Billions of microorganisms settle on the skin, mucous membranes, small intestine and large intestine. This symbiosis supports metabolism and ensures an intact immune system. The beneficial microorganisms train the B lymphocytes and ensure a balance in the intestine. If this symbiosis is disturbed, dysbiosis can develop.
What is dysbiosis?
If the quantitative ratio within the intestinal flora is disturbed and pathogenic germs spread, then dysbiosis is present. In the technical literature, this is also referred to as dysbacteria or intestinal flora disorder. Beneficial microorganisms in the intestine have a number of tasks:
1. they keep the settlement and spread of pathogens in check. They achieve this by secreting certain substances such as hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen peroxide and short-chain fatty acids. 2. they stimulate and train the immune system. Due to their presence, new antibodies are constantly formed. Macrophages (phagocytes) are also now produced in greater numbers. 3. they produce vitamins in small quantities: Vitamin K (coli bacteria), vitamins B3, B5, folic acid (clostridia), vitamin B12 (lactobacilli), biotin (bacteroides). 4. with their work they nourish and supply the mucous membrane of the large intestine. 5. they promote the metabolism of the intestinal wall through certain substances that they excrete. Thus, the biodiversity of these microbes is large and their tasks are markedly diverse.
Causes
The causes of disturbed intestinal flora are manifold. First and foremost are infections of the intestinal tract, for example, by fungi, streptococci, staphylococci, parasites, typhoid fever, and amoebae. Diet plays a major role in shifting the intestinal balance. If it is particularly high in protein or fat, putrefactive bacteria readily multiply. The lactic acid bacteria then reduce their population. Due to the increased fermentation in the intestine, significantly more toxins are formed. These are absorbed through the intestinal wall and enter the entire organism via the circulatory system. The same is true for sugars. Drugs such as antibiotics, the “pill” or glucocorticoids greatly impair the intestinal flora. In their mode of action, they directly attack and destroy the beneficial microorganisms. Certain environmental pollutants, such as cadmium, inhibit the growth of microorganisms. The lack of gastric acid, bile or pancreatic juice also has an unfavorable effect on the intestinal balance. If the immune system is weakened, fewer defense substances penetrate the intestine and a milieu shift occurs.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
In dysbiosis, those affected usually suffer from discomfort in the area of the stomach or intestines. These complaints have a very negative effect on the patient’s quality of life and can significantly reduce it. An indication of dysbiosis is provided by symptoms such as flatulence, diarrhea or constipation, bloating, food intolerances and other gastrointestinal disorders. Fatigue, headaches and migraines may occur. As the pathogenic germs secrete toxins, the development of other systemic diseases is promoted. The immune system is so busy with the defense against the toxic substances and the germs that it has hardly any capacity for further stresses. The permanent complaints can also have a negative effect on the psyche, resulting in depression, irritability or other psychological upsets. Dysbiosis also causes various food intolerances, so that the patient’s diet is severely restricted. There is often pain in the stomach and generally fatigue or exhaustion. Migraine may also occur and complicate the daily life of the affected person. Dysbiosis generally has a very negative effect on the patient’s state of health and can also strongly promote the development of other diseases. This often leads to other infections or inflammations. If dysbiosis is not treated, it can also lead to a reduced life expectancy. In the worst case, organ failure occurs in the kidneys or liver, which can cause the affected person to die.
Diagnosis and course
Diagnosis of dysbiosis is made with the help of a stool examination. The patient is given two tubes for this in the doctor’s office. At home, he will collect two stool samples. These stool samples will be sent from the office to a laboratory.There, a culture is created from it and evaluated after four days. The diagnosing physician receives the findings and discusses them with his patient. The results of the stool examination provide information about which therapy will be applied in the future. If dysbiosis is not treated, it will lead to a progressively worse physical condition. Intoxication of the body will reduce cell metabolism. The cells will no longer receive energy and oxygen. Nutrients can hardly be absorbed. The liver and kidneys are overwhelmed with detoxification. Diseases, states of exhaustion, migraines and creeping loss of strength set in.
Complications
Due to dysbiosis, the patient mainly suffers from discomfort and complications in the intestinal area due to the strong susceptibility to infections. In most cases, the most severe complication is food intolerance. In this case, the patient is very limited in his choice of food and must follow a strict diet to avoid pain, diarrhea or nausea after eating. The quality of life is reduced due to the intolerance. In many cases, it is not possible to completely limit the intolerance, so the food must be avoided. Similarly, Crohn’s disease can occur. Treatment is only possible if the cause of the dysbiosis is precisely identified. In many cases, a long period of time passes until the doctor finds the cause of the disease. Often, treatment begins with the help of medications and probiotics. The patient’s diet must also be completely changed, and often a so-called food diary is kept for this purpose. If the diet is adhered to, a positive course of the disease may result without further complications. Life expectancy is not reduced due to dysbiosis as long as the patient eats a healthy diet and follows a healthy lifestyle.
When should you see a doctor?
Dysbiosis does not necessarily require medical treatment if the causes are known and the condition lasts only a short time. During or after treatment with antibiotics, there is often a disturbance of the gastrointestinal tract, often accompanied by diarrhea, because the antibiotics kill not only harmful pathogens but also beneficial intestinal bacteria. In healthy adults, however, the intestinal flora usually regulates itself again at the latest after the medication is discontinued. For some people, it is also sufficient to consume special yogurt cultures during or after treatment with antibiotics in order to rebuild the intestinal flora. However, if dysbiosis persists for weeks or even months, it can lead to impairment of the intestinal mucosa. If dysbiosis does not heal promptly, a doctor should therefore be consulted without fail. Typical symptoms of intestinal flora dysfunction are severe flatulence, a feeling of fullness even after light meals, and the alternating occurrence of constipation and diarrhea. Some patients also suffer from fatigue and headaches or even develop migraines. In these cases, it is essential to consult a doctor promptly so that the balance of the intestinal flora can be restored before serious complications develop.
