👈🏼 📸 🎉 What is dysbiosis and how to treat it? 🤦🏾 🤟 🕯️

Many patients are interested in information about what dysbiosis is. The fact is that patients face a similar problem, regardless of gender and age. Unfortunately, many people associate the first symptoms of an ailment with general fatigue and nutritional errors, therefore they turn to a doctor in the late stages.

That is why it is worth learning more about such a disease. Can pathology be considered dangerous? Why does dysbacteriosis develop in infants? Symptoms and treatment, diagnosis and possible complications are important data that are definitely worth exploring. Let's consider them further.

The main functions of the intestinal microflora

What is dysbiosis? To answer this question, it is worth understanding the features of the functioning of the digestive system. As you know, the human intestines are inhabited by microorganisms. The bulk of microflora is beneficial bifidobacteria (up to 95%) and lactobacilli.

In addition, opportunistic microorganisms are present here, in particular staphylococci, streptococci, yeast-like fungi, Escherichia coli and some others. Normally, the number of potentially dangerous microbes is controlled by the immune system. But against the background of various violations, the composition of the microflora changes - the number of beneficial bacteria decreases, but pathogenic bacteria begin to multiply actively. It is such changes that lead to the development of dysbiosis.

It is worth noting that the intestinal microflora performs a number of important functions:

protection against the activity of pathogenic microorganisms (beneficial bacteria secrete acetic and lactic acid, as well as some other substances that inhibit the reproduction of dangerous microbes);
beneficial bacteria take part in the synthesis of antibodies, interferons and cytokines, which are of great importance for the functioning of the immune system;
remove toxic substances from the body, in particular compounds of heavy metals, phenols;
take part in digestion processes;
provide the synthesis of certain acids and enzymes, as well as vitamin K and some other substances;
regulate the processes of gas formation, the exchange of cholesterol and some salts;
absorb cancer cell precursors;
have an anti-allergic effect.

Causes of the development of the disease

In fact, the causes of dysbiosis can be different. You should definitely familiarize yourself with their list - this is important for both treatment and prevention:

Immediately it is worth noting that most often there is dysbiosis after antibiotics, especially when it comes to their incorrect (uncontrolled) intake, the use of low-quality drugs. The fact is that antibacterial agents are effective not only against pathogenic microorganisms - beneficial bacteria also die from them. Against the background of changes in the composition of microflora, active reproduction of staphylococci, streptococci, candida fungi begins.
Symptoms of intestinal dysbiosis in adults (as in children) often appear against the background of aggressive treatment, for example, radiation or chemotherapy. Hormone drugs are also considered risk factors, since they directly affect the state of the immune system.
Violation of the quantitative and qualitative composition of microflora is often associated with various chronic and acute intestinal infections.
Often dysbiosis is the result of malnutrition. The lack of fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet, the abuse of carbohydrates and fats leads to increased fermentation processes in the intestines. But eating fruits and vegetables that have been processed with too many pesticides and other things causes the death of beneficial microorganisms. Potentially dangerous is the lack of dairy products in the diet.
Parasitic diseases (helminthiases) also lead to disruption of the natural microflora.
Risk factors include a decrease in the activity of the immune system (this is observed against the background of diseases such as AIDS, diabetes, cancer pathologies, cirrhosis).
Of certain importance is age. For example, there is a high risk of developing dysbiosis in the baby (symptoms and treatment will be described below), especially when it comes to a premature baby. High probability of manifestation of the disease in elderly patients, which is associated with the aging process.

The causes of dysbiosis can be different. And in the process of diagnosis it is extremely important to determine what exactly caused the appearance of the ailment - first, it is worth eliminating the influence of risk factors and only then start therapy.

Why does dysbiosis develop in a child?

Statistics say that quite often children suffer from a similar disease, especially small patients in the first year of life. This is primarily due to age-related features - intestinal motility has not yet been established, and microflora is at the formation stage.

Dysbacteriosis in infants can be associated with intestinal infections, improper nutrition of the mother (if the baby is on artificial feeding), the introduction of complementary foods, the frequent change of artificial milk mixtures, etc.

The child suffers from stool disorders, bloating and abdominal pain, resulting in poor sleep, often crying (especially after eating).

