Treatment methods for opisthorchiasis with folk remedies, recipes and recommendations

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This disease occurs quite frequently in a number of regions of Russia (for example, the Volga, Irtysh, and Ob river basins). It is included in the natural focal group of diseases, i.e. high levels of the pathogen are maintained by its circulation among animals in the wild that eat fish. The worm can infect humans, cats and dogs, pigs, and wild fur-bearing forest inhabitants. Infection occurs through eating raw or poorly cooked fish. The doctor, having diagnosed opisthorchiasis, chooses treatment with folk remedies or traditional medicine based on the needs of the patient.

Stages of infection

What is opisthorchiasis

Opisthorchiasis refers to helminthiasis. It is caused by flatworms belonging to the class of flukes. After the parasite enters the human body, damage occurs to the liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts.

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Definition of disease

The clinical picture is characterized by the following symptoms:

• intoxication syndrome;
• allergic reactions, up to the development of asthmatic bronchitis, Quincke's edema;
• the appearance of signs of dysfunction in the digestive system;
• neurological disorders;
• dyspeptic syndrome (nausea, heartburn, vomiting, belching);
• fever;
• pain in the epigastric region;
• rashes on the skin (chest, back, arms);
• yellowness of the skin;
• poor appetite;
• muscle pain;
• increase in liver size.

If therapy is not started on time, the acute stage of the disease transforms into the chronic stage. At the same time, it becomes more difficult to suspect a parasitic invasion, and the manifestations become less pronounced.

Symptoms of the disease

Important! A prolonged course of the disease can lead to the formation of cancer of the digestive organs.

Pathogen

The causative agents of opisthorchiasis are liver flukes, including Opisthorchis felineus (cat fluke or Siberian fluke), a small lanceolate-shaped parasite 8-18 mm long and 1.2-2 mm wide. The development of the parasite occurs with the participation of two intermediate hosts: mollusks and carp fish. The final hosts are humans and carnivores.

The first intermediate hosts are freshwater bithiniid mollusks of the genus Codiella, living in drying up shallow floodplain reservoirs. Their infection occurs by ingesting opisthorch eggs that enter the reservoir with the feces of the final hosts, along with silt from the bottom of the reservoir. In the body of the mollusk, the parasite undergoes metamorphosis. This stage of parasite development lasts for 2 months. The resulting cercariae leave the mollusk and actively invade the body of carp fish.

In the body of a fish, the parasite is located in the muscles and subcutaneous tissue. Here it moves to the next stage of development and turns into a metacercaria, which lies in a round gray cyst measuring 0.17-0.21 mm. The larva inside is very mobile. The freed metacercaria (length 0.44-1.36 mm, width 0.15-0.30 mm) has two suckers and an excretory vesicle filled with black granules. 6 weeks after infection of the fish, the parasite becomes invasive, that is, capable of infecting the final host. Of all the life stages of opisthorchis, only the metacercariae is capable of taking root and reproducing in the body of humans and carnivorous mammals. Potential carriers of opisthorchis larvae are ide, dace, roach, rudd, bream, chub, bluegill, white-eye, sabrefish, asp, tench, gudgeon, bleak, minnow, verkhovka, and spinach. In the Ob basin, the highest infestation is observed in ide, slightly less in dace and roach.

The final hosts of the parasites (humans, cats, dogs, foxes, arctic foxes, ferrets and other carnivores) become infected after eating infested fish. In the stomach and the initial part of the small intestine of the final host, metacercariae are freed from cysts, after which they penetrate through the bile ducts into the gallbladder and bile ducts of the liver. Here, after 10-12 days, they reach sexual maturity and begin to lay eggs. Eggs of the parasite that fall on the soil die within 8-10 days, but if they fall into water they remain viable for up to a year. The parasite can live in the body of the final host for 10-20 years.

