Currently, the diagnosis of giardiasis is not uncommon. This is an infectious disease, the causative agent of which parasitizes in the intestines and with the flow of blood can penetrate into the bile ducts and liver. Giardia is resistant to negative environmental conditions, and therefore pathology requires a special approach to treatment. Children are most susceptible to the disease, but often it occurs in adults who neglect the rules of personal hygiene.
Pathology Features
The causative agent is a parasite, which can only be examined with a microscope. The penetration of giardia into the liver often occurs, but most often they develop in the small intestine.
In the host organism, the pathogen is in a vegetative form. Once in the intestine, it attaches to the mucous membrane of the organ using the suction cup on its body. Giardia, which are in a vegetative form, cannot be detected in the feces and on the clothes of the patient. In the external environment, the parasite exists in the form of cysts, that is, enclosed in a kind of shell. With the help of such formations, the pathogen can exist for a long time without liquid and nutrients. This continues until the cysts enter the body of the new host. The process of their selection is regular.
Development mechanism
The disease occurs as follows:
- Penetrating into the human body, Giardia rush to the small intestine. Sucking to the mucous membrane, they get all the nutrients they need.
- Once in the colon, parasites turn into cysts. They are excreted into the environment with feces.
- In the form of cysts, lamblia exists for a long time until they penetrate the body of a new host. In it, they regain mobility.
With mass infection, pathogens with a blood stream enter the liver. The organ is a favorite habitat for many parasites, since it has all the favorable conditions for their life. Being in the intestines and in the liver of Giardia, toxic compounds are released that have a negative effect on the whole organism.
Infection pathways
The main cause of the disease is the failure to observe basic hygiene rules. Giardia enter the gastrointestinal tract and liver due to the use of unwashed vegetables, fruits and berries, as well as tap water (chlorine has no effect on parasites). In addition, the pathogen is transmitted through clothing and household items that the patient uses.
It is worth noting that giardiasis develops only if the body's defenses are weakened and the parasites survived in the aggressive environment of the stomach. In addition, the following conditions include provoking factors:
- Anomalies in the structure of the biliary tract (they can be either congenital or acquired).
- The pathology of the stomach, against the background of the development of which its acidity decreases.
- Surgical interventions on the digestive system.
- Long-term observance of a low-calorie diet.
- Inadequate intake of protein in the body.
Particularly high risk of the disease in children. This is due to the fact that the largest number of cysts is in the soil, with each child periodically in contact with contaminated objects. The most commonly found giardia in the liver in children attending kindergarten.
Symptoms in adults
The presence and severity of signs of invasion depend on the form of the disease. Giardia can be found not only in the intestine and liver, but also in other internal organs. Doctors often diagnose combined forms. The nature of the course of giardiasis can be both acute and chronic. It depends on the amount of parasites present in the body and on how the immune system reacts to their vital functions.
If giardia in the liver is present in adults, the symptoms are as follows:
- pain in the right hypochondrium;
- organ increases in size;
- the skin and mucous membranes turn pale;
- a light coating appears on the tongue;
- flatulence, bloating, stool disorders;
- jaundice develops (if helminths have penetrated the bile ducts).
According to these signs, it is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis. In addition, the following conditions may be additional symptoms of lamblia in the liver in adults: insomnia, decreased performance, and headache. Against the background of the release of toxic substances by helminths, an allergic reaction often appears. If the above symptoms occur, consult a physician. If necessary, he will draw up a referral to an infectious disease specialist to get rid of lamblia in the liver.
Symptoms in children
In a small child, the disease can be masked by many infections. In this regard, doctors are not always given the correct diagnosis. At the same time, time is lost - the pathology becomes chronic.
Parents need to show the child to a specialist when the first signs of the presence of lamblia in the liver appear. In children, the following conditions are symptoms:
- stool disorders (persistent episodes of diarrhea or constipation);
- an increase in body temperature to subfebrile values (up to 37.5 degrees, while this indicator can last up to 2 weeks);
- pain in the right hypochondrium or near the navel;
- fast fatiguability;
- decreased attention span;
- gritting his teeth at night;
- swollen lymph nodes (for no apparent reason);
- choking cough;
- sleep disturbance;
- allergic rashes.
In addition, with the disease, an increase in the size of the liver and spleen occurs. Often, against the background of the development of pathology in a child, body weight decreases.
