In any he althy person, the gastrointestinal tract is inhabited by microorganisms. They do not just live there, but perform their significant roles, helping each other. Normal intestinal microflora contributes to the utilization of cholesterol, the production of vitamins, such as B12 and K. With the participation of he althy microflora, our immunity is brought up, which prevents pathogenic microflora from multiplying in the intestine. The latter leads to many troubles, various diseases develop in the body, which can bring the patient to an extremely serious condition.
What does pathogenic microflora mean
In the body of a he althy person, there should not be more than 1% of the total microbiota of representatives of pathogenic microflora. The growth and development of pathogenic representatives is suppressed by our helpers - beneficial microorganisms that live in the digestive tract.
Pathogenic microbes that got inside the body with unwashedproducts, with insufficiently thermally processed food, and simply through dirty hands, do not immediately excite diseases. They can safely wait until the immune system is weakened. In this case, they immediately actively multiply, kill beneficial microbes, cause various pathologies in the body, including dysbacteriosis.
In the normal microflora, there are four main microorganisms: bacteroids, bifidobacteria, Escherichia coli and lactic acid bacteria. Normally, pathogenic microflora should be absent. A he althy body is able to fight pathogens and keep them out of your home.
Varieties of pathogenic microflora
Pathogenic microorganisms are divided into two significant groups:
- UPF (conditionally pathogenic microflora). Includes Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, Peptococcus, Yersenia, Proteus, Klebsiella, Aspergillus and Candida fungi. They can be constantly present in the body, but manifest themselves when resistance decreases.
- PF (pathogenic microflora). It is represented by salmonella, vibrio cholerae, clostridium, some strains of staphylococcus aureus. These representatives do not live in the intestines, mucous membranes and tissues on an ongoing basis. Once inside the body, they begin to multiply rapidly. At the same time, beneficial microflora is forced out, pathological processes develop.
UPF representatives
The most numerous group of UPF are streptococci and staphylococci. They can enter the body throughmicrocracks in the mucous membrane and skin. Cause tonsillitis, stomatitis, purulent inflammation in the mouth, nasopharynx, pneumonia. Spreading with the bloodstream throughout the body, bacteria can lead to the development of rheumatism, meningitis, lesions of the heart muscle, urinary tract, kidneys.
Klebsiela causes severe damage to the intestines, genitourinary and respiratory systems. In severe cases, the meninges are destroyed, meningitis and even sepsis develop, which leads to death. Klebsiella produces a very strong toxin that can destroy beneficial microflora. Treatment is very problematic, since this microorganism does not perceive modern antibiotics. Often premature babies suffer, as they do not yet have their own microflora. Mortal risks from pneumonia, pyelonephritis, meningitis, sepsis are high.
Candida mushrooms are the culprits of thrush. The mucous membranes of the oral cavity, genitourinary system, and intestines are also affected.
Aspergillus molds colonize the lungs and show no symptoms of presence for a long time. Sowing on pathogenic microflora, which is studied in laboratories, helps to detect the presence of certain representatives in the body.
PF Representatives
The main causative agents of intestinal infections are pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli, as well as Salmonella. Pathogenic microflora causes intoxication of the body, diarrhea, fever, vomiting, lesions of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract.
The Clostridium bacterium causes tetanus, gas gangrene and botulism,in which soft tissues and the nervous system are affected.
When C. difficile enters the body, the gastrointestinal tract is affected, pseudomembranous colitis begins. C. perfringens type A provokes the development of necrotic enteritis and food poisoning.
Such a terrible disease as cholera is caused by Vibrio cholerae. This microorganism multiplies rapidly, causing watery diarrhea, severe vomiting, and rapid dehydration can be fatal.
To identify these microorganisms, it is necessary to analyze the pathogenic microflora. It will help to quickly establish a diagnosis and begin timely intervention.
