A change in the composition of the intestinal microflora affects the work of the whole organism. Signs of dysbiosis may be different. For example, some patients have pronounced digestive upsets, while others suffer from impaired activity of the immune system.
Do not ignore this disease, since in the absence of treatment, patients develop very dangerous complications. This problem is faced by both adults and children, so itโs quite natural that people are looking for any available information. Why does the composition of microflora change and how is this fraught? What signs of dysbiosis in a child at 2 years of age can be considered dangerous? How does the disease progress in adults? Are there effective treatments? The answers to these questions are interesting to many readers.
What is a disease?
As you know, the intestinal mucous tissues are populated with beneficial bacteria, which are simply necessary for the normal functioning of the body. Normally working microflora is extremely important, as it performs a number of functions:
- provides the body with nutrients;
- supplies the intestinal epithelium with energy (ATP);
- stimulates intestinal motility;
- takes part in the regeneration of epithelial tissues of the digestive tract;
- maintains water-salt balance;
- participates in biochemical processes, for example, activates the components of certain drugs, provides the synthesis of biologically active substances, deactivates poisons and toxins;
- provides local immunity;
- takes part in the synthesis of B vitamins;
- supports the natural indicators of the physico-chemical environment of the intestine.
Sometimes, for one reason or another, the number of beneficial bifidobacteria and lactobacilli decreases, which leads to a violation of the microflora - this is precisely the condition called dysbiosis. Moreover, against the background of the disease, activation of opportunistic bacteria is observed - their intensive reproduction can lead to inflammation and other disorders.
Manifestations of dysbiosis in an adult
In the initial stages, the disease, as a rule, is asymptomatic. Patients attribute the slight deterioration in well-being to errors in nutrition. Signs of intestinal dysbiosis in women, men and children are approximately the same, and the list of possible disorders is quite impressive.
- Due to changes in the microflora composition, bile acids begin to accumulate in the human intestines. In this regard, water is adsorbed worse by the walls of the digestive tract, which leads to the appearance of diarrhea.
- Sometimes the clinical picture looks different - patients suffer from constant constipation. According to statistics, such stool disorders are usually found in patients older than 50 years. Violation of microflora leads to impaired stimulation of peristalsis, which leads to the accumulation of feces.
- The disease is often accompanied by abdominal pain and flatulence. These signs of dysbiosis can occur in children 2 years of age and in adult patients. A change in microflora leads to increased formation of gases in the intestine and a violation of their evacuation. Bloating is accompanied by bursting, pulling pains.
- A characteristic symptom is rumbling in the abdomen, which intensifies after eating. By the way, such a violation is often accompanied by too fast movement of the food lump and its evacuation from the intestine.
- Sometimes, against the background of dysbiosis, gastrointestinal dyspepsia syndrome develops. Patients complain of a feeling of fullness of the abdomen after each meal. Nausea appears, although a person has a completely healthy appetite. Intestinal motility is impaired, as a result of which intestinal colic may appear (by the way, the pain from a spasm passes after defecation).
- In about 25% of patients with dysbiosis, pronounced processes of fermentation and decay in the intestine are observed. In such cases, the composition, color and consistency of the feces of a sick person changes - it often becomes liquid, light, foamy, sometimes acquires a sour smell. If in the intestine the processes of decay predominate, then the feces become fetid. Many people also complain of itching and burning in the anus.
- A change in the composition of microflora is fraught with food allergies. The reaction from the immune system may be accompanied by the appearance of skin urticaria, stomatitis, esophagitis, gingivitis. By the way, identifying potentially dangerous products is sometimes very difficult.
- Dysbacteriosis is often accompanied by maldigestia. Against the background of the disease, the number of produced enzymes decreases, so the food is not completely digested. In especially severe cases, whole pieces of unsplit food can be seen in the feces. Patients suffer from diarrhea, abdominal cramps, acute pain in the navel.
- The signs of intestinal dysbiosis in an adult include the often developing intolerance to food products, in particular, whole milk.
- Dysbacteriosis often affects the condition of the integument. The skin and mucous membranes become thinner and dry. Patients suffer from constant itching and periodically appearing rashes.
- Against the background of microflora disturbance, a person loses weight, becomes weak, suffers from rapid fatigue and decreased performance.
- The disease is accompanied by a decrease in the activity of the immune system. Patients become more sensitive to various kinds of infections.
- If we are talking about severe forms of dysbiosis (pathogenic bacteria and fungi are activated in the intestinal tissues), then symptoms of intoxication may appear - body temperature rises to 38 degrees, weakness, body aches, muscle pain, migraines, dizziness appear.