Treatment of helminthiasis

Treatment of opisthorchiasis should not be limited to the prescription of anthelmintic drugs. We need to take an integrated approach. There are several stages in getting rid of parasites:

1. Preparation period. Before you start using medications for helminths, the body must undergo a little preparation. For this purpose, drugs with a choleretic effect are prescribed. Additionally, antispasmodics, hepatoprotectors and adsorbents are taken. This treatment course lasts 2-3 weeks.
2. Direct deworming. Medicines in this group can only be taken as prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication is fraught with the development of complications. It is dangerous to independently decide to stop a course or make changes to the prescribed treatment regimen.
3. Recovery period. It includes repeated use of choleretic drugs. This is done to remove accumulations of dead parasites from the ducts. Additionally, hepatoprotectors, various dietary supplements, and vitamins are prescribed to restore normal functioning of the body.

Attention! It makes sense to take control tests no earlier than 6 months after the end of therapy. If this is done earlier, the examination result will not be reliable.

Diagnostics

In the diagnosis of opisthorchiasis, the most widely used are x-ray methods (cholecystocholangiography), ultrasound, computed tomography, etc.

Parasitological confirmation of the diagnosis becomes possible in the 4th week after infection, when helminth eggs appear in the contents of the duodenum and in feces. The currently available immunological methods for diagnosing opisthorchiasis are not specific and sensitive enough; sometimes it is advisable to use them only as an addition to parasitological methods.

Parasitological diagnosis, based on the examination and detection of helminth eggs in feces and/or duodenal contents, is currently the only means of confirming the diagnosis.

Medicine for opisthorchiasis in adults

For the purpose of deworming, a doctor may prescribe one of the following drugs (the active ingredient in all of them is praziquantel, which helps get rid of the fluke):

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• cysticide;
• biltricide;
• cesol;
• azinox;
• bithionol;
• chloroxyl

Important! This group of drugs cannot be used in the early stages of gestation. When prescribed to lactating women, you should refrain from breastfeeding for two days after taking praziquantel tablets.

Drug therapy

The main medications used to get rid of opisthorchiasis are Biltricide and Azinox with the active ingredient praziquantel.

These drugs are very toxic and can cause a variety of side effects:

• dizziness;
• nausea;
• rashes and more serious manifestations of allergies;
• convulsions;
• myalgia;
• feverish condition;
• weakness;
• diarrhea;
• increased sweating;
• abdominal pain;
• increased intracranial pressure;
• vomiting

You cannot prescribe these medications yourself - an incorrectly selected dosage will cause significant harm to your health.

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Folk remedies for opisthorchiasis

Traditional medicine recipes aim to reduce the appearance of sexually mature worms, create conditions in which parasites cannot live and reproduce, and in some cases are aimed at destroying flukes. The advantage of this therapy is that the plants contain substances that help restore the epithelial lining of the digestive organs and restore their normal functioning. It remains to figure out how to get rid of parasites using specific means.

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Proper nutrition

Nutrition should be done in a gentle manner, but have a stimulating effect on the secretory activity of the digestive system. It is not recommended to eat very hot or cold foods. Meals should be fractional, often, but in small portions.

What foods should be included in the diet:

• fruit and berry juices;
• compotes, jelly;
• tomato juice without added salt;
• weak tea, coffee with milk only;
• infusion of rose hips;
• stale bread;
• low-fat, mild cheese;
• low-fat dairy products;
• vegetable puree soup;
• a spoonful of butter per day;
• unhealthy cookies;
• steamed one-egg omelette;
• honey, fruit jam;
• porridge cooked in water;
• lean meats;
• lean fish and poultry;
• soaked herring;
• apples, pears, plums, peaches, apricots.

Food should be steamed or baked. Avoid adding excess salt and spices. Do not fry foods, do not use oil in the cooking process.

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What should be excluded from the diet:

• baked goods;
• confectionery;
• soups with meat or fish broth, mushroom soups;
• fatty types of meat and fish products;
• boiled or fried egg;
• pickled, salted vegetables;
• sausages;
• canned food;
• ice cream, chocolate;
• alcoholic drinks.