Microflora in newborns
Pathogenic human microflora is formed gradually. In a newborn, the gastrointestinal tract is not inhabited by flora, which is why it is so susceptible to infections. Often babies suffer from colic, dysbacteriosis. This happens when the amount of UPF in the intestines is exceeded and their own beneficial microbes cannot cope with them. Treatment should be carried out in a timely manner, correctly: to populate the baby's digestive tract with lacto- and bifidobacteria with the help of drugs. So you can avoid the consequences of dysbacteriosis, reproduction of pathological forms.
Normally, when breastfeeding, beneficial microorganisms enter the baby's body with mother's milk, settle in the intestines, multiply there and carry their protective functions.
Reasons for the development of PF
Pathogenic intestinal microflora causes manydiseases. Doctors identify the main reasons why dysbacteriosis develops:
- Unbalanced diet. The use of a large amount of proteins, simple carbohydrates leads to the spread of putrefactive phenomena and flatulence. This also includes excess consumption of preservatives, dyes, pesticides, nitrates.
- Long-term use of antibiotics.
- Chemotherapy, exposure to radioactive waves, antivirals, long-term hormone therapy.
- Inflammatory processes in the intestines that change the pH, leading to the death of beneficial bacteria.
- The presence of parasites that release toxins. It lowers immunity.
- Chronic and viral infections that reduce the production of antibodies (hepatitis, herpes, HIV).
- Oncology, diabetes, pancreas and liver damage.
- Operations, severe stress, fatigue.
- Frequent enemas, bowel cleansing.
- Eating spoiled food, poor hygiene.
The risk group includes newborns, the elderly, and adults with gastrointestinal problems.
Signs of dysbacteriosis
Doctors distinguish four stages in the development of dysbacteriosis. The symptoms for each of them are slightly different. The first two stages usually do not manifest clinically. Only attentive patients can notice a slight weakness of the body, rumbling in the intestines,fatigue, heaviness in the stomach. At the third stage, the following signs are noted:
- Diarrhea - manifested as a result of increased intestinal peristalsis. Water absorption functions are impaired. Elderly people, on the contrary, may experience constipation.
- Bloating, increased gas formation, fermentation processes. Pain around the navel or in the lower abdomen.
- Intoxication (nausea, vomiting, weakness, fever).
At the fourth stage of dysbacteriosis due to metabolic disorders observed:
- pallor of the skin, mucous membranes;
- dry skin;
- gingivitis, stomatitis, inflammation in the oral cavity.
To identify the causes of the disease, the doctor during the diagnosis will recommend taking feces for pathogenic microflora. The analysis will provide a complete picture of the disease.
Drug therapy
If a disease is detected, the cause of which is pathogenic microflora, the treatment is prescribed complex. To begin with, the doctor establishes the causes and stage of the disease, then prescribes drug therapy and gives recommendations on nutrition. The following drug groups are used:
- Probiotics. Inhibit the growth of pathogenic flora, contain bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.
- Prebiotics. Stimulate the reproduction of beneficial microorganisms for the intestines.
- Symbiotics. Combine both functions.
- Enzyme preparations.
- Sorbents. Means that allow you to bind, and then remove from the body the products of decay, decay, toxins.
If the fourth stage of dysbacteriosis is established, then antibiotics are prescribed. In each case, one or another drug is prescribed.
Proper nutrition
It is necessary to highlight the products that contribute to the development of pathogenic flora in the intestines. These include the following:
- Confectionery, flour products.
- Sweet foods high in sugar.
- Fermentation.
- Smoked meats.
- Whole milk.
- Beans.
- Alcoholic drinks and carbonated drinks.
- Fried food.
Everyone who is thinking about how to recover from dysbacteriosis should give up the listed products. Include in your diet:
- Starch-free vegetables.
- Green.
- Porridge made from oatmeal, buckwheat, wheat, brown rice.
- Dairy products.
- Meat of chicken, quail, turkey, rabbit, veal.
It should be noted that fruits such as bananas, apples, cause fermentation. If there are problems with the intestines, their use should be limited. Clarification: baked apples have a positive effect on the intestines. They are like a spongeabsorb toxins, stop diarrhea, provide fiber to the intestines.
