Dysbacteriosis: causes, symptoms and treatment

Dysbacteriosis is a condition characterized by an increase in the number of pathogenic microflora and a decrease in the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestine.

The consequence of such changes is metabolic disorders and indigestion.

Normally, several types of bacteria are found in the human intestine: enterococci, veilonella, lactobacilli, yeast bacteria, peptostreptococci, bifidobacteria, cytobacteria, bacteroids, clostridia, E. coli, staphylococci, proteus and other.

During the meal, bacteria also enter the body, their number in the intestines grows, but quickly returns to normal.

The entire intestinal flora can be divided into:

• obligate (main flora);
• optional (opportunistic flora);
• transitory (random flora).

The obligate microorganisms, first of all, include bifidobacteria. They inhabit the human intestine from birth to the end of life. These bacteria perform important functions, which we will talk about later.

Obligate flora also includes lactobacilli. They are localized both in the oral cavity and in the large intestine.

Escherichia and enterococci are also the main intestinal flora.

Facultative microorganisms include bacilli, fusobacteria, staphylococci, peptococci, klebsiella, yeast-like fungi, proteus, streptococci and others.

These bacteria are involved in digestion, but if they are exceeded in the body, they cause disease.

Why does the body need bacteria?

What do bacteria do in the human body? Normally, they perform the following functions:

• protection of the intestines from pathogenic microorganisms and toxins;
• promote the digestion of food, start the process of parietal digestion;
• suppress the process of putrefaction in the intestines;
• participate in the production of vitamins of group B, K, pantothenic acid, synthesize proteins and amino acids, substances that kill pathogenic flora;
• enhance the absorption of vitamin D and calcium;
• maintain the required pH level in the organs of the gastrointestinal tract;
• break down milk protein, bile acids and carbohydrates.

Dysbiosis reasons

A decrease in the number of normal and an increase in the number of pathogenic flora can be caused by the following conditions:

• in a newborn - bacterial vaginosis in the mother, untimely attachment to the breast, prematurity, prolonged stay in the hospital, purulent infections, breast milk intolerance;
• in infants and in early childhood - early onset of artificial feeding, frequent viral infections, low hemoglobin or red blood cells, underweight, rickets, presence of allergies;
• at preschool and school age - frequent viral infections, being in children's groups, allergies;
• adolescence - allergies, frequent viral diseases, drug addiction;
• middle age - occupational hazards;
• old age - age-related changes (a decrease in the number of E. coli bacteria, an increase in the number of microorganisms that produce cholesterol;
• at any age - frequent intestinal infections, long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and hormonal drugs, unhealthy diet, impaired immune defense, taking antibacterial drugs, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, stress.

Symptoms

How is dysbiosis manifested? The clinical picture depends on what microflora caused the disease. Also, the signs of dysbiosis differ in children and adults.

So the following symptoms prevail in children:

• weight loss;
• allergic dermatitis (skin rash);
• redness of the tongue;
• dry skin and peeling;
• damage to the skin in the corners of the mouth;
• the appearance of "scratching" on the skin;
• redness of the lips and the appearance of dry scales on them;
• sores in the mouth, on the gums;
• nausea and vomiting;
• metallic taste and putrid breath;
• itching in the anal area;
• soreness in the abdomen;
• diarrhea with profuse, watery stools. Sometimes undigested food debris can be seen in the stool;
• constipation, or stool in the form of sheep feces;
• increased salivation;
• increased gas production (flatulence);
• discharge of a large amount of feces.

Signs of dysbiosis in adults:

• belching;
• nausea and vomiting;
• cramping abdominal pain;
• bloating;
• frequent urge to defecate. In this case, a small amount of feces is excreted. A sensation of incomplete emptying of the intestines is characteristic;
• metallic taste in the mouth;
• rumbling in the stomach;
• constipation or diarrhea, or their alternation. Feces can be either hard at the beginning and mushy at the end of emptying, or "sheep" with constipation;
• admixture of mucus in feces;
• "Seizures" in the corners of the mouth;
• allergic reactions on the skin;
• dry skin;
• sleep disturbance;
• weakness and fatigue;
• headache;
• itchy skin.

With dysbiosis caused by staphylococcus, the patient complains of an increase in temperature to 39 ° C, a decrease in appetite, poor sleep, headache, sweating, abdominal pain, diarrhea up to 10 times a day with mucus, pus or blood, flatulence.

In blood tests, there is an increase in the number of leukocytes, the level of ESR. The amount of albumin is reduced, and the amount of globulins is increased. If the dysbiosis is difficult, then in the analyzes there is a protein deficiency.

