C-DIFF Infection

What is C-DIFF
Clostridium difficile (klos-TRID-e-um dif-uh-SEEL), C. difficile or C. diff, is a bacterium that can cause symptoms ranging from diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the colon.

Illness from C. difficile most commonly affects older adults in hospitals or in long-term care facilities and typically occurs after use of antibiotic medications. C. difficile infections have become more frequent severe and difficult to treat. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/c-difficle/DS00736

 Treatments and Drugs

The first step in treating C. difficile is to stop taking the antibiotic that triggered the infection, when possible.

See: http://thehealthalert.blogspot.com/2012/09/how-antibiotics-work.html

For mild to moderate infection, doctors usually prescribe metronidazole (Flagyl) is not FDA approved for C. difficile infection but has been shown to be effective. Side effects include nausea and a bitter taste in your mouth.

Antibiotics:  Ironically the standard treatment for C. difficile is another antibiotic. These antibiotics keep C. difficile from growing, which treats diarrhea and other complications.

For more severe and recurrent cases, vancomycin (Vancocin) may be prescribed. Another oral antibiotic, fidaxomicin (Dificid). In a study the recurrence rate of C. difficile in people who took fidaxomicin was lower than among those who took vancomycin. Fidaxomicin costs considerably more than metronidazole and vancomycin. Common side effects of vancomycin and fidaxomicin include abdominal pain and nausea.

Surgery: For people with severe pain, organ failure or inflammation of the lining of the abdominal wall, surgery to remove the diseased portion of the colon may be the only option.

Recurrent Infection
Up to 20 percent of people with C. difficile get sick again, either because the initial infection never went away or because they're re-infected with a different strain of the bacteria. Treatment for recurrent disease may include:

Antibiotics: Antibiotic therapy for recurrence may involve one or more courses of a medication (typically vancomycin).

Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT): Also known as a stool transplant, though not yet approved by the FDA, clinical studies of FMT are currently underway. Research has shown FMT has a success rate higher than 90 percent for treating C. difficile infections. One small, randomized, controