If the patient shows yeast-like fungi in the feces, then this indicates intestinal candidiasis. This disease refers to mycoses of internal organs. Its causative agent is Candida, which causes thrush of the urogenital organs and oral cavity. Candidiasis is most often the result of severe dysbiosis. Uncontrolled growth of the pathogen is possible only if the balance of microflora in the organs of the gastrointestinal tract is disturbed. How to get rid of a fungal infection in the intestines? We will consider this issue in the article.
Pathogen
Candida yeast lives in the intestines of most people. It is part of the normal microflora of the digestive tract and under normal conditions does not exhibit pathogenic properties. This microorganism is necessary for the digestion process.
However, under adverse conditions, excessive fungal reproduction occurs and Candida acquires pathogenic properties. As a result, an inflammatory process occurs - intestinal candidiasis.
Under normal conditions, this microorganism is not secreted from the intestine. If yeast-like Candida fungi are found in feces, then this is most often a sign of pathology.
Causes
Under what conditions does a yeast become pathogenic? The following factors can provoke intestinal candidiasis:
- emotional and physical overload;
- chronic diseases accompanied by a drop in immunity;
- avitaminosis;
- pregnancy;
- diabetes;
- hormonal disruptions;
- frequent food poisoning;
- immunodeficiency states;
- long-term use of antibacterial drugs;
- pathology of the digestive tract;
- sexually transmitted diseases;
- alcohol and coffee abuse.
An activation of the fungus is caused by a drop in immunity and an imbalance of beneficial and harmful bacteria. In this case, excessive reproduction of the microorganism occurs, accompanied by inflammation of the intestine.
Symptoms in adults
What if the analysis showed the presence of yeast-like fungi in the feces in an adult? Symptoms and treatment of candidiasis of the digestive tract will depend on the form of pathology. In medicine, it is customary to distinguish a non-invasive and invasive variety of the disease. Let's consider them in more detail.
Most often, patients have non-invasive intestinal candidiasis. In this case, the fungus does not penetrate into the tissues, but lives in the organ cavity. It secretes toxins that irritate the mucous membranes. This is accompanied by the following pathological manifestations:
- recurring constipation and diarrhea;
- discomfort in the abdominal cavity;
- flatulence;
- itching in the anal area;
- cheesy discharge from the intestines;
- exacerbation of allergic diseases.
The patient's condition remains satisfactory. Often, even doctors take such symptoms as signs of irritable bowel syndrome. And only the detection of yeast-like fungi in the feces in an adult patient allows a correct diagnosis to be made.
With invasive candidiasis, the fungus penetrates the thickness of the intestinal walls. This form of the disease is noted in people with sharply reduced immunity. Pathology is difficult and is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- a sharp deterioration in overall health;
- high fever;
- bloody and curd-like diarrhea;
- intolerable itching in the anus;
- severe pain in the abdominal cavity.
With invasive candidiasis, yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida are found in the feces, as well as mucus and red blood cells. The disease resembles in its manifestations a severe gastrointestinal infection. A correct diagnosis is made by carrying out a coprogram and analysis for back sowing.
Manifestations of candidiasis in children
In infancy, the digestive system is still being formed. Therefore, yeast-like fungi in feces in infants are found quite often. The digestive tract is very sensitive to the effects of microorganisms. The baby has the following manifestations of pathology:
- refusal of milk;
- anxiety, frequent crying due to abdominal pain;
- compaction in the anus;
- frequent spitting up;
- fungal skin lesions (especially on the abdomen, back and limbs).
Breasts with candidiasis and dysbiosis grow poorly and gain little weight. In the future, the disease can affect the psychomotor development of the baby.
In older children, intestinal candidiasis is accompanied by the following manifestations:
- decreased appetite;
- frequent diarrhea;
- itching in the anus after visiting the toilet;
- increased gas formation;
- abdominal pain not related to eating.
There are cases when the baby's health remains normal, but during the coprogram, yeast-like mushrooms are found in the feces of the child. Most often this is noted with non-invasive candidiasis. However, even if the disease proceeds without pronounced symptoms, urgent treatment is necessary. Even mild forms of pathology can lead to serious consequences. Chronic irritation of the intestinal mucosa with toxins of the fungus does not pass without a trace to the body.
