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Deworming Is Important for Adults and Children

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When we see cockroaches or mosquitoes in our house, we take little time to call pest control. However, there are intestinal worms that prey on our tissues and blood. They live in our digestive system and can cause various health problems that can range from abdominal pain to seizures or blood infections. Luckily, deworming is quite effective in preventing and controlling these infections. Many believe that deworming is important for children, but it is equally essential for adults as well. Let’s learn more about the symptoms of intestinal worms, treatment, and the benefits of deworming.

What is Deworming?

Deworming is the process of administering anthelmintic medication to kill parasitic worms or inhibit their ability to grow and reproduce. The medication prevents worms from infesting the digestive tract or other parts of the body. Intestinal worms in adults and children can cause various health problems if left untreated. It can cause anaemia and malabsorption in children, impacting their growth and development. The child doesn’t get sufficient nutrients as the worms absorb them. The other problems that can occur due to worm infestation are pneumonia, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, etc. Although it is not a life-threatening infection, it can cause severe health issues.

Why is Deworming Crucial for Adults and Children?

According to the WHO, soil-transmitted worm infections are among the most common human diseases, with about 24% of the world’s population infected. Intestinal worms can cause abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, etc. Worm infestation in children can lead to anaemia and malabsorption, affecting their growth and development. The child does not get sufficient nutrients as the worms absorb the nutrients. Similarly, in adults, it can cause various clinical problems.

In the initial stages, worm infestation may not be harmful, but if ignored, these worms can form cysts in the liver and lungs, leading to pneumonia and other neurological conditions. Pregnant women can face complications due to worm infection as it can cause anaemia. So, symptoms of worms in the stomach should not be ignored, and deworming should be done as prescribed by your doctor.

Why is Deworming Crucial for Adults and Children?

Regular deworming is important for adults and children, as it yields the following benefits:

• Better Absorption of Nutrients

The presence of worms in the intestines hampers their function to absorb nutrients from the food you eat. Though you consume a balanced diet with all the nutrients in the right quantities every day, you may not feel the effect of these foods if you have worms in your tummy. Hence, deworming is an important process to get rid of these worms and improve your intestines’ nutrient-absorption capacity.

• Improved Immunity

Ringworms, hookworms and tapeworms in your intestine interfere with the production of white blood cells in your body. Therefore, your body’s defence system gets compromised, making you prone to frequent infections and ailments. When these parasitic worms are killed, your immune system starts to function properly, thereby helping you fight against ailments better.

• Supports Healthy Growth and Development in Children

The immune systems of children are not fully developed, making them more prone to infections and diseases than adults. Deworming them regularly strengthens their immune systems. It also ensures that they absorb all the nutrients from the food they eat. Hence, deworming plays an important role in the overall growth and development of children.

• Keeps Health Risks at Bay

Adults and children are prone to severe health risks when they experience parasitic worm infestations. When these are not identified properly, these issues can get complicated and lead to severe anaemia, malfunctioning of the intestines and other related issues. Today, deworming medicine for adults and kids is widely available. Use these for regular deworming sessions and keep yourself and your children safe from serious health complications.

• Assists Overall Health and Immunity

Deworming helps to strengthen your immune system. Eventually, your overall health improves as you don’t fall sick often. You can reduce issues like frequent infections, fatigue, intestinal blockages, and other gastrointestinal problems by deworming regularly.

Symptoms of Intestinal Worms

Some common symptoms of intestinal worms are:

• Sudden weight loss

• Abdominal pain or discomfort

• Fever

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea

• Weakness

• Fatigue

• Loss of appetite

• Dehydration

• Frequent urination

• Worms in stool

How to Diagnose a Worm?

If you experience any symptoms of worms in the stomach, such as nausea, abdominal pain, or weight loss, your doctor or gastroenterologist may recommend tests, such as:

• Stool/faecal test to detect parasites.

• Colonoscopy is recommended when stool samples do not show the presence of parasites due to diarrhoea.

• Blood test to identify types of parasites.

• Tape test:

This involves covering the anus with tape and then examining the tape under a microscope to identify eggs.

• Antibody tests:

Checking for antibodies the body produces when infected with a parasite.

• Imaging tests:

X-rays, computed tomography (CT), or MRI.

How to Prevent Worms Naturally?

Following good hygiene practices can help prevent worms naturally. This includes:

1. Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry, and fish.