Treatment and therapy
Dysbiosis can be treated with the help of microbiological preparations. The basis for these preparations is E.coli and enterococci in killed and live forms. Among them there are mixtures with bacterial metabolites and cellular components, e.g. Pro-Symbioflor or Colibiogen oral. This sensitizes and trains the immune system. Other products contain living physiological germs. They are used as a second training stage for the immune system, so to speak, and are intended to recolonize the intestine, e.g. Paidoflor or Mutaflor. Other microbiological preparations consist of living germs that do not belong to the intestinal flora. Certain properties of these organisms are used therapeutically, e.g. toxin binding. Still other preparations contain killed and viable germs mixed together. The therapy is carried out in four steps:
1. inactivated E.coli bacteria and enterococci are used in the preliminary phase. 2. the first training phase for the immune system starts with live enterococci. Symbioflor 1 is used for this purpose, among others. 3. the second training phase contains live enterococci and E.coli bacteria mixed, e.g. Symbioflor 2. 4. lactic acid bacteria are prescribed to supplement the new intestinal flora.Its positive effects especially in allergies, skin diseases and fungal infections have been confirmed many times. This microbiological therapy rebuilds the microecological balance in the intestine. It also trains the body’s own defense system. The time frame for this therapy ranges from four to six months, in exceptional cases up to two years.
Outlook and prognosis
In dysbiosis, the bacterial balance in the intestine is disturbed. In its early stages, dysbiosis is a disease that can usually be treated well and easily, but some patience is required from the patient. Medication should not be taken independently, but always in close consultation with the attending physician and under regular medical supervision. Usually, the cause of dysbiosis can be reliably found after some time and some experimentation, and treatment can lead to complete cure. Dysbiosis that is not treated, however, can form the breeding ground for a variety of other secondary diseases. Therefore, dysbiosis should by no means be considered unimportant or neglected therapeutically, but should definitely be treated while it is still in its early stages. Dysbiosis can also have serious effects on other diseases such as Crohn’s disease, diabetes or irritable bowel syndrome. Research shows that dysbiosis can be the cause of these diseases as well. Other cases have been documented where dysbiosis was not causative, but negatively exacerbated the above diseases. Dysbiosis simultaneously weakens the patient’s immune system and hinders the targeted absorption of various important nutrients. In addition, it leads to annoying to very painful intestinal and digestive problems such as flatulence and very severe diarrhea. If dysbiosis is not treated by a physician, spontaneous healing is very unlikely.
Prevention
Maintaining a balanced environment in the intestines is of great importance for the entire body. Natural medicine recommends cleansing the intestines once or twice a year using herbal mixtures and bentonite. A purchased intensive cure can even be integrated into the daily routine alongside the normal diet. The same applies to a hydro-colon therapy as an intestinal cleansing. This should be followed by a rebuilding of the intestinal flora with probiotic bacteria. Changing the daily diet to the alkaline range provides the beneficial microorganisms with the environment in which they feel comfortable.
Aftercare
There are usually no special measures or options available to the patient for aftercare in the case of dysbiosis. With this disease, first and foremost, a quick and, above all, early detection must take place so that it does not lead to further compilations or complaints. The earlier the dysbiosis is detected and treated, the better the further course of the disease. In general, patients with this disease should take care of their intestines and not eat fatty or very sweet foods. Only after the successful treatment of the disease, the usual food can be taken again. The treatment of dysbiosis is usually carried out with the help of medication. The affected person should pay attention to a correct dosage and also to a regular intake in order to treat the complaints. In case of questions or uncertainties, a doctor should always be contacted first. After treatment, further regular examinations of the intestine can be carried out in order to detect any remaining complaints or damage. As a rule, dysbiosis does not reduce the life expectancy of the affected person. Since the disease can recur even after successful treatment, the trigger should of course be avoided.
This is what you can do yourself
In dysbiosis, beneficial intestinal bacteria are displaced by pathogenic microorganisms. The intestinal flora gets out of balance. Affected individuals can take a number of self-help measures to prevent this development and restore the intestinal flora to normal. An important contribution to the prevention of dysbiosis is a healthy diet that is low in fat and [[vitamins|vitamin and fiber-rich. Whole grain products, nuts, seeds, sprouts, as well as plenty of fruits, vegetables and fresh salad are recommended. Sweets and white flour products are considered counterproductive and are suspected of promoting harmful intestinal fungi. Foods of animal origin should also be consumed in moderation at best.Nicotine and excessive alcohol consumption damage the immune system and also have a negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Anyone who is unsure about nutrition should seek advice from a trained ecotrophologist. Because of the great influence of nutrition on health, many health insurance companies offer such consultations free of charge or at least reimburse part of the fees. Regular exercise is also essential for a healthy intestine, and even a brisk walk lasting about 30 minutes is sufficient to stimulate the intestine. If dysbiosis has already occurred, natural medicine advises a thorough intestinal cleansing with subsequent reconstruction of the intestinal flora. For this purpose, special bacterial strains are used, which are available in capsule form without prescription in pharmacies and drugstores.