Complications
How dangerous is the appearance of yeast-like fungi in the feces? Without treatment, candidiasis of the digestive tract can lead to the following complications.
- Atopic dermatitis. Such a complication of candidiasis is often observed in children.
- Vaginal candidiasis. In women, an infection from the intestines can enter the genital tract.
- Perforation of the intestinal wall. An invasive form of candidiasis is often accompanied by ulcerative colitis. This can lead to perforation of the organ wall and severe bleeding.
- Generalized candidiasis. Fungal infection can go to healthy sections of the digestive tract and other organs. Such an extensive lesion often causes sepsis.
Additional research
If yeast-like mushrooms are found in feces in an adult or child, doctors prescribe additional examinations:
- Analysis of feces for dysbiosis. In this study, not only yeast-like fungi are found in the patient, but also bacteria - Klebsiella, Staphylococcus, E. coli. This indicates the development of candidiasis against a background of microflora disturbance.
- Colonoscopy This study allows us to determine the degree of intestinal damage and to differentiate the non-invasive form of the pathology from the invasive one.
Adult treatment
What if the coprogram showed the presence of yeast-like fungi in the feces? Candidiasis treatment should be comprehensive. The basis of therapy is the appointment of antimycotic drugs:
- Amphotericin B;
- "Itraconazole";
- "Fluconazole";
- "Ketoconazole";
- "Pimafucin."
These drugs have a detrimental effect on fungi and prevent their reproduction.
The following groups of drugs are prescribed as symptomatic therapy:
- Prebiotics and probiotics: “Hilak forte”, “Linex”, “Bifiform”, “Bifidumbacterin”. These drugs help to normalize the ratio of beneficial and harmful bacteria in the intestines.
- Antispasmodics: Nosh-pu, Papaverin, Spazmalgon. These medications relieve cramping and relieve abdominal pain.
- Enzymatic preparations: Mezim, Creon, Wobenzym, Festal. These drugs improve digestion and at the same time strengthen immunity.
- Sorbents: Enterosgel, Polysorb, Polyphepan, Filtrum. These drugs contribute to the rapid removal of fungal toxins from the body.
A prerequisite for successful treatment is to follow a diet. Sweets, flour, yeast, spicy and fatty foods should be completely excluded from the diet. Such food promotes the reproduction of the fungus. It is useful to consume garlic and various types of onions (leek, onion). These products have antimycotic properties.
Treating children
Antimycotic drugs are also used to treat fungal infections in the intestines in children. At the same time, doctors are trying to prescribe more gentle medications to small patients with a minimum of side effects:
- Pimafucin;
- "Nystatin";
- Diflucan
- "Fluconazole."
In children, the disease always develops against the background of intestinal dysbiosis. During the analysis, not only yeast-like fungi are found in the feces, but also bacteria. Therefore, small doses of antibiotics are additionally prescribed: Vancomycin and Neomycin.
Enterosgel is used to remove toxins from the body, and for the normalization of microflora, the use of the infant form of the Hilak-forte prebiotic is indicated.
Limit the number of sweet and flour dishes. The diet of the baby includes a large number of vegetables and fruits, as well as dairy products. Such a diet helps to normalize intestinal motility and saturate the body with beneficial lactobacilli.
Prevention
How to prevent the appearance of yeast-like fungi in the feces? The following measures will help to avoid the activation of opportunistic microflora.
- It is necessary to timely cure fungal diseases of the genitourinary organs. This will prevent infection from entering the digestive tract.
- After treatment with antibiotics, it is necessary to take drugs with lactobacilli. This will help to avoid disturbance of the intestinal microflora.
- Sweet, spicy and fatty foods should be consumed in moderation.
- Food should be varied and contain a sufficient amount of vitamins. This will help strengthen immunity.
- With a tendency to candidiasis, it is useful to use onions, garlic, bananas and squash. These products are natural prebiotics.
It is important to remember that the risk group for candidiasis includes patients with immunodeficiency and diabetes mellitus, as well as people taking cytostatics and corticosteroids. These categories of patients need regular regular check-ups and an analysis of yeast-like fungi.