The main symptoms of the development of the disease

Before considering the question of how to treat dysbiosis, it is worth considering its main symptoms. The sooner you notice signs of impairment and consult a doctor, the easier the therapy will be. Key features:

In most cases, at the initial stages of the development of the disease, problems with stool appear. Patients suffer from diarrhea, which is associated with a violation of the processes of absorption of water, the formation of too much bile acid and increased peristalsis of the digestive tube. In the feces there are mucous lumps, impurities of the blood. Perhaps the appearance of an unpleasant, sometimes even putrid odor.
In elderly patients, against the background of dysbiosis, chronic constipation may appear, which is associated with an age-related decrease in peristalsis.
The disease is accompanied by increased gas formation, which leads to bloating. Often this is accompanied by pain, which is aggravated by palpation of the abdominal wall, as well as rumbling. The pain can be cramping in nature, and sometimes it intensifies during bowel movements.
As the disease progresses, dyspeptic disorders appear. Patients complain of frequent belching, nausea (its attack may result in vomiting), loss of appetite and weight loss.
Violation of the microflora may be accompanied by the appearance of an allergic rash and redness on the skin. In this case, an allergic reaction can develop even with the use of foods to which the body was not previously sensitive.
If there is too active reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms, then the appearance of symptoms of intoxication is possible. Patients report headaches, fever, sleep problems, general weakness.
If we are talking about more severe forms of dysbiosis, then signs of vitamin deficiency may occur. The skin becomes dry and pale, the structure of nails and hair changes, jams appear around the mouth, patients often suffer from stomatitis.

The degree of development of the disease

You already know what dysbiosis is and why it develops. Symptoms, or rather the intensity of their manifestation, directly depend on the degree of spread of the disease. In modern medical practice, four stages are distinguished:

The disease of the first degree is almost asymptomatic. Only occasionally in patients appears rumbling in the abdomen and some other disorders, which in most cases go unnoticed.
Against the background of the second degree, the symptoms become more pronounced. Diarrhea and constipation appear periodically. Some people complain of an unpleasant taste in the mouth, nausea, loss of appetite. In most cases, this degree of dysbiosis develops after antibiotics or mild food poisoning.
The third degree is accompanied by a worsening of the patient's condition. Abdominal pain, nausea, and stool problems are aggravated. In stool, undigested food particles can be noticed. The patient needs treatment.
The fourth degree is considered the most severe, as it is associated with serious digestive disorders. The body ceases to absorb nutrients, which affects the functioning of the immune system and emotional state (often people suffer from apathy, insomnia, weakness and even depression).

What are the complications of dysbiosis?

We have already considered the question of what is dysbiosis. Such a disease should not be ignored, despite the fact that in most cases the disease responds well to therapy. But the likelihood of developing complications should not be ruled out. The consequences of dysbiosis can be really dangerous:

As a result of prolonged exposure to pathogenic bacteria, the development of chronic forms of enterocolitis is possible (the ailment is accompanied by inflammation of the intestinal mucous membranes, severe digestive disorders).
Violation of the qualitative and quantitative composition of microflora affects the processes of assimilation of vitamins and minerals. Against the background of prolonged dysbiosis, the development of vitamin deficiencies, iron deficiency anemia and some other diseases is possible.
If an infection from the intestine enters the bloodstream, it spreads throughout the body. In rare cases, dysbiosis leads to sepsis.
Violations of the composition of microflora affect the work of the whole organism. An intestinal lesion is often supplemented by vaginal dysbiosis in women.
The inflammatory process sometimes affects the deep layers of the intestine, which can lead to perforation of the wall of the digestive tract. The contents of the intestine enter the abdominal cavity, the result of this is peritonitis.
Pathogenic microorganisms that multiply in the intestine can spread to other parts of the digestive tract. Possible complications include pancreatitis and gastroduodenitis.
Digestive and metabolic disorders gradually lead to weight loss and exhaustion. Patients suffer from weakness, chronic fatigue, apathy, depression, personality changes.

Diagnostic measures. Analysis for intestinal dysbiosis

Having noticed the symptoms described above, you need to see a doctor. After making an anamnesis, the doctor will prescribe tests for intestinal dysbiosis. In this case, it is extremely important to determine the cause of the change in microflora - the choice of therapy directly depends on this.

