Intestinal microflora is a collection of various microorganisms that interact with each other. Some of the bacteria are vital to the human body. Some negative factors can upset the balance and provoke dysbiosis. Existing drugs to normalize the intestinal microflora, are composed of bacteria, allowing to restore biological balance. Consider the most popular medicines from this group.
What function does microflora perform?
The intestines of an adult are inhabited by more than 500 species of a variety of bacteria, both beneficial and harmful. The former helps to digest food, helps maintain the body's defenses and inhibits the reproduction of pathogenic microflora. Conditionally pathogenic bacteria are contained in smaller quantities and are able to provoke the development of the disease under certain conditions. The correct balance of microflora is necessary for timely emptying of a decorated chair.
Pathogenic microflora should normally be present in the intestine. The colon contains mainly bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, enterococci, bacteriodes, E. coli. The conditionally pathogenic series is represented by clostridia, staphylococcus, protea, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
The intestinal microflora forms immunity at the local level, is able to withstand viruses and ensure the resistance of the epithelium to toxic effects. Beneficial bacteria take part in the synthesis of vitamins and minerals, activate drugs, and help maintain ionic balance.
What will the violation of microflora lead to?
An increase in the number of harmful microorganisms can cause the development of such a pathological phenomenon as dysbiosis. Usually, such a diagnosis is heard by the parents of the babies of the first year of life, but in fact, the disease also occurs in adult patients. To eliminate this condition, special preparations will help to normalize the intestinal microflora.
Intestinal dysbiosis contributes to the rapid growth of opportunistic microflora. Over time, this leads to contamination of the body with bacterial vital products and the development of pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary and immune systems. Pathology is also negatively reflected in metabolic processes.
Causes of Dysbiosis
The main factors that can cause an imbalance in the intestinal microflora include:
- long-term use of certain medications (antibiotics, sulfonamides);
- chemotherapy;
- psychological upheaval (stress);
- intestinal pathology of infectious etiology;
- malnutrition, abuse of harmful products;
- disturbances in the work of the endocrine, immune system;
- exhaustion of the body (prolonged fasting);
- digestive diseases (cholecystitis, cirrhosis, hepatitis, peptic ulcer).
It should be understood that dysbiosis never develops as an independent disease, but only indicates the presence of other problems in the body. Therefore, therapy usually begins with determining the root cause of the disease.
How to restore microflora?
The most pronounced therapeutic effect is exerted by medications designed to restore normal intestinal microflora. They can be divided into three groups: probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics. Such medicines may contain live cultures of bacteria, substances for the propagation of beneficial microorganisms.
One of the commonly prescribed probiotics is Linex. Many patients try to find cheaper analogues, because the medication is quite expensive. But it should be borne in mind that the original product has a unique composition and pronounced therapeutic effect.
Preparations from the prebiotic group contain the components necessary for self-propagation of beneficial microflora in the intestine. They are recommended to be taken usually in combination with probiotics. However, one should not forget that even such useful medicines have their contraindications and, if used improperly, can cause serious disturbances in the functioning of the digestive tract.
In addition to several types of beneficial bacteria, the composition of synbiotics necessarily contains the substances necessary for the reproduction of “good” microflora - poly- and oligosaccharides. Simply put, this is a combination of a prebiotic and a probiotic in one drug.
Linex: general description
The drug “Linex” refers to complex probiotics and contains simultaneously three types of beneficial microorganisms: bidobacteria, lactobacilli and enterococci. It is these bacteria that are necessary to create the “right” microflora in the intestines.
The drug is available in capsule form by the well-known pharmaceutical company Sandoz (Germany). Also, for infants, you can purchase a medicine in the form of a powder containing bifidobacteria.
Many experts recommend restoring the intestinal microflora with the help of Linex. The price depends on the number of capsules in the package and ranges from 270 to 520 rubles (16 and 32 capsules, respectively).
Indications for appointment
According to the instructions, the drug should be used for the treatment and prevention of intestinal dysbiosis. A probiotic source may be needed in the following cases:
- frequent constipation;
- pain in the abdomen;
- nausea, vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- symptoms of dyspepsia;
- belching;
- increased gas formation, flatulence.
Linex for children
Almost all babies of the first year of life face dysbiosis. To alleviate unpleasant, painful signs of pathology, experts recommend giving Linex to children. Cheaper analogues, such as Acipol, Normobact, Lactobaterin, contain mainly only one type of bacteria and do not have a comprehensive effect. Linex in powder form does not contain lactose.
Can I take antibiotic treatment?
Antibacterial therapy is a threat not only to pathogenic microflora, but also to beneficial microorganisms that inhabit the intestines. Quite often, dyspeptic disorder develops with antimicrobial medications. To avoid this phenomenon, timely normalization of intestinal microflora will be required.
