Intestinal dysbiosis is an imbalance of intestinal bacterial flora that reduces the absorption capacity of nutrients and causes a lack of vitamins. This imbalance is caused by a decrease in the number of good bacteria in the intestine and an increase in bacteria capable of causing disease.
Generally, dysbiosis causes symptoms such as nausea, gas, diarrhea or constipation, and has a cure, which can be achieved through dietary reeducation guided by a nutritionist. However, when dysbiosis is not treated, bad bacteria can migrate into the blood, causing an infection throughout the body that, in the most severe cases, can lead to death.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of intestinal dysbiosis are:
- Nausea; Gas and belching; Hair loss; Weak nails; Bloating; Alternating periods of diarrhea and constipation; Malformed stools; Headaches; Tiredness; Repeated candidiasis.
If dysbiosis is suspected, the gastroenterologist may order a stool test or a specific urine test to identify dysbiosis, the Indican test.
How the Indican exam is done
The Indican test is done using a urine sample, which must be either the first morning urine or the concentrated urine for 4 hours. In this test, the amount of Indican in the urine is evaluated, which is a product of the metabolism of tryptophan, an amino acid present in foods, such as dark chocolate and nuts.
Under normal conditions, tryptophan is converted into indole and this into indican by the action of intestinal bacteria, with the presence of traces of this compound in the urine normal. However, when there is an imbalance in the intestinal flora, there may be a lot of Indican production, with its concentration being high in the urine and confirming the diagnosis of intestinal dysbiosis.
Causes of intestinal dysbiosis
The causes of intestinal dysbiosis may be related to the use of antibiotics, cortisone or laxatives and also due to alcohol abuse. Stress, an inadequate diet with excess sugar, refined and industrialized foods and low in fiber, as well as some intestinal diseases, such as diverticulosis, intestinal inflammation and constipation, also favor the imbalance of the intestinal flora and, consequently, of the installation dysbiosis.
People with dysbiosis can develop hives and acne, which are caused by intoxication caused by the entry of bad bacteria into the blood and, therefore, it is important to carry out the treatment correctly.
How the treatment is done
To treat dysbiosis it is necessary to be accompanied by a nutritionist because the treatment consists of restoring the bacterial flora with an adequate diet. The person should consume foods rich in fiber and probiotics, which stimulate the growth of good bacteria in the intestine, helping to establish the absorption of nutrients and vitamins. Find out what the probiotics are and what they are for.