It is worth noting that a decrease in the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestine affects the activity of the microflora of the whole organism. For example, women may have problems in the reproductive system, inflammatory processes in the vagina and other organs.
Dysbacteriosis in men is also dangerous. Signs of the disease may not be so obvious, but a violation of the microflora affects the functioning of the immune system. Representatives of the stronger sex become more susceptible to various inflammatory and infectious diseases, often suffer from balanoposthitis, thrush and other pathologies of the reproductive organs.
Signs of dysbacteriosis in infants with artificial / breastfeeding
According to statistics, most often such a disease is diagnosed in children, because their microflora is still being formed.
Such disorders of the digestive system in most cases appear after switching to artificial feeding. The signs of dysbiosis in the baby are as follows:
- after each feeding, the baby appears colic;
- the babyโs appetite worsens - after the first few sips, the baby begins to cry and refuses to eat, as a result of which the weight gains slowly;
- the baby's skin acquires a pale shade, often becomes dry;
- the baby suffers from constant nausea, frequent and profuse regurgitation;
- diarrhea appears, and feces become more fluid, acquire an uncharacteristic color and an unpleasant odor;
- sometimes lumps of mucus appear in the fecal masses;
- there is bad breath, which only confirms the presence of eating disorders;
- the child becomes lethargic, inhibited.
The baby does not sleep well, constantly cries, becomes irritable, cannot eat normally, which, of course, affects the development of his body.
The appearance of signs of dysbiosis in infants breast-feeding is also possible, but in such cases, the development of the disease, as a rule, is associated with some other pathologies, decreased immunity, or the use of certain drugs.
The clinical picture of polyhypovitaminosis on the background of dysbiosis
Violation of the qualitative and quantitative composition of microflora leads to a violation of the synthesis and assimilation of vitamins, minerals and other useful substances. If there is hypovitaminosis (a deficiency in the body of one or another vitamin), then the signs of dysbiosis may be different.
- Deficiency of vitamin B6 and thiamine leads to various disorders of the peripheral nervous system. Patients complain of frequent and severe headaches.
- But the lack of nicotinic acid, which also develops against the background of dysbiosis, is accompanied by increased irritability, frequent mood changes, depression. Also, the patient can observe an increase in the amount of saliva secreted, redness of the tissues on the tongue, their inflammation.
- Riboflavin deficiency is characterized by symptoms such as hair loss, dryness, and redness of the skin in the nasolabial folds. The patient's tongue is often covered with small, painful cracks. Perhaps the development of stomatitis.
- A decrease in the amount of folic acid affects the processes of formation of blood cells and sometimes leads to the development of hyperchromic anemia.
- Vitamin P deficiency may be accompanied by frequent bleeding of the gums.
It is extremely important to inform the doctor about all the available symptoms - this will help the specialist make the most accurate diagnosis and draw up an appropriate treatment regimen.
Stages of development of dysbiosis and especially their symptoms
Signs of dysbiosis in adults, as well as in children, directly depend on the stage of development of the disease and the degree of spread of the pathological process. To date, several forms of the disease are distinguished.
- The first stage of the development of the disease is considered latent. At this stage, the composition of the lacto and bifidoflora is not disturbed, but you can already notice an increase in the number of E. coli. Clinical signs of intestinal dysbiosis at this stage are absent.
- At the second stage, a decrease in the number of bifidobacteria is observed. At the same time, representatives of opportunistic microflora begin to multiply actively. In some parts of the intestinal mucosa small foci of inflammation are formed, but the patient's well-being does not deteriorate from this.
- The third stage is characterized by very pronounced disturbances in the composition of microflora. On the mucous membranes of the intestine, staphylococci, protea, streptococci begin to multiply actively. At this stage, various disorders of the digestive system already appear. Patients suffer from abdominal pain, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea, and other symptoms.
- In the fourth stage, the number of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli sharply decreases. Symptoms of intoxication become more pronounced. In the intestinal tissues, destructive changes begin. The risk of developing sepsis is increased. Patients suffer from serious digestive tract disorders. Loss of appetite, persistent nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea lead to weight loss.
The disease is constantly progressing, and the patient's condition worsens. You can not ignore the signs of dysbiosis - you need to urgently consult a doctor.
Complications of dysbiosis and their signs
You already know what signs of dysbiosis indicate the presence of serious violations. But it is worthwhile to understand that in the absence of timely treatment, the ailment leads to complications, and very dangerous ones.
- Long-term exposure to pathogenic microflora sometimes leads to the development of chronic enterocolitis. This disease is accompanied by a sluggish, but constant inflammation of the intestinal membranes. Such a pathology entails serious metabolic disorders, as well as persistent digestive problems.