Diagnostics
A doctor should be consulted when the first symptoms appear. Giardia in the liver and intestines, multiplying and feeding on vital substances for a person, have an extremely negative effect on the whole organism as a whole, and therefore treatment should be prescribed as soon as possible.
Diagnosis of the disease involves the following studies:
- Coprogram. Biological material is the feces of the patient. In it you can find cysts of giardia. To obtain an accurate result, the analysis must be taken several times, maintaining a weekly interval. This is due to the fact that the formation of cysts occurs regularly, but not daily.
- Clinical blood test. With giardiasis in a patient, the level of eosinophils, lymphocytes, leukocytes, ESR increases and the hemoglobin index decreases.
- IFA. Venous blood serves as biomaterial. In the course of the study, antibodies are detected that the immune system secrete during invasion. The disadvantage of this method is the low information content, since specific substances do not always indicate the presence of a disease at the moment, they also persist if the patient has already suffered a pathology in the past.
- Duodenal examination. The essence of the method is the analysis of human bile. The method is not applicable in children under the age of 10 years.
- Ultrasound It is prescribed if the patient has many pronounced symptoms of lamblia in the liver. During the study, it is impossible to see parasites, it is carried out to identify pathological processes in the organ.
- Hepatic tests. Assigned to assess the degree of negative effects of helminths on the body.
When confirming the diagnosis, a treatment regimen is drawn up taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's health.
Treatment
It is important to understand that the process of getting rid of parasites is long and requires patience. It is not recommended to prescribe medications on your own, since their uncontrolled intake leads to a sharp death of a large number of helminths, as a result of which severe intoxication occurs.
Regardless of the severity of symptoms, treatment of lamblia in the liver in both adults and children is carried out according to the following scheme:
- First stage. During this period, the patient is individually prescribed drugs, the task of which is to eliminate intoxication, improve the production of enzymes and strengthen the body's defenses. In addition, at the initial stage, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the diet, excluding from the diet products that promote the reproduction of parasites. The menu must contain: cereals, milk, kefir, cottage cheese, dried fruits and plant-based foods. The duration of this period is about 2 weeks.
- The destruction of Giardia. In addition to all measures of the initial stage, the administration of protozoal drugs, antihistamines and sorbents is added.
- Body recovery. The final period also implies a diet, as well as taking vitamin complexes. Preventive measures must be taken to prevent re-infection.
If a person has symptoms of lamblia in the liver, all family members should undergo treatment. Its duration is at least 1 month.
Alternative methods of treatment
To destroy parasites, you can additionally use non-traditional methods. It is important to understand that such treatment of lamblia in the liver in both adults and children does not exclude the need to seek qualified medical help. In addition, symptoms of the disease may be signs of other pathologies.
The most effective recipes for the treatment of giardia in the liver in adults and children:
- Grind the head of garlic as much as possible and pour it with 250 ml of milk. Let it brew for 10 minutes. Strain. Drink in one gulp for the night.
- Pour 300 g of pumpkin seeds with 50 ml of water, add honey to taste. The resulting product is used on an empty stomach during the day in small portions.
- Prepare 10 g of corn stigmas. Pour them with 200 ml of boiling water. Let it brew for about 2 hours. Take the resulting product for 2 tbsp. l thrice a day.
Regular use of folk remedies can reduce the duration of treatment for giardiasis.
Effects
Vital activity of parasites adversely affects the whole body as a whole. With timely diagnosis and proper treatment of complications, as a rule, does not occur. But with a long stay of parasites in the body, severe forms of giardiasis develop. The continuous process of poisoning it with toxic compounds significantly weakens the immune system, which also causes other diseases of the internal organs, which are much more difficult to cure.
Prevention
To prevent invasion, the following rules must be observed:
- wash hands before and after meals, as well as as they become dirty;
- pour boiling water over vegetables, fruits and berries before eating;
- Do not drink tap water;
- take a shower after swimming in the pool and open water;
- regularly sanitize plumbing at home.
Following these guidelines significantly reduces the risk of helminth infections.
Finally
Giardiasis is understood as an infectious disease characterized by the presence of helminths in the body. The causative agent of the disease can be localized in the liver, intestines and biliary tract. With the flow of blood, it can also penetrate into other organs. Giardia is resistant to aggressive environmental conditions, and therefore their treatment takes a long time.