What is dysbiosis?
Dysbiosis is a disturbed quantitative or qualitative composition of microflora. It may be caused by a disease of the gastrointestinal tract or other organs.
What is the normal microflora?
More than 500 bacterial species dwell in human gastrointestinal tract. Most of them inhabit human organism during the first hours after birth and live there all human life long. The composition of microbial populations in different segments of the gastrointestinal tract significantly vary both qualitatively and quantitatively. Microflora constituents may produce either positive or negative effects on human body. It is believed that unconditionally beneficial effects are produced by Bifidobacterium, lactobacilli, and eubacteria. Other microflora species can produce either beneficial or adverse effects depending on conditions. The appropriate composition of microflora is requited for the intestine to function properly.
What functions are performed by microflora?
Microflora performs a number of unique and important functions including the following:
production of enzymes required for normal digestion of food and for normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
protection from pathogenic microorganisms;
synthesis of bioactive substances (vitamins, hormones, etc.);
stimulation of the immune system;
participation in restoration of the intestinal epithelium;
detoxication of foreign substances (xenobiotics);
control of intestinal gases;
control of pH and water-electrolyte metabolism;
control of all metabolic processes (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, etc.);
participation in bile acid recirculation.
What can cause changes in microflora?
The causes of dysbiosis may be very different. Usually, changes in microflora result from disturbed bodily functions (diseases or immunodeficiency) or unfavorable environmental conditions including ecological problems, climatic changes, inappropriate nutrition, hazardous occupation, surgery, stress, violation of sanitary and hygienic norms, etc.. In children, dysbiosis is promoted by too early artificial feeding, delayed onset of breast feeding, complicated pregnancy or delivery, purulent infections, dyspepsia, diathesis, rickets, anemia, inappropriate feeding, hormonal rearrangements, endocrinopathies, etc.
What are the manifestations of dysbiosis?
The manifestation s of dysbiosis include:
increased gas-formation;
stinky winds;
constipations and diarrheas;
urges for defections immediately or soon after food intake;
false urges for defection;
intestinal discomfort;
skin rash;
frequent headaches;
allergic reactions;
nausea;
eructation;
fatigue.
What conditions make dysbiosis development most likely?
Disturbances in intestinal microflora occur in 90-100% of patients with internal diseases including the following:
diseases of the digestive system (irritated bowel syndrome, chronic inflammatory diseases of the intestine, chronic gastritis, ulcer, chronic hepatitis, chololithiasis, chronic pancreatitis etc.);
cardiovascular diseases (ischemic heart disease, myocardial dystrophy, etc.);
metabolic diseases (obesity, dyslipoproteinemias, urolithiases, etc.);
oncological conditions;
allergic and autoimmune conditions (bronchial asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and other diffuse disease of the connective tissue);
gynecological conditions (endometriosis, dysmenorrheas, etc.).
What should be done if dysbiosis develops?
It is most reasonable to address an expert. It is not easy, yet, possible to diagnose dysbiosis
for certain. The essential prerequisite for it is the involvement of an experienced
gastroenterologist. Doctors working at LenMedCenter are at your service to find out the
causes of dysbiosis and to help in restoration of the normal intestinal microflora.