Preparations (after antibiotics, the microflora is restored within 5-6 months) from the group of probiotics should be taken for a sufficiently long time. It is important to start therapy during the period of antibiotic treatment. Linex and other probiotics are recommended to be taken after antimicrobial drugs in at least 2 hours.
For the treatment and prevention of microflora imbalance in infants, drugs can be mixed with clean water and given to the baby throughout the day.
Probiotic Acipol
The presence of several components and high rates of therapeutic efficacy are the main advantages of the Linex probiotic. The price of this medicine is, unfortunately, not available to all patients, and therefore the choice often falls on the cheaper analogue, Acipol. The preparation contains components for the propagation of beneficial microflora and lactic acid bacteria.
The action of the medication is aimed at suppressing the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, colonizing the digestive tract with beneficial bacteria, strengthening immunity at the local level and eliminating signs of dysbiosis. "Acipol" can be used to treat babies from three months. The probiotic is available in the form of a powder and capsules for oral administration.
For the prevention of dysbiosis, you can also choose the drug "Acipol." Price, patient reviews play a significant role in choosing medications to normalize microflora. It should be noted that Acipol is considered one of the most affordable probiotics with a multicomponent composition. The cost of capsules (30 pieces) is 290-330 rubles. In many cases, the tool has been very effective.
What is Biovestin-Lacto?
The instruction positions the product as a unique probiotic, which contains lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, which are necessary for the normal functioning of the intestinal microflora, as well as substances that promote the reproduction of beneficial microorganisms. The manufacturer of the medicine is the Russian pharmaceutical company Bio-Vesta (Novosibirsk).
In the course of clinical trials, it was found that the drug is able to correct the condition of the intestinal microflora and successfully eliminate the signs of dysbiosis. Bifidobacteria in the probiotic inhibit the growth of pathogenic microflora, are highly resistant to antibacterial drugs.
The tool is released in liquid form. Bio-News-Lactone is taken half an hour before a meal or an hour after a meal. The solution can be diluted in a small amount of water or milk (for children). Liquid temperature should not exceed 38-40 ° C. Otherwise, the drug will lose its healing properties.
Preparations for the normalization of intestinal microflora with constipation
To restore stool in adults and children, modern pharmaceutical companies offer a huge number of drugs. But not every of these means is able to affect the true cause of the pathological phenomenon. Some bring only temporary relief - drugs with an irritating or osmotic effect. To eliminate not only symptoms, but also dysbiosis, it is necessary to pay attention to drugs to normalize the intestinal microflora, which also have soft, softening stools, action.
Long stagnation of feces negatively affects the state of microflora in the intestinal tract. Beneficial bacteria begin to die and decompose, which contributes to the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms. Prebiotics are necessary to prevent this situation and improve motor skills. The composition of such drugs includes indigestible carbohydrates, lactulose and inulin.
An ideal medium for the propagation of beneficial bacteria is lactulose - a synthetic disaccharide that passes through the entire gastrointestinal tract unchanged and reaches the large intestine, where microflora is restored and grown. At the same time, the substance is completely unsuitable for the propagation of opportunistic and pathogenic microflora.
On the basis of lactulose, drugs are released to normalize the intestinal microflora in children and adults. The most effective and safest are:
- Lactusan
- Dufalac
- Prelaxan
- "Lactuvit";
- Forlax
- "Normolact";
- Normase.
These medications can gently affect the problem and do not have a negative effect on the body as a whole.
Dufalac: instruction
Price This lactulose-based drug depends on the amount of packaging. Most often, patients purchase Dufalac in 200 and 500 ml bottles, the cost of which is 280 and 400 rubles, respectively. You can measure the required amount of medicinal fluid using a measuring cup, which is attached to the bottle. 100 ml of syrup contains 66.7 g of lactulose.
The drug refers to laxative drugs that have a hyperosmotic effect. The increase in the number of lactobacilli, a decrease in osmotic pressure and stimulation of peristalsis occurs due to lactulose, which is part of the drug "Dufalac". The instruction (the price of the drug is usually not indicated in it) contains the necessary information about the proper use of the medication.
What do patients say?
Preparations for the normalization of intestinal microflora based on lactulose should be prescribed by a specialist. The treatment regimen and dosage will depend on the age category of the patient. Do not forget about contraindications, which you must familiarize yourself with before starting treatment. Throughout the course of therapy, it is important to observe the drinking regimen and drink at least two liters of fluid per day.
Dufalac, like many other drugs to normalize intestinal microflora, received mostly positive reviews from patients. The therapeutic effect of the drug can be felt within 8-10 hours after administration. In the treatment of dysbiosis and constipation, the drug is often prescribed for children of the first year of life.