Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria is a normal habitant of human gut and thus they are not harmful usually. Some strains (E. coli O157:H7) may cause difficulties such as pain in stomach, cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea. In severe cases, there may be bloody diarrhoea. A person can become infected by E. coli O157:H7 via water or food that are contaminated by the bacteria. Most of the cases need not any treatment.
Signs and symptoms
The person with E coli infection often experience diarrhoea (watery or blood mixed), stomach pain, tenderness of abdomen on palpation, nausea and vomiting within 3 or 4 days after getting infected.
Causes
There are various strains of E coli, but O157:H7 strain affects the lining of gastrointestinal tract. The toxic substance that released by these bacterial strains ruin the lining of stomach wall. E coli get into the human digestive system as an individual ingest contaminated water, food articles, under-cooked meat, unpasteurized milk etc. Direct contact with infected people can also be a reason.
Pathophysiology
Watery or bloody diarrhoea is caused by Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC). They may be E. coli O157:H7 or non O157:H7 serotypes. They produce Shiga-like (which is responsible for haemolytic uremic syndrome/ HUS) toxins and is absorbed by the inflamed lining of intestinal wall. As a result, the function of endothelial cells is disrupted leading to platelet activation.
Diagnosis
Lab examination of stool for presence of E. coli.
Complications
Though rare, E coli infection may lead to Hemolytic uremic syndrome and is common among older adults and children.
Treatment
- coli infection usually relieved by its own. If it causes serious problems like dehydration, proper rest and re-hydration is needed. Anti-diarrhoeal medications are not recommended in this condition because they may interrupt the digestive mechanism. Antibiotics are also not preferred as they can worsen the complications. In case of complications like Hemolytic uremic syndrome, blood transfusion, IV fluids and dialysis can be adopted.
Ayurvedic concept
This can be correlated with conditions like Kaphaja krimi, pureeshaja krimi and Gara visha.
Nidana
Intake of ksheera, guda, tila, matsya, anupa mamsa, pistaanna, paramanna, ajeerna puti klinna sankeerna virudha asatmya bhojana are the nidanas of Krimi.
Poorvarupa
Shoola, sadana, annadwesha etc may appear as prodromal symptoms.
Samprapti
Krimi in the amashaya may move upward or downward leading to chardi or atisara, pain in abdomen, karshya etc.
Lakshana
Jwara, soola, sadana, atisara, brama and annadwesha.
Prognosis
The acute condition is sukhasadhya, whereas the chronic one with complication ma be krchra sadhya.
Chikilsa
Apakarshana (virechana, vamana), then prakriti vikhata (use of katu, tiktha, kasaya, kshara, ushna dravya; managing shleshma and pureesha) & then, nidana varjanam.
Commonly used medicines
Vidanga krishnadi Kashaya, Patoladi Kashaya, vidangarishta, Chavikasava, Panchakolasava, Krimighna churna, Vidanga churna, Ashta churna, Krimighna gulika, Vilwadi gutika, Dashangam gutika, Suvarna malini Vasant, Krimikutharam gutika, Vidanga louha.
Home remedies and behavioral changes
Powder of Muvila (Uraria picta) mixed in hot water can be taken in empty stomach. Pasted leaves of Durva (Cynodon dactylon) or Cyperus rotundus is also helpful. Avoid dairy products, caffeine, fatty food, viruddha ahara, food items that increase Kapha dosha, uncooked/ undercooked vegetables and meat. Use the fruits and vegetables after cleaning thoroughly.
Yoga
All the yogic postures that can improve the digestive power and immune power can be followed as a prevention and supportive therapy. They include Dhanurasana, Pavanamuktasana, Vajrasana, Ardhakatichakrasana, Ushtrasana etc. Yogic purificatory therapies like Vasti and vamana dhouti can help detoxify the stomach.
Researches
- Triphala churna, Hareetaki churna, Dashmula churna etc are effective in E. coli infection. (Tambekar DH, Dahikar SB. Antibacterial activity of some Indian Ayurvedic preparations against enteric bacterial pathogens. J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2011 Jan;2(1):24-9. doi: 10.4103/2231-4040.79801. PMID: 22171288; PMCID: PMC3217688).
- Extracts of Aristolochia indica, Nardostachys jatamansi, Cassia fistula etc has significant anti-microbial activity (Kumar VP, Chauhan NS, Padh H, Rajani M. Search for antibacterial and antifungal agents from selected Indian medicinal plants. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Sep 19;107(2):182-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2006.03.013. Epub 2006 Mar 27. PMID: 16678369).
- Medicine named Suvarnamalini vasant have protective capacity against E. coli (Sangle V, Darp M, Nadkarni S. Evaluation of immunomodulatory activity of Suvarnamalini vasant, a generic Ayurvedic herbomineral formulation. Indian J Exp Biol. 2004 Jan;42(1):115-6. PMID: 15274492).
The Food and Drug Administration, United States has not evaluated these statements. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult your GP before the intake.
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