Today there is an increase in opportunistic diseases of an infectious nature, which is caused by an increase in the degree of influence of negative environmental factors on the human body. The first place in the number of fungal infections of the gastrointestinal tract is thrush, while in 80% of cases people develop intestinal candidiasis. This disease is provoked by Candida albicans fungi .
In general, about half of the inhabitants of the planet today are carriers of mushrooms, they are in a passive state in the body, but when the immune system is disturbed, they become more active and begin to multiply rapidly in large quantities. Infection causes the development of pathological processes in the intestine, affecting its mucous membrane.
Description of the problem
Bowel candidiasis is an infectious disease that affects the mucous membrane of this organ. Pathogens, as already mentioned, are Candida albicans fungi that enter the body and actively multiply as a result of human immune deficiency. Normally, pathogenic microflora is an integral component of the balance of the oral cavity, digestive organs and gastrointestinal tract, reproductive system, without causing the development of the disease. But under the influence of certain negative factors, the rapid multiplication of fungi begins, which displace the normal microflora and provoke the development of candidiasis (thrush).
Doctors attribute intestinal candidiasis to one of the varieties of dysbiosis. Mushrooms attach to the epithelium, then acquire a filiform shape and penetrate into the tissue, provoking the appearance of necrotic sites in the foci of inflammation. Around these sites fibrin protein begins to be deposited. Healthy intestinal microflora produce antifungal antibodies, which provides an adequate immune response. But with a violation of microflora as a result of a decrease in immunity, fungi begin to affect new healthy areas.
Epidemiology
Candida mushrooms are very common in nature. And the described disease can be diagnosed in people of different age groups, sex and nationality. Thrush can develop under the influence of various reasons:
- as a side effect with prolonged use of strong broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs;
- as a result of taking corticosteroids or hormones;
- as a complication of diabetes and endocrine diseases;
- with immunodeficiency;
- in the presence of chronic diseases of an infectious nature.
Causes of the disease
As you know, the cause of the development of the pathology is Candida albicans fungi, which are present in a healthy body and begin to multiply when their protective properties are weakened. The reasons for reducing immunity include:
- Oncological pathologies, chemotherapy.
- Immunodeficiency resulting from age-related changes, stress, pregnancy, and the presence of HIV or AIDS.
- Endocrine Disorder
- Autoimmune and allergic pathologies.
- Diseases of the digestive tract.
- Transplantation of donor organs and tissues.
- Long-term use of antibacterial and hormonal drugs.
- Violation of the regime of the day and nutrition.
- Living in adverse environmental conditions.
The mechanisms of the development of the disease
In medicine, it is customary to distinguish two mechanisms for the development of candidiasis:
- Invasive thrush is characterized by the entry of fungi into the intestinal epithelial tissues. Against the background of a strong decrease in immunity, fungi penetrate the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. This phenomenon is often observed in people who have the latest stages of AIDS, as well as neutropenia. This type of pathology has two subspecies: focal and diffuse candidiasis.
- Non-invasive thrush is most common. The disease manifests itself against a background of dysbiosis or intestinal infection. When mushrooms multiply, toxins are produced that irritate the human intestines, contributing to exacerbation of dysbiosis, the development of allergic reactions and secondary immunodeficiency.
In order to reduce the risk of complications, it is recommended to undergo timely diagnosis and treatment of the disease. To develop effective treatment, the doctor must find out the cause of the development of the pathology.
Symptoms and signs of the disease
The disease has three stages of development:
- The latent period in which signs of pathology do not appear.
- Prolonged febrile syndrome with signs of infection.
- Visceralization, in which the symptoms of various diseases are manifested.
Signs of intestinal candidiasis usually appear sluggishly for a long period of time, but in some cases its acute course with pronounced symptoms is possible.
Common symptoms of various forms of disease include:
- loss of appetite
- fatigue
- flatulence;
- pain and discomfort in the abdomen;
- itching in the anal area;
- slight intoxication of the body;
- lack of feces during bowel movements.
Symptoms of the development of various forms of candidiasis
With diffuse thrush, the patient's condition is, as a rule, very severe, due to intoxication of the body. In this case, the symptoms of intestinal candidiasis are manifested in the form of severe pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, accompanied by blood secretions, as well as a strong increase in body temperature. This form of pathology is always accompanied by serious disorders of the immune system, therefore, it is often accompanied by other diseases.
With focal thrush, a person exacerbates diseases such as a stomach ulcer or duodenal ulcer, ulcerative colitis, which are not amenable to standard treatment. The symptomatology of the pathology corresponds to the underlying disease.
But most often there are reviews of intestinal candidiasis, which is non-invasive in nature. With the help of modern medicines, it is possible to completely get rid of this pathology. With it, a person develops a pain syndrome in the abdomen, flatulence, indigestion, discomfort. Sometimes it is possible to develop allergic reactions.