With dysbiosis caused by enterobacteria, enterococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the patient is worried fever up to 37.5 ° C, dull pain in the abdomen, decreased appetite, diarrhea with mucus, bloating belly.

With dysbiosis caused by yeast-like fungi, the temperature remains within normal limits, the pain in the abdomen is mild. Diarrhea no more than 5 times a day, white blotches and mucus are found in the feces.

If the disease is caused by Candida or Aspergillus fungi, then the patient is worried about soreness in the abdomen, near the navel, flatulence, and heaviness in the abdomen.

The stool becomes thin with mucus, blood, or foam. Sometimes white or green blotches or films are found in it. Appetite is reduced, weakness and weight loss occur.

Dysbiosis is often accompanied by manifestations of vitamin deficiency.

With a lack of vitamins of group B, the motor activity of the intestines is disturbed, "seizures" appear in the corners of the mouth, nails become thinner, and hair falls out. The patient is worried about bad sleep, "creeping creeps" on the arms and legs.

Lack of niacin leads to irritability, redness of the tongue and mouth, increased salivation.

Which doctor to contact

If you have the above symptoms, you need to contact a therapist or gastroenterologist. The doctor will prescribe the necessary examination and treatment.

In some cases, you may need to consult an allergist-immunologist, dermatologist. If signs of dysbiosis appear in a child, you should consult a pediatrician.

Survey

What examination should be done if dysbiosis is suspected? To diagnose "Dysbacteriosis", the following studies are carried out:

• complete blood count - an increase in the number of leukocytes, ESR levels, sometimes anemia;
• general urine analysis is the norm;
• biochemical blood test - a decrease in the amount of albumin and total protein and an increase in the level of globulins;
• coprogram - the presence of undigested food debris;
• sowing feces for dysbiosis - detection of pathogenic microflora;
• microscopic analysis of feces - study of the composition of microflora under a microscope;
• fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy (FEGDS) - allows you to diagnose changes in the mucous membrane of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum and take a biopsy from suspicious areas;
• sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy - these studies are necessary to assess the condition of the intestinal mucosa, taking a biopsy. With sigmoidoscopy, the rectum and sigmoid colon are examined, and with colonoscopy, the entire large intestine. Before conducting these studies, the patient needs to prepare. Preparation takes 1 to 3 days, during which you should adhere to a liquid-based diet, drink a laxative the night before the study. The examination is carried out under anesthesia;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal organs - allows you to identify abnormalities in the abdominal organs;
• irrigoscopy - X-ray examination of the large intestine with a contrast agent;
• X-ray examination of the intestine with barium.

Treatment

How to get rid of dysbiosis? Treatment of the disease is based on drug therapy and diet.

Non-drug treatment

Diet means eating a sufficient amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates in a balanced ratio.

The diet should be free from fried, fatty and salty foods. It is recommended to drink a glass of water 30 minutes before meals.

You need to eat at least 5 times a day, in small portions. You can't overeat. The last meal should be no later than 2 hours before bedtime.

With dysbiosis, it is important that the following foods are present in the food:

• cabbage;
• seaweed;
• dairy products;
• chicken;
• nuts;
• butter;
• spinach;
• beet;
• peas;
• pumpkin seeds;
• beef;
• peas;
• fish;
• parsley;
• Wheat flour.

For treatment, the color of the feces and its consistency matter. A yellowish tint indicates the presence of a large amount of fiber and starch. In this case, you need to eat more food containing protein.

If the faeces are dark, then this indicates the presence of undigested fibers. To eliminate this condition, you need to exclude meat and fats from the diet, and eat more dairy products and vegetables.

For diarrhea, the food you eat should be liquid and warm. Mashed and boiled foods should prevail in the diet.

With constipation, it is necessary to consume as much fiber as possible (carrots, apricots, cabbage, apples).

Drug treatment

Probiotics, Prebiotics, Antibiotics, Antifungal drugs, Immunomodulators, Bacteriophages will help restore normal intestinal microflora.

Also, with dysbiosis, Antispasmodics and Antiallergic drugs can be used.

The choice of drugs is made on the basis of a microbiological study of feces and the detection of certain bacteria.

Probiotics

Probiotics are microorganisms that are used to treat dysbiosis. When they enter the intestine, they populate it, restoring the normal microflora. The drugs in this group are divided into:

• multicomponent (include several types of bacteria) - Linex, Bifiform. The course of treatment is 14 days;
• monocomponent - include only one type of bacteria (Colibacterin, Bifidumbacterin, Lactobacterin). The course of therapy is from 14 days to 1 month;
• combined - in addition to the main flora, they include bacteria that do not die under the influence of antibiotics. These drugs include Linex, Bifikol, Bifistim;
• genetically engineered - in addition to the microorganisms contained in the intestines, such drugs contain genes that increase the body's immunity (Bifilis). Duration of treatment - up to 2 weeks;
• Symbiotics are medicines that contain Prebiotics and Probiotics. Such drugs increase the number of beneficial microorganisms and accelerate their growth (Bifidobac, Maltodofilus, Laminolact). Duration of treatment is 3 weeks;
• antagonists - drugs that suppress the growth of pathogenic flora (Bactisporin, Bactisubtil). The duration of treatment is 5-7 days.