2. Wash fruits and vegetables properly before consuming them.

3. Drink safe, clean water.

4. Wash your hands with soap before preparing food or eating and before and after using the toilet.

5. Avoid walking barefoot.

6. Clean animal waste and disinfect the area.

7. Maintain pet hygiene and deworm pets regularly.

8. Maintain nail hygiene.

9. Keep your surroundings clean.

Effective Home Treatments for Deworming

Simple ingredients from our kitchen can help in treating worms. Let’s see what they are and how they can be effective in killing parasitic worms:

• Turmeric:

Turmeric is known as a superfood. Its anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties help in internal healing and remove parasitic worms from the body. Add a tablespoon (tbsp) of turmeric powder to a glass of buttermilk and drink it daily.

• Carrots:

Rich in vitamin A, carrots boost your immune system and help the body fight against intestinal worms.

• Pumpkin seeds:

Cucurbitacin, a compound present in pumpkin seeds, paralyses the worms and thereby helps flush them out of the body. Take a tbsp of pumpkin seeds (roasted) and mix them with water and coconut milk (half a cup each). Drink this on an empty stomach every morning for a week.

• Raw papaya:

While papaya seeds help remove worms from the body, an enzyme called papain, which is present in raw papaya, acts as an anthelmintic and kills the worms.

• Garlic:

The sulphur-containing amino acids present in raw garlic permanently eliminate parasites from the body. Have it raw or as garlic tea every day on an empty stomach for a week.

• Coconut:

Lauric acid, abundantly found in coconuts and converted to monolaurin, is known to boost immunity. It is the most effective home remedy to treat worms.

• Cloves:

The antiseptic and anti-parasitic properties help destroy worms and their eggs. Boil 2-3 cloves with a cup of water, simmer for 5 minutes and strain. Drink these 3 to 4 times daily for a week.

Treatment of Intestinal Worms

Treatment depends on the type of worm infection and symptoms, but most infections are treated with anti-parasitic medication for 1 to 3 days to kill the worms. In severe cases where the worms have invaded other parts of the body, your doctor may recommend surgery. Symptoms begin to improve in a few weeks.

Although rare, anti-parasitic medications can have mild side effects like fever, stomach pain, nausea, headache, dizziness, hair loss, depression, fatigue, lack of sleep, nervousness, etc. If you experience any of the symptoms, consult your doctor. If you are allergic to any medicines, remember to inform your doctor before starting the medication. Having a health insurance policy is also essential to take care of medical emergencies.

Apart from medication, there are some home remedies which can be effective in killing the worms.

FAQs About Deworming

1. What is the importance of deworming in adults?

Worm infestation is a common problem not only among children but also in adults. Although it may not seem like a severe issue initially, if left untreated, it can become dangerous. It can weaken the immune system, cause anaemia, pneumonia, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, etc. In children, intestinal worms can lead to malabsorption, which affects their growth and development. Hence, deworming in adults and children is important. In deworming, your doctor will prescribe drugs that will kill the worms or prevent them from growing and spreading to other parts of the body.

2. How frequently should I deworm my child?

Experts recommend deworming twice a year, or every six months, starting from the age of 2. The dosage of the prescribed medication will depend on the severity of the disease prevalent in your area.

3. Who’s supposed to deworm?

This depends on certain factors, such as age, geographical location, and prevalence of the infection in the community. However, WHO recommends deworming for preschool and school-going children, pregnant women, people with certain health conditions such as weak immune systems, and communities where the prevalence of parasitic infections is high. Deworming is done to eliminate the worms and prevent infections.

4. Can babies get worms?

Yes, babies can get worms; some common types that can infect them are roundworms, tapeworms, pinworms, and hookworms. Babies get infected by consuming contaminated food or water, coming into contact with soiled surfaces, through contact with an infected person, or even through pets. Good hygiene practices, such as washing your hands properly before eating and after playing outdoors or with pets, consuming safe food and potable water, and keeping your house clean, can prevent worm infestation among babies.

5. Is there a particular age for deworming?

No, there’s no particular age. Children are dewormed periodically every six months as a preventive measure. In places where the prevalence of infection is high, deworming is a routine part of healthcare for both adults and children. However, it’s important to consult your doctor if you or anyone in the family experiences any symptoms of worm infestation.

6. When should adults take deworming tablets?

Consult a medical professional to know how to deworm adults and children the right way. While deworming medications are in a liquid form for kids, adults can use them in the form of tablets. Deworming tablets for adults should be taken exactly in the same dosage mentioned by the doctor to keep yourself safe from side effects. If you notice any issues after consuming the tablets, please check with your doctor.

Also, get yourself a good health insurance policy to cover your medical costs, in case hospitalisation is needed for problems caused by worms in your body.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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