Dysentery: Treatment, Diagnosis and Prevention



DYSENTERY


Dysentry is caused by infection of the intestines resulting in severe diarrhea with the presence of blood and mucus in the feces. It is an intestinal inflammation, especially in the colon, that can lead to severe diarrhea with mucus or blood in the feces.
Dysentery is spread among humans through contaminated food and water. Once a person is infected, the infectious organism lives in the intestines and is passed in the stool of the infected person. With some infections, animals can also be infected and spread the disease to humans.
Types of Dysentery Dysentery
Blood in the feces


Causes of Bacillary dysentery
Bacillary dysentery, which is also known as shigellosis, is caused by four species of the genus Shigella: S. dysenteriae,S. sonnei, the mildest species and the most common form of Shigellafound in the United States,  S. boydii  and S. flexneri.


Causes of amoebic dysentery

Poor hygiene: is the main cause of bacillary dysentery infection. However, it can also spread because of tainted food.
Amoebic dysentery: is usually caused by infection with the Entamoeba histolytica amoeba.
Amoebic dysentery is more common in the tropics while bacillary dysentery is more common elsewhere.
The amoeba group together and form a cyst, the cysts come out of the body in human feces. In areas of poor sanitation, these cysts (which can survive for a long time), can contaminate food and water, and infect other humans. The cysts can also linger in infected people's hands after going to the toilet. Good hygiene practice reduces the risk of infecting other people.

Symptoms/Signs of Dysentery
Symptoms usually appear from one to three days after the person has become infected - this is called the incubation period.
Pain may be a symptom while a rash may be a sign.

Other possible symptoms include:
1. Decreased urine output
2. Dry skin and mucous membranes (such as dry mouth)
3. Feeling very thirsty
4. Fever and chills
5. Muscle cramps
6. Muscle weakness (loss of strength)
7. Weight loss



How to Prevent Dysentery
1. Avoiding swallowing water in swimming pools, hot tubs, or other recreational water sources
2. Drinking only purified water when backpacking, camping or hiking
3. Drinking only purified water when visiting developing countries
4. Using purified water for brushing your teeth and washing food
5. Washing your hands well with soap and water after touching feces, having contact with an infected person or animal, changing diapers, or using the bathroom, and before eating or preparing food

How to Diagnose Dysentery
1. Blood tests: There are many blood tests that can be done for diagnosis having a high degree of accuracy.
2. Proctosigmoidoscopy or Colonoscopy: These are special procedures done when the diagnosis is not clear after stool and blood tests. This involves the use of a thin, lighted instrument inserted into the rectum and colon to view them directly and tissue samples are taken for laboratory examination.
3. Stool tests: The stool samples should be done in the laboratory to confirm the presence of E. histolytica.
4. Ultrasound: If there are complications and involvement of the abdominal organs, then further investigations, such as ultrasound, may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

How to Treat Dysentery
Treatment for dysentery begins with seeking medical care from your doctor. To determine if you have dysentery, your doctor can ask you to provide stool samples for laboratory testing. Antibiotic therapy is the mainstay of treatment for dysentery due to bacterial organisms and is highly effective. It is important to follow your treatment plan for dysentery precisely and to take all of the antibiotics as instructed to avoid recurrence.

Antibiotics for the treatment of dysentery caused by bacterial organisms include:
Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra)

The most common treatment for amebic dysentery caused by Entamoeba histolytica is metronidazole (Flagyl), an antiparasitic medication.



Home Remedies
Arjuna: is made of the bark of the herb provides relief from dysentery. This drink can be taken in doses of 15 to 30 grams. The bark has cooling effect. It arrests bleeding. It provides relief from fever.

Bael fruit/Wood apple: is a natural coolant which arrests dysentery. Unripe or half ripe fruit is good for digestion. This fruit strengthens the stomach and promotes its action.

Banyan: Soak leaf buds in water overnight. Drink this infusion in morning for better results. The leaf buds arrests bleeding or secretion.

Black nightshade: Black nightshade corrects the disordered processes of nutrition. It includes digestion, absorption, utilization and excretion of food substances. It restores the normal function of the system. It reduces the pain and irritation. They also improve the appetite. An infusion made of the plant is useful for dysentery.

Butea: Seeds and leaves of butea have medicinal properties. The leaves are effective in arresting the secretion and bleeding. The gum is mild and useful for children and women in delicate conditions. The leaves can be chewed as it is to treat the disease.  An infusion of the gum as rectal enema will provide instant relief. Fresh juice of the leaves also can used for treating this disease.

Curry leaves: Curry leaves strengthen the stomach and promotes its action. Tender curry leaves mixed with honey is very effective for dysentery.

Coriander seeds: An herbal decoction can be made of two tablespoons of dried out coriander seeds. This can be taken with water or buttermilk. This helps in soothing the irritation in intestinal layer. Coriander seeds also help in reducing mucus in the stool.



Lemon: Peel and slice about three lemons. Add about 250ml of water to it and boil for a few minutes. Strain this infusion. This infusion should be taken thrice daily.

Pomegranate rind: Take about 60gm of pomegranate rind and boil it 250ml of milk. Remove it from fire when one third of milk has evaporated. This should be given in three equal doses at regular intervals. This will provide relief from dysentery.

Musk melon: Sometimes dysentery may be accompanied by soft and mucilaginous secretion in the intestines. Some of the portion may be left stuck inside. If this condition persists for a long time, it may force the intestine to contract. In such cases musk melon is very effective. The fruit has properties which expel the matter with faeces.

One tablespoon of the pulp of the fruit mixed with enough amount of jaggery should be given thrice a day. In chronic cases, 15 gm of unripe fruit pulp should be roasted over the fire. Mix 250ml of water or buttermilk to this pulp. Add jaggery to sweeten the infusion. Drink this thrice a day. 15 gm of the pulp can be mixed with equal amount of dried ginger. Then 250ml of buttermilk can be mixed to it.  The patient can drink this thrice day.

Onion: Cut onion into small pieces and mix it with curd. Add equal parts of tender peepal tree leaves, coriander leaves and sugar. Chew this slowly.