Prebiotics

These are drugs that promote the accelerated growth of beneficial bacteria. They are not absorbed in the body and are not digested in the organs of the gastrointestinal tract.

This group includes Khilak forte, Exportal, Eubikor, Normase, Stimbifid, Laktofiltrum and others.

Antibiotics

Before prescribing this or that antibiotic, it is necessary to find out which microflora prevails in the intestinal lumen. After all, each antibacterial drug acts only on a certain flora.

The most commonly used are Erythromycin, Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Intetrix. Antibiotics are prescribed for 5 days.

Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages are viruses that invade and kill bacteria. Therefore, with excessive growth of staphylococcal flora, staphylococcal bacteriophage is used, with excessive growth of E. coli - coli-bacteriophage, with growth of Proteus - Proteus bacteriophage. The duration of the course of treatment is 5 days.

Antifungal agents

They are used for overgrowth of fungal flora. The drugs of choice are Fluconazole and Nystatin. The duration of therapy is 5 days.

Immunomodulators

These are agents that increase the body's immunity. Should only be prescribed by a physician. Immunomodulators include Dibazol, lemongrass infusion, Polyoxidonium, Likopid.

Antiallergic drugs

They are used in the development of allergic reactions against the background of dysbiosis. Antihistamines include Loratadine, Cetirizine, Ebastin, Astemizole.

Antispasmodics

These medicines are used for severe pain syndrome. They relieve intestinal muscle spasm. Antispasmodics include Papaverine, No-Shpa, Meteospazmil.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies will help get rid of dysbiosis. But such treatment cannot replace drug therapy. Therefore, traditional medicine recipes should only be used in conjunction with the treatment prescribed by a doctor.

Recipes:

• serum. Place kefir in a container with hot water. Separate the curd mass from the whey. Serum drink daily in the morning in a glass;
• put a liter of milk on fire and bring to a boil. After cooling, add small pieces of brown bread and leave for a day. Add garlic crackers to the mixture. Take daily in the morning, before meals. Keep refrigerated;
• Dissolve 10 g of honey in warm water and drink after meals. The course of treatment is 1 month;
• consume 1 clove of garlic daily;
• chew garlic overnight, washing it down with kefir;
• Mix oak bark, alder and bird cherry fruits in equal amounts. Take 10 g of the mixture and pour 200 ml of boiling water. Put on fire for 20 minutes, then leave to cool. Drink throughout the day, 3 sips at a time. Course - 7 days;
• Mix 2 parts of chamomile, mint and plantain with 1 part of St. John's wort and burdock. Pour 15 g of the mixture with half a liter of boiling water. Let it brew and take half a glass three times a day.

Prophylaxis

How to prevent dysbiosis? To do this, you need to eat right. Take food at least 5 times a day, in small portions. Include dairy products and plant foods in the diet.

Do not take long-term antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as hormones. Stress and frequent viral infections should be avoided.

Conclusion

Dysbacteriosis is a condition characterized by an increase in the number of pathogenic microflora and a decrease in the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestine.

The consequence of such changes is metabolic disorders and indigestion. Normal microflora performs many functions in the body, one of which is digestion.

Imbalance in the intestinal flora leads to abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, symptoms of vitamin deficiency, weight loss, nausea and vomiting, and impaired immunity.

The symptomatology of dysbiosis also depends on which microorganism caused this condition.

Diagnosis of disturbed microflora includes general and biochemical blood tests, coprogram, microscopic analysis of feces, FEGDS, ultrasound of the abdominal organs, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, irrigoscopy and X-ray with barium.

Treatment of dysbiosis consists of adhering to a diet, taking Probiotics or Prebiotics, Immunomodulators, Antibiotics, Antifungal drugs, Antispasmodics and Antihistamines.

Along with drug therapy, alternative methods of treatment can be used.

Prevention is based on adherence to the diet, the inclusion of dairy and plant foods in the diet, avoidance of antibiotics, NSAIDs and hormonal drugs.

It is important to avoid stress and viral infections. If any of the symptoms listed here appear, you need to consult a doctor and undergo an examination, on the basis of which treatment will be prescribed.