Clostridium difficile infection – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com

Clostridium difficile is a bacterium that results in diarrhea and more severe intestinal diseases, such as colitis. It is naturally present in the gut or the intestinal tract and is most frequently present in younger people. When the balance of good bacteria in the gut is altered because of some antibiotics, the bacteria will multiply and cause diarrhea and serious illnesses. C. difficile can be transmitted in feces or any surface, device, or material that becomes contaminated with feces.

Known side effects of a Clostridium difficile infection

There are several known side effects of C. difficile infection. These include a mild to severe watery diarrhea, bloody or blood-stained stools, increased body temperature, mild abdominal cramps, and tenderness. Moreover, C. difficile infection may cause an infection of the lining of the abdomen, blood poisoning, and perforation of the colon, although rare. Severe cases of this infection may cause dehydration, increased body temperature, loss of appetite, more severe abdominal cramping and pain, nausea, pus or blood in the stool, watery diarrhea, and weight loss.

Body systems harmed by a Clostridium difficile infection

The main body system that is harmed by a C. difficile infection is the digestive system as it infects the bowel and causes diarrhea.

List of foods or nutrients that prevent a Clostridium difficile infection

According to an entry published on the website HomeRemedyHacks.com, the foods that can help prevent or treat C. difficile infection include garlic, oregano, Manuka honey, and fermentable fibers such as oats, oatmeal, oat bran, peas, beans, rice bran, citrus fruits, barley, apple pulp, strawberries, and bananas.

Treatments, management plans for  a Clostridium difficile infection

There are treatment and management plans for C. difficile infections, depending on the severity of the illness. One of the treatment plans is to stop taking the antibiotic that caused the problem. This will enable the good bacteria to thrive again in the gut. Fluid replacement is also needed if the infection caused diarrhea since it is essential to replace lost fluids. This can be done either by a tube that passes through the nose directly into the stomach or by a drip into the veins. Surgery may be needed if the infection progresses into fulminant colitis.

Where to learn more

• Clostridium difficile antibiotic-resistant infections rapidly spreading in hospitals worldwide
• Is Clostridium difficile-associated disease linked to use of common stomach medication? (press release)
• BREAKTHROUGH as certain probiotics are found to produce powerful antibiotics that kill superbugs
• Sugar alternative is NOT so healthy after all: Trehalose, a substitute used in many processed foods, is giving rise to a superbug, severe disease, study warns
• HONEY: Is this ancient medicinal food the key to fighting deadly drug-resistant infections?

Summary

Clostridium difficile infection is caused by the bacterium of the same name that is naturally present in the gut or the intestinal tract.

C. difficile infection causes a mild to severe watery diarrhea, bloody or blood-stained stools, increased body temperature, mild abdominal cramps, tenderness, an infection of the lining of the abdomen, blood poisoning, and perforation of the colon.

Severe cases of C. difficile infection cause dehydration, increased body temperature, loss of appetite, more severe abdominal cramping and pain, nausea, pus or blood in the stool, watery diarrhea, and weight loss.

C. difficile infection mainly affects the digestive system.

C. difficile infection may be prevented or treated with garlic, oregano, Manuka honey, and fermentable fibers such as oats, oatmeal, oat bran, peas, beans, rice bran, citrus fruits, barley, apple pulp, strawberries, and bananas.

C. difficile infection can be treated by stopping intake of antibiotics, fluid replacement, and surgeries.

Sources include:

MedlinePlus.gov

MedicalNewsToday.com

NHS.uk

HomeRemedyHacks.com

Patient.info