Small bowel bacterial overgrowth

Abdomen | Gastroenterology | Small bowel bacterial overgrowth (Disease)


Description

Bacterial overpopulation syndrome is a pathological condition in which certain intestinal bacteria that colonize the gut normally multiply excessively. The entire digestive Thracians normally contains bacteria. The figure is higher in colon-over 1 million bacteria in one milliliter of fluid and lower small intestine-under 10. 000 bacteria per ml of fluid. Bacterial overcrowding is increasing the number of bacteria in the small intestine to over 100. 000 per ml of fluid and type of bacteria should be similar to the colon.

Causes and Risk factors

Many diseases are associated with this syndrome. The most commonly encountered are: diabetic gastropathy scleroderma, Crohns disease, various causes of obstructions of the digestive tract, diverticulosis. Some sufferers only few symptoms or weight loss. Others present severe nutritional deficiencies, diarrhea, abdominal distension and flatulence. Normal bowel movements, peristaltic, maintain a balance of bacteria in intestine. Diseases of the intestinal contents has slowed transit or cause stasis allow excessive growth of bacteria. Bacteria consume excess nutrients, including vitamins B12 and carbohydrates leading to a low calorie and vitamin B12. Bacteria alter liver secretes bile salts to aid digestion. Cause loss of bile salts in fat absorption difficulties, leading to diarrhea and poor nutritional status.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is based on typical clinical picture. Treatment usually includes antibiotics, reduce diarrhea, resettle the normal intestinal flora. Therapy includes surgical repair of intestinal strictures, fistulas and abnormal diverticula. When the bacteria digest food in the intestine produce gas. The gas can accumulate in the abdomen causing its distension. Distention can cause abdominal pain. Large quantities of gas are removed by flatulence. Bacteria convert food into irritants and toxic to the intestinal mucosa and throughout the body. These substances produce a Watery diarrhea by determining excessive lumen. A bacterial type producer of methane cause constipation. In large intestinal bacteria compete for nutrients with the human host. Thus malnutrition is deficient in minerals and vitamins. When large numbers of bacteria can lead to weight loss. ...