The study of fecal masses is the first thing that is prescribed for dysbiosis. Both beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms must be present in the feces - a change in their ratio indicates the presence of problems. It is worth preparing to hand over samples. Three days before the procedure, it is recommended to abandon products that enhance the fermentation processes in the intestine. The results of a microbiological examination of feces are sent to the doctor for decryption. Dysbacteriosis proceeds in several stages:

1st stage - the number of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria is still within normal limits;
2nd stage - there is a decrease in the number of bifidoflora and a simultaneous increase in the level of opportunistic bacteria and fungi;
3rd stage - a significant decrease in the number of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria;
4th stage - lacto- and bifidoflora are completely absent, only pathogenic microorganisms are present in the stool samples.

Sometimes other studies are additionally carried out, for example, tests for various intestinal infections, endoscopic examination of the intestinal walls.

How to treat dysbiosis?

Treatment in this case must be comprehensive. It is important, firstly, to eliminate the cause of the development of the disease, and secondly, to populate the intestines with a sufficient number of beneficial bacteria:

Probiotics are products containing live cultures of beneficial lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. In modern medical practice, such drugs for dysbiosis are widely used. Such drugs as Bifidumbacterin, Bifikol, Lineks are considered effective.
Prebiotics are another group of drugs that are used for dysbiosis. Medicines stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria, create suitable conditions for their reproduction. Effective are such funds as Dufalac and Hilak-forte.
Symbiotics are combined drugs that contain both live strains of bacteria and substances that create suitable conditions in the intestine (this is a complex of pre- and probiotics). Often used drugs such as Maltodofilus, Bifidobak.
Antibiotics are used in the fourth stage of the development of dysbiosis - first you need to kill the pathogenic microflora. As a rule, funds from the group of penicillins, cephalosporins, tetracyclines are used.
Antifungal agents (for example, “Levorin”) are used if fungal lesions of the intestine occur.
Enzymes help restore normal digestion (Festal, Mezim).
Sorbents are used in cases where severe intoxication of the body occurs.
Vitamins help restore normal functioning of the body, prevent the development of vitamin deficiencies.

The correct diet for violation of the microflora

After a thorough diagnosis, the doctor will pick up effective drugs for dysbiosis. But it is worthwhile to understand that drug treatment must be supplemented with proper nutrition. Diet with such a disease is extremely important. Doctors recommend following some simple rules:

First you need to exclude fatty foods, spices, smoked meats, spicy foods and alcohol from the diet.
It is worth abandoning products that enhance the fermentation processes in the intestine. The list of potentially dangerous foods includes sweets (including sweets and pastries), cabbage (pickled), homemade pickles.
It is necessary to exclude food from the diet, which enhances the processes of gas formation in the intestines and the peristalsis of the walls of the digestive tract (carbonated drinks, beans, soy, peas and other legumes, bread with bran).
It is extremely important to eat often, but in small portions.
During meals and immediately after, it is not recommended to drink water or other drinks. The fact is that the liquid dilutes the gastric juice, as a result of which the food is digested much longer.
It is important to provide the body with enough protein. In the daily diet you need to include lean meats (it is advisable to stew or cook).
Porridge, fresh vegetables and fruits saturate the body with cellulose, which is an energy substrate for beneficial bacteria. In addition, along with these products, the body receives vitamins, minerals and other useful substances.
It is necessary to introduce fermented milk products enriched with biocultures into the diet. Useful will be bio-ethers, bio-yogurts. Such food helps to colonize the intestines with the right bacteria.

Proper nutrition is the best cure for dysbiosis. By the way, such a diet is also an excellent prevention.

Preventive actions

Dysbacteriosis is considered to be not a very serious disease, so its symptoms are often ignored. But the intestinal microflora needs to be protected - it is much easier to prevent the development of diseases than then to worry about therapy.

According to statistics, in most cases it is the incorrect use of antibacterial drugs that leads to the development of dysbiosis - useful microorganisms that inhabit the intestines die from antibiotics. Remember that such drugs can only be prescribed by your doctor. Do not use them yourself in any case. If we are talking about long-term antibiotic therapy, then patients are simultaneously prescribed probiotics and other drugs to protect organs.

Proper nutrition is also important - the basic principles of the diet have been described above. All diseases of the digestive tract must be timely treated. If chronic diseases occur, then patients are recommended to periodically take complexes of vitamins and minerals, as well as probiotics. Of course, you should not miss the annual preventive medical examinations, even if there are no signs of any violations.

The appearance of the first symptoms of intestinal dysbiosis in adults and children is a good reason to consult a specialist and take tests.

What is dysbiosis and how to treat it?