Doctors often confuse candidiasis with irritable bowel syndrome, as the symptoms of these two diseases are similar.
Complications and consequences
With untimely therapy or its absence, as well as with the independent treatment of the disease, it becomes chronic, in which the fungi penetrate deep into the tissue, destroying their structure. In the future, pathology provokes the development of complications in the form of intestinal ulcers, the development of internal bleeding and sepsis. Such conditions are life-threatening, as they can lead to death.
As a complication, prolonged diarrhea develops, which leads to dehydration. During pregnancy, pathology can cause fetal death or miscarriage.
Diagnostic measures
Bowel candidiasis has some difficulties in diagnosing, since the causative agent of the disease may not participate in pathological processes while in the body in a passive state. In this case, the doctor makes a diagnosis by exclusion. For this, comprehensive clinical and laboratory examinations are used:
- Microbiological examination of feces for the presence of an infectious agent. This method also allows you to choose the antibiotic to which fungi are most sensitive.
- Endoscopic testing makes it possible to determine the status of the intestinal epithelium, to detect ulcers and white plaque.
- Histological and cytological studies of scrapings from the intestinal epithelium, as well as a forceps biopsy. In this case, the Romanovsky-Giemsa method is used, as well as the Gridley method.
- X-ray of the intestine.
- Bacteriological culture of material from the intestinal mucosa.
- PCR and ELISA.
Before treating intestinal candidiasis, the doctor must conduct a comprehensive examination and make an accurate diagnosis. The difficulty in diagnosing pathology lies in the fact that fungi can not be found in all materials that are being studied. Therefore, often the test results are false. All patients undergo mandatory analysis for dysbiosis.
With untimely treatment of the disease, it degenerates into a systemic thrush, in which all mucous membranes of the organs are affected.
Therapies
Treatment of intestinal candidiasis is mainly aimed at eliminating concomitant diseases, increasing immunity and eliminating the causative agent of infection. The choice of treatment tactics depends on the symptoms of the pathology, the presence of pathologies of the digestive tract, the development of complications, as well as the general condition of the patient.
Most often, the treatment of intestinal candidiasis involves the use of antimycotic drugs, which can be prescribed in the form of tablets or injections. Often, with such drugs, the patient is prescribed an appropriate antibacterial agent to reduce the risk of secondary bacterial infection. And almost always, immunostimulants, as well as antihistamines, are prescribed to the patient.
Drug therapy
The drugs used for intestinal candidiasis belong to the following groups:
- Antimycotic drugs to eliminate the pathogen of infection.
- Antibacterial - to eliminate secondary infections.
- Preparations for the symptomatic treatment of concomitant diseases.
- Probiotics used to restore intestinal microflora.
It should be noted that Amphotericin, Ketoconazole and Fluconazole with intestinal candidiasis do not give positive results, since they are absorbed only by the upper intestines, as a result of which the necessary concentration of drugs does not reach the lumen of the colon, where the largest accumulation of fungi is usually observed . By the way, in this case, even the development of side effects in the form of toxic hepatitis is possible.
For children and pregnant women, doctors often prescribe Pimafucin for bowel candidiasis. This medicine does not cause adverse reactions and is considered an effective treatment for this pathology. It is taken one tablet four times a day for one week. Children are prescribed two tablets per day.
In parallel with the elimination of infection, as already mentioned, the treatment of concomitant diseases is carried out. For this, antisecretory drugs, vitamins, H2 receptor blockers and others can be prescribed.
Diet for intestinal candidiasis
During the treatment of candidiasis, patients should adhere to a special diet. So, from the daily diet, it is necessary to remove all products that can provoke the reproduction of mushrooms, for example, honey, sweet fruits, alcohol, soda, mushrooms. You can not eat fatty, smoked and flour foods. The basis of nutrition in this case should be the consumption of vegetables with a low content of starch and dairy products, as well as products that include simple carbohydrates.
Forecast
With timely diagnosis and treatment, a complete recovery of a person is possible. In the case of the development of a diffuse form of pathology, complications may appear in the form of the spread of an abnormal process throughout the body. If there is a background disease, the prognosis may be unfavorable. If untreated, the disease takes on a chronic form and can lead to death in severe cases due to the development of sepsis.
Prevention
Preventive measures are of great importance. In this case, they should be aimed at eliminating risk factors, as well as timely treatment of diseases that cause intestinal dysbiosis. To maintain normal microflora of the mucous membranes, it is recommended to eat properly, increasing fiber intake, monitor personal hygiene and lead a healthy lifestyle. In the treatment of antibacterial or hormonal drugs, probiotics should be used to prevent dysbiosis and candidiasis.
Candidiasis or thrush is a complex disease that needs timely diagnosis and therapy. If you experience discomfort in the abdomen, pain and itching, you should immediately consult a doctor to reduce the risk of developing dangerous complications.