May 15, 2009

Home Remedies for Worms In Stomach

Posted in Category : Common Ailments

Stomach worms can be described as parasites that are found in your gastrointestinal tract. There are different types of parasitic organisms that may invade your tummy. Some of the commonly found worms in stomach include:

  • Roundworms
  • Hookworms
  • Tapeworms
  • Pinworms
  • Threadworms
  • Giardia

The presence of these parasites in the tummy can lead to several problems and complications. Therefore, it is important for you to kill stomach worms and eliminate them as soon as possible.

Causes of Worms in the Stomach

Anyone can get worms in the stomach, though this problem is a lot more common in children. These parasites enter the body because of contaminated water or food. At times, worms could get into your body through your nose, wounds or mosquito bites. Pinworm eggs often gain entry into the body through the mouth. Contact with infected clothes, bed linen and other such objects could also expose your gastrointestinal tract to stomach parasites. Some of the other causes of worms in the stomach include:

  • Improper disposal of human waste
  • Walking barefoot on contaminated soil
  • Ingestion of larvae or worm eggs through partially cooked and raw meat
  • Lack of proper hygiene

Symptoms of Worms in the Stomach

Exposure to stomach worms may cause you to experience a number of unfavorable symptoms. You will know that you are suffering from worms in the stomach, in case you face signs and symptoms like:

  • Anemia
  • Appearance of a skin rash or blisters
  • Bloating in the abdominal area along with excessive gas
  • Dark circles under the eyes
  • Depression
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Fatigue and tiredness
  • Fever, generally accompanied by cough
  • Foul breath or halitosis
  • Headaches
  • Inflammation in the lungs or intestines
  • Lack of focus or concentration
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Nervousness or irritability
  • Pain in the calves
  • Restlessness during the night
  • Severe itching in the rectal area
  • Weakness in the legs
  • Weight loss

The signs and symptoms of stomach worms in children, may also include:

  • Bedwetting
  • Bleeding from the nose, gums or rectum
  • Blisters on the inner part of the lower lip
  • Disturbed sleep
  • Grinding teeth during the night
  • Hyperactivity
  • Increased sensitivity to light
  • Twitching eyelids

In many cases, people suffering from stomach worms pass stools in which the parasites are clearly visible. These worms may also lead to nutritional deficiencies, especially in little kids. Therefore, it is important to consult a health expert and undergo treatment as soon as these symptoms become evident.

Treatment of Worms in the Stomach: There are several medicines that can be prescribed in the treatment of stomach worms, which include
•    Albendazole
•    Mebendazole
•    Niclosamide
•    Praziquantal
•    Pyrantel

However, these medicines mainly alleviate the symptoms of tummy worms. In order to kill the worms and get rid of them, you will need to maintain a healthy diet, follow strict hygienic measures and use a few home remedies.

Healthy diet: The first step of treating stomach worms is following a healthy diet. For the first week of the treatment, you need to follow a diet that consists of only fresh fruits and vegetables. Make sure that the diet you follow comprises of:

  • Beetroots
  • Bitter melon
  • Carrots or carrot juice
  • Cranberries
  • Garlic
  • Pineapples
  • Pomegranate
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Raw papaya
  • Tomatoes

A diet for the elimination of worms in the intestines should include at least 8 to 10 glasses of water each day. Avoid having processed food, meat, dairy products, junk, alcohol, caffeine and sweets until the worms are completely gone. Your doctor may advise you to take Vitamin C or zinc supplements to get rid of stomach worms.

Hygienic Measures: Cleanliness helps prevent and treat stomach worms to a great extent. You, as well as those who are living with you, need to follow strict hygienic measures, which include:

  • Washing hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, before eating
  • Getting all clothes, bed linens and towels washed in hot water after one use
  • Keeping fingernails short and trimmed
  • Wiping the genital area, front to back, after using the toilet
  • Ensuring that all food you eat has been cooked and stored in the appropriate way
  • Wearing footwear while walking on soil that may be contaminated

These hygienic measures also help prevent the recurrence or worms in the digestive tract.

Home Remedies: There are many home and natural remedies that help kill stomach worms. Some of the remedies that are effective in getting rid of stomach worms include:

  • Anise
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Barberry
  • Black walnuts
  • Cloves
  • Curled mint
  • Goldenseal
  • Horsetail
  • Oregon grape
  • Sage
  • Tansy
  • Tea tree oil
  • Wormwood

However, there are a few side effects associated with these remedies and therefore, they should be used very carefully. In case you experience any adverse reaction after using these remedies, speak with your doctor immediately.

References

  1. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000628.htm
  2. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001391.htm