- A dangerous complication of dysbiosis is peritonitis - inflammation of the abdominal wall, which is associated with a partial release of intestinal contents into the abdominal cavity. This is an acute condition requiring immediate treatment. The disease is accompanied by severe pain in the abdomen and an increase in body temperature.
- A decrease in immune defense increases the susceptibility of the body to a different kind of infection.
- If pathogenic microflora extends to the upper digestive tract, then the development of pancreatitis, gastroduodenitis is possible. Such diseases are accompanied by severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever.
- One of the most dangerous complications is sepsis. Pathogenic microorganisms from the intestine enter the bloodstream of the patient and are carried throughout the body.
Of course, each of the above diseases requires medical attention. Lack of treatment in this case can lead to the death of the patient.
Violation of the vaginal microflora
You have already considered the main signs of intestinal dysbiosis. In women, however, microflora disturbance is possible not only in the digestive system. The fact is that the patientโs vagina is also inhabited by bacteria - both beneficial strains and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms are present.
Signs of dysbiosis in women can be different. In most cases, the disturbance of microflora is indicated by the appearance of uncharacteristic whitish discharge, sometimes with a yellowish tinge. The volume of discharge is quite large and, as a rule, increases after sexual intercourse or during arousal.
As the disease develops, other signs of dysbiosis appear. In women, itching and burning in the perineum are observed. Unpleasant sensations intensify during urination, intercourse.
Vaginal dysbiosis is dangerous. A decrease in the number of beneficial microorganisms leads to the development of vaginosis. The disease can be complicated by cystitis, damage to the kidneys and other organs of the urinary system. For treatment, the same pre- and probiotics are used, however, in the form of vaginal suppositories.
Diagnostic measures
The appearance of any signs of dysbiosis is a good reason to consult a doctor. Of course, the presence of certain intestinal disorders, a specialist may suspect even during the collection of anamnesis. Primary diagnosis includes examination of the skin and mucous membranes, abdominal palpation, collection of information about the symptoms that appear, etc.
A blood test is mandatory, which helps diagnose anemia, inflammation and other pathological conditions. One of the most informative is the microbiological analysis of feces. Such a study helps to accurately determine the composition of the intestinal microflora. Bakseeding allows you to grow a culture of pathogenic bacteria, to determine the presence of certain pathogens, to check their sensitivity to drugs.
How to treat the disease? List of drugs
Be sure to inform your doctor about all the signs of dysbiosis that have appeared in you. Treatment directly depends on both the causes of the pathology and the stage of development of the disease. The treatment regimen is compiled individually and may include different drugs.
- Eubiotics are drugs containing live bacteria of beneficial strains. Microorganisms colonize the intestine, normalizing the composition of microflora. Such drugs as Linex, Bifidumbacterin, Bifiform, Enterolo, Bikofol are considered effective.
- Mandatory is the use of prebiotics. These drugs provide the body with useful substances that are necessary for the normal functioning of the microflora bacteria. In modern medical practice, "Dufalac" and "Hilak" are most often used.
- An alternative is symbiotics, which provide the simultaneous colonization of the intestines with beneficial bacteria and the creation of conditions in this organ for their further vital activity and reproduction. Patients may be prescribed drugs such as Bifidobak, Maltodofilius.
- If serious digestive disorders occur, then drugs containing enzymes (Pancreatin, Mezim) may be included in the treatment regimen.
- Vitamin complexes are also often introduced into the treatment regimen, especially if the patient has hypovitaminosis.
- When severe intoxication symptoms appear, patients are advised to take sorbents, for example, activated or white coal, Enterosgel.
- As already mentioned, in severe cases, dysbiosis is accompanied by a sharp decrease in the number of beneficial bacteria, but the activation of pathogenic microorganisms. If bacterial inflammation occurs, then patients are prescribed antibiotics. With fungal infections, antimycotic drugs are used.
Therapy lasts several weeks - during this time, as a rule, it is possible to restore the natural composition of microflora. Signs of dysbiosis gradually disappear, digestion processes normalize. After completion of treatment, laboratory tests of feces and bacteriological culture are repeated.
Preventive actions
Signs of intestinal dysbiosis can hardly be considered pleasant.Disturbances in the digestive system, weakened immunity - all this is extremely dangerous. Unfortunately, many people go to the doctor even if they have severe symptoms.
It is much easier to maintain normal bowel function - you just need to follow simple rules.
, . , . , . , , .
, () , . - , .
If we are talking about dysbiosis in adults, then proper nutrition will be an excellent prevention. The human diet should be diverse, include fermented milk products and fiber, saturate the body with minerals, vitamins and amino acids. Do not forget about the support of the immune system.