Birch tar

This method is considered quite effective. It does not require significant costs or any special training.

Advice! It is better to take the medicine in the morning before breakfast.

The essence of the method: you need to take two drops of birch tar and mix with two tablespoons of boiled water. Every day the dosage should be increased by 1-2 drops until it reaches ten drops per day. Then the quantity is reduced in reverse order. The treatment course lasts about three weeks. Aspen bark

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Aspen bark contains phenols, which have a toxic effect against parasites. The anthelmintic effect is based on this. The dose of toxic compounds is so small that it has no side effects on the human body. There are a number of studies that prove the therapeutic effectiveness of this drug. Aspen bark can be prescribed to both adult patients and children. To enhance the effect and speed up the achievement of a positive result, it is recommended to supplement treatment with choleretic preparations.

Recipes:

1. Preparation of the decoction. Take 100 g of crushed bark and add 1 liter of cold water. Next, bring to a boil over medium heat and cook for 15 minutes. Then remove, cool and leave to infuse for about 4 hours. Take 50-100 ml 30 minutes before meals.
2. Preparation of tincture. You need to pour 100 g of dry matter into 1 liter of vodka (you can take medical alcohol and dilute it with water). Leave to infuse in a dark and warm place for about 3 weeks. You need to drink 1-2 tbsp. l. before meals. Cannot be used to treat opisthorchiasis in children.

The course of treatment takes 3-4 weeks. If there is a need for repeated therapy, then it is necessary to take a break for a month.

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Herbs

A complex of medicinal herbs can rid the human body of the fluke present in it, help the body recover as a whole, improve its functioning, remove toxic substances produced by helminths, and erect a protective barrier. As a rule, the preparations contain components that have anti-inflammatory, reparative, choleretic and antiparasitic effects.

Herbal treatment

List of plants from which you can independently or on the recommendation of a doctor make an individually selected collection:

• plantain leaves;
• calendula flowers;
• St. John's wort inflorescences;
• tansy;
• wormwood leaves;
• thyme leaves;
• clover flowers.

To prepare the decoction you will need 2 tbsp. l. collection They need to be poured with 1.5 cups of boiling water and allowed to brew. It is recommended to consume 150 ml per day. You can undergo treatment for as long as you like. A lasting therapeutic effect will be achieved after the first month of therapy.

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Pumpkin seeds

When using pumpkin seeds to treat opisthorchiasis, you can not only get rid of parasites, but also satisfy your hunger.

Recipes:

1. Millet porridge is cooked in water. Take the herring and remove all the bones. Then the herring and pumpkin seeds are passed through a meat grinder. When ready, mix with millet porridge. The dish is consumed in the morning on an empty stomach. After this, it is recommended to take a laxative or perform a cleansing enema. The duration of the course is as follows: three doses of porridge, with a 7-day break between them.
2. Take crushed pumpkin seeds, 3 yolks, 2 tbsp. l. flower honey and a little water. All ingredients are mixed until a homogeneous consistency is obtained. The medicine is taken on an empty stomach 20 minutes before the morning meal. The course is 10 days, then a 7-day break. Thus, it is necessary to repeat the treatment three times.

Garlic and cloves

Garlic is rightfully considered a universal product. It helps in the fight against helminths, bacterial and viral infections, and helps restore the immune barrier.

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Getting rid of flatworms can be done at home. For this you will need cloves and young garlic.

The essence of the technique: 5 cloves of garlic are crushed manually or with a special device and poured with 1.5 glasses of low-fat milk. The resulting liquid must be poured into an enamel pan, put on fire and brought to a boil. After this, 5-6 inflorescences of dried cloves are added. When ready, remove the mixture from the heat and cool. Before you start taking it, you must pass it through several layers of gauze or through a sieve. The medicine is taken 30 minutes before meals. The course of treatment is two weeks. Black Walnut

Black walnut is able to fight the proliferation of helminths, destroy laid eggs and remove waste products and decay products of worms from the body.

