ready supply of food. The worms eat half-digested food in their hosts intestines as their own
food supply or suck blood.
Parasites injure and destroy the tissues of their hosts. They also produce toxic waste products
causing a wide range of health problems to the host. (Psora/ Syphilis/ Causa occassionalis)
Many parasites are minute and almost invisible to the naked eye, while others grow to large
lengths. Small sized parasites easily travel around the blood stream finding suitable places to
grow and develop or creep on surface of hot body.
Intra alimentary or intra visceral parasites invade intestine, liver, spleen, lungs, brain, blood
cells etc.
The adult parasites live in the intestine. During night, female parasites migrate to the anus
and lay eggs. These eggs later pass out through the stool and remain in the external
environment for several weeks. Humans become infected through unhygienic contact where
these eggs get ingested. The eggs enter into human body through water and food and they
breed in the intestines.
Causes
The main causes of intestinal worms are wrong food habits and faulty lifestyle. Worms
transmit through
Types
All these worms are characterized by following points Dr. Rajneesh Kumar Sharma MD (Homoeopathy)
Invertebrates
Long, narrow bodies without legs
Bilateral symmetry
Tissues, organs, and body systems
Have a nervous system with a brain
Reproduce asexually and sexually
Many have separate male and female
Some (most flatworms) are hermaphrodites
Reproduce asexually by breaking into pieces
Flatworms
Flukes
Roundworms, whipworms, hookworms
Tapeworm
Schistosoma
Ascaris lumbricoides
Flatworms
Flatworms include Tapeworms. Flatworms breathe and eat literally through their skin. Oxygen
and nutrients pass through their skin. They have no separate organs for digestion or
circulation.
They feed on the blood, tissue fluids, or pieces of cells inside the bodies of their hosts. They
live internally in humans and infect the blood and organs. Flatworms range in size from being
microscopic to some over 20 meters long as whale tapeworm.
The most common types of flatworms that live in humans are Tapeworms. Tapeworms live in
human intestines and feed on the partially-digested food in intestines.
Flukes
Flukes are a type of parasitic Flatworm. They have at least one external sucker, which is used
to attach themselves to their host. Blood flukes live in humans internally.
Roundworms
The most common types of roundworms are Pinworms or Threadworms, Hookworms, Ascaris
and Heartworms.
Acute infestation
Epigastric pain
Periumbilical pain
Diarrhea
Maculopapular dermatitis at the site by larva penetration
Perianal pruritus in children with Enterobius vermicularis infestation
Transient pneumonitis symptoms due to migration of larvae to lungs
Chronic infestation
Anal itching, especially at night when the female lays her eggs.
Anemia
Bad breath
Constant desire to eat food
Dark circles under the eyes
Diarrhea
Headaches
Iron deficiency anemia
Lassitude
Restlessness in the night with bad dreams
Weakness
Heavy and chronic infection of Trichuris with co-infection of Entamoeba can cause dysentery
and resemble hook-worm disease, acute appendicitis or amoebic dysentery.
Children may show
Irritability
Failure to thrive
Precipitation of protein energy malnutrition (PEM)
Intermittent diarrhea
Pot-belly
Occasionally patient may give history of passing worms in stools. Oral expulsion of round
worms is also occasionally perceived.
Diagnosis
Clinical Diagnosis
It is based on history of
Abdominal colic
Intermittent diarrhea
Vomiting
Teeth grinding during sleep in children
Signs of malnutrition
Poor growth for cases of chronic infestations
The type of Intestinal worms can be recognized based on the typical symptoms displayed by
each type of worm-
Tapeworms
They enter the body by contaminated food or undercooked food or meat. There are two
species of Tapeworm (taenia)- Taenia Solium (beef tapeworm) and Taenia Saginata (pork
tapeworm). Tapeworm resemble noodles and are white in color and mover in a squirming
motion.
Abdominal pain is the most common symptom of Tapeworm. This may or may not be
accompanied by weight loss.
Roundworms
The two roundworms- Toxascaris leonina and Toxocara canis, are more harmful than
tapeworms and produce cough, abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, inflammation of the intestine
and lungs, diarrhea, irritability, nervousness, fatigue, weight loss and allergic reactions.
Pinworms
Pinworms cause itching of the anus or vagina and may result in lesions in the anus. Itching
normally occurs at night which may cause fatigue, irritability, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Threadworms
These are characterized by regular bouts of diarrhea, alternating with constipation, intense
itching in the area of rectum, cough, fever and loss of weight.
Liver fluke
Liver fluke causes jaundice, fever, enlarged liver, pain under the ribs on the right side. If left
untreated, liver fluke can cause other complications, especially biliary tract disease.
Hookworms
The symptoms of hookworms affecting the intestine include nutritional disorders and anemia.
Investigations
The diagnosis is mostly clinical. However, stool samples may be seen for cysts and ova.
Perianal scrapings with cello tape or swabs from under the nails may be taken for eggs of
Enterobius. Peripheral blood smear may show eosinophilia.