Method of preparation: nuts are collected unripe while their shell is soft. Take any container and completely fill it with whole fruits. After this, the bottle must be filled with vodka or diluted medical alcohol. Place in a dark place and leave for about 3 weeks. Chanterelles

Another effective remedy in the fight against opisthorchiasis can be a tincture of chanterelle mushrooms.

Appearance of the parasite

Method of preparation: wash the mushrooms and grind through a meat grinder. To complete the recipe you only need 4 tbsp. l. chanterelles, to which you need to add 300 ml of vodka. The tincture should be kept for 3 weeks.

The course of therapy is one month. Drink chanterelle tincture 2 tsp. before bedtime. Shake the mixture before drinking.

Diet therapy. Sample menu for the week

During treatment and after it, you must adhere to a certain diet. This period can last from several months to 2 years - the specialist determines the timing of diet therapy individually.

Patients do not eat:

• fried, salted, spicy, canned, fatty, smoked foods;
• soups with bone, meat, fish or mushroom broth;
• sharply limit sugar consumption;
• exclude from the diet some vegetables and fruits, alcohol, and river fish.

Permitted cereals and plant products include:

• pasta;
• yesterday's bread, crackers, diet bread;
• porridge (oatmeal, semolina, buckwheat, millet, rice);
• bran;
• dried fruits;
• parsley, dill, celery;
• Chinese cabbage and broccoli;
• root vegetables (potatoes, carrots, beets)
• cucumbers;
• green beans;
• pumpkin;
• Bulgarian pepper;
• zucchini;
• seaweed;
• sweet apples, bananas, watermelon, pomegranates - in small quantities;
• vegetable oil (refined) – no more than 15 g per day.

Animal products consumed:

• lean meat (beef, poultry);
• lean sea fish;
• low-fat cheese and sour cream (in small quantities);
• skim cheese;
• kefir, yogurt with a minimum percentage of fat content;
• butter – up to 30 g per day;
• egg white - boiled or in the form of an omelet (daily norm - 2 whites).

Drinks and sweet dishes are allowed:

• rosehip decoction;
• chamomile infusion;
• mashed compote;
• non-acidic fruit drinks and jelly;
• weak tea;
• honey (no more than 20 g per day);
• sugar (about 10 g per day);
• jelly;
• cookies, marshmallows and candies (without chocolate) - in small quantities;
• marmalade

The following foods should be removed from your diet:

• fresh bread, pastries;
• pancakes and fried pies;
• corn and barley porridge;
• sausages;
• offal;
• canned food (fish, vegetables, meat);
• fermented baked milk and other high-fat dairy products;
• salted cheese;
• seeds and nuts;
• garlic, onions and green onions, spices;
• radish;
• eggplant;
• corn;
• white cabbage;
• radish;
• sorrel;
• asparagus;
• sweet juices, carbonated drinks;
• coffee and its substitute – chicory;
• alcoholic drinks;
• cocoa;
• chocolate;
• condensed milk;
• confectionery with cream;
• sauces and food additives (mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, horseradish).

An approximate menu for 7 days is presented in the table:

In addition to proper nutrition, special attention is paid to the drinking regime - patients should drink at least 2 liters of water per day.

Prevention

To prevent the development of opisthorchiasis, you must adhere to simple rules:

1. do not eat raw or undercooked fish;
2. fry fish products well for at least 20 minutes;
3. when cooking fish, after the water boils, cook for another 20 minutes;
4. when making salted fish, observe the salt norm per 1 kg of raw product, salt for at least 3 weeks;
5. You can disinfect a raw product by deep freezing it;
6. Observe personal hygiene rules after cutting fish.

Prevention
Now it is clear how to eliminate opisthorchiasis in adults. The choice of treatment method remains with the patient, but consultation with a doctor should not be neglected. The risk of developing serious complications if the approach to treatment is incorrect or therapy is not started in a timely manner is too high.