Stool examination
For eggs in stools for Ankylostoma, Necator, Ascaris, Trichuris and Strongyloid species.
Proglottids are demonstrable in stools for Taeniasis.
For Entrobius infections in children ova can be noticed in perianal region using National
Institute of Health anal swab.
Blood examination
X- Ray
Ultra-sonography
Differential diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Homoeopathic treatment
Common remedies for worm infestation
abrot. acet-ac. ACON. aesc. AGAR. ager-c. agn. agri. Ail. all-c. all-s. alum. am-c. ambr. ambro.
anac. ant-c. ant-t. Anth. apoc-a. apoc. aq-calc. aq-mar. arec. arg-met. Arg-n. arge-pl. arge. Ars.
art-v. asaf. asar. asc-t. atis. Bapt. BAR-C. bar-m. bar-s. bell-p-sp. Bell. bism. borx. bov. bry. bufo
calad. calc-caust. calc-f. CALC. callil-l. cann-i. cara-p. Carb-an. Carb-v. carbn-s. carbn-tm. carc.
card-m. carli-a. cassia-o. CAUST. celo-t. Cham. Chel. chelo. chen-a. chen-vg. chim. Chin-b.
chin. choc. Cic. CINA cinnb. claus-an. claus-in. clerod-g. coca coca-c. COCAIN. cocc. coff. colch.
Coli. coloc. croc. crot-h. crot-t. cuc-m. cuc-p. cupr-act. cupr-o. cupr-ox. cupr. cycl. dig. diph-ttpt. DOL. dryop-i. dryop-p. dulc. emb-k. emb-r. emb-sc. erlan-c. esp-g. eucal. ferr-i. ferr-m.
Ferr-s. Ferr. fil. Form. frag. gaert. galla-q-r. geb-k. gink-b. Gran. GRAPH. grat. guare. haru-ma.
hed. helm. heroin. hir. Hyos. hyper. ichth. Ign. ina-i. Indg. iod. Ip. irid-met. jab. jatr-c. kali-br.
kali-c. kali-chl. kali-i. kali-m. kam. kou. kreos. kres. lach. laur. lipp. luna lyc. mag-c. Mag-m.
Mag-s. med. merc-c. Merc-d. Merc. mez. mill. mur-ac. musca-d. napht. naphtin. Nat-c. nat-m.
Nat-p. nat-s. nep. NIT-AC. Nux-m. Nux-v. oci-sa. ol-eur. othon-n. oxyg. pann. passi. pellin. petia. petr. ph-ac. Phos. phys. physal-an. Phyt. pic-ac. pin-s. plan. Plat. plect. podo. positr. prot.
psor. Ptel. Puls. quas. ran-s. Rat. rhod. Rhus-t. Ruta SABAD. sabin. sacch. sal-ac. SANG. Santin.
Scir. sec. sel. SEP. ser-a-c. SIL. sin-a. Sin-n. SPIG. Spong. squil. Stann. staph. Stram. stry.
strych-h. SULPH. sumb. syph. tab. tanac. tarent. tell. teph-v. TER. Teucr. thom-h. Thuj. thymol.
trem-or. Urt-u. Valer. vanil. Verat. vern-a. vern-am. Viol-o. Viol-t. zinc.
Dr. Rajneesh Kumar Sharma MD (Homoeopathy)
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nux-m. nux-v. petr. phos. plat. prot. Ptel. Rat. rhus-t. SABAD. sabin. santin. Scir. Sep. sil. sin-a.
Sin-n. Spig. Spong. squil. Sulph. tell. TER. Teucr. thuj. urt-u. Valer. vanil. vern-a. zinc.
RECTUM - WORMS - complaints of worms roundworm Abrot. acon. aesc. Agn. all-s. anac. antc. arg-n. Ars. asaf. asar. bar-c. bell. borx. calc. carbn-s. caust. cham. Chel. chelo. Chen-a. chenvg. chin. cic. CINA clerod-g. coloc. cupr. emb-r. Ferr-s. ferr. Gran. graph. helm. hyos. ign. indg.
iod. kali-c. kali-chl. lyc. mag-c. mag-m. merc-c. merc-d. merc. napht. nat-m. nat-p. nux-m.
nux-v. petr. phos. pin-s. plect. psor. rhus-t. ruta Sabad. santin. sec. Sil. SPIG. stann. staph.
SULPH. ter. teucr. Thuj. urt-u. valer. viol-o.
RECTUM - WORMS - complaints of worms schistosome Ant-t.
RECTUM - WORMS - complaints of worms - tapeworm - accompanied by salivation sabad.
RECTUM - WORMS - complaints of worms - tapeworm - Hypochondria; sensation as if in
region of Merc.
RECTUM - WORMS - complaints of worms - tapeworm - moon - full moon; during Merc.
RECTUM - WORMS - complaints of worms - tapeworm - moon - waning moon; during Sulph.
RECTUM - WORMS - complaints of worms tapeworm agn. agri. Ail. alum. ambr. anac. arec.
Arg-n. arge. ars. calc-caust. CALC. callil-l. Carb-an. Carb-v. carbn-s. carli-a. caust. chin. cina
cinnb. claus-in. clerod-g. coff. colch. croc. cuc-p. cupr-act. cupr-o. cupr-ox. cupr. emb-k. Fil.
Form. frag. geb-k. gran. Graph. grat. ign. kali-c. kali-i. kam. kou. laur. lyc. Mag-m. merc. Nat-c.
nat-m. nat-p. nat-s. nit-ac. nux-v. othon-n. pann. pellin. petr. phos. Plat. psor. Puls. rhus-t.
Sabad. sabin. sal-ac. santin. Sep. Sil. spig. spong. Stann. stry. strych-h. sulph. ter. teucr. thuj.
thymol. valer. Verat. zinc.
RECTUM - WORMS - complaints of worms trichinae ars. bapt. cupr-ox.
RECTUM - WORMS - complaints of worms whipworm podo.
SKIN - ERUPTIONS - urticaria - accompanied by pinworm urt-u.
SKIN - ERUPTIONS - urticaria - ascarides; with urt-u.
SKIN - WORMS; sensation of - boring and crawling on body; as if worms were tarent.
SKIN - WORMS; sensation of - Under the skin coca COCAIN.
SKIN - WORMS; sensation of ars. coca merc. nat-c. nit-ac. sel. sil. sulph.
SLEEP - RESTLESS - worms; from Nat-p. santin.
SLEEP - SLEEPINESS - worms; with Nux-m.
SLEEP - SLEEPLESSNESS - worms; from Ferr. teucr. Valer.
SLEEP - WAKING - worms, from calc-f.
STOMACH - APPETITE - ravenous - worms; from bar-c. calc. chin. Cina graph. lyc. nat-m. SPIG.
sulph.
STOMACH - ERUCTATIONS; TYPE OF - food - worm; like a puls. Sulph.
STOMACH - IRRITATION - worms; from santin.
STOMACH - NAUSEA - Throat, in - worm in; as if a puls. spig.
STOMACH - PAIN - cramping - worm; as from a nat-c.
STOMACH - PAIN - gnawing pain - worm; as from a nat-c.
STOMACH - PAIN - worms; from Cina gran.
STOMACH - VOMITING - worms; from Acon. bell. carb-v. chin. CINA Ip. lach. Merc. Nux-v. Puls.
SULPH.
STOMACH - VOMITING; TYPE OF - worms lumbrici acon. Cina sabad. sec.
STOMACH - VOMITING; TYPE OF worms Acon. anac. ars. bar-m. calc. Cina coff. Ferr. hyos.
merc. nat-m. Phyt. Sabad. SANG. sec. sil. spig. sulph. verat.
STOMACH - WORM; sensation of a - Upwards to the throat; climbing from pit of stomach zinc.
STOMACH - WORM; sensation of a - Upwards to the throat; climbing from pit of stomach
morning cocc.
STOMACH - WORM; sensation of a cina cocc. lach.
STOOL - MUCOUS - worm, like a stann.
STOOL - WORM-like graph. stann.
STOOL - WORMS agg. acon. Cina Merc. spig.
Bibliography
Chapter 209. Bites and Stings of Terrestrial and Aquatic Life > Dermatitis and Bites from
Marine Worms Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine, 8e
Chapter 214. Intestinal Worms and Parasites The Color Atlas of Family Medicine, 2e
Chapter 32. Infections of the Nervous System (Bacterial, Fungal, Spirochetal, Parasitic)
and Sarcoidosis > Infections Caused by Rickettsias, Protozoa, and Worms Adams & Victor's
Principles of Neurology, 10e
Encyclopedia Homoeopathica
Global Travelers > LOA LOA (EYE WORM) Tintinallis Emergency Medicine: A
Comprehensive Study Guide, 8e ..., worm burden is usually low, and symptoms are related to
hypersensitivity syndromes and not serious disease. The adult worms inhabit subcutaneous
tissues, move about freely, and can live for up to 18 years after the patient's last possible
exposure. They are spread from the bite of the Chrysops fly...
14
Helminthic Diseases of the Lungs > Diseases Due to Cestodes (Segmented Worms)
Fishman's Pulmonary Diseases and Disorders, 5e... A variety of segmented worms may cause
human disease, including Echinococcus. ...
Helminthic Diseases of the Lungs > Diseases Due to Trematodes (Flat Worms) Fishman's
Pulmonary Diseases and Disorders, 5e
WORMTISSUE
Radar 10
The Skin and Nails > Insects, Spiders, Mites, and Worms DeGowins Diagnostic
Examination, 10e
Tissue Nematodes > OTHER FILARIAL WORMS Sherris Medical Microbiology, 6e... Other
microfilarial parasites have been detected in humans, including species of Mansonella . These
are transmitted to people during the bite of the Culicoides midge. For generations, these
worms were felt to be harmless to patients, and their importance in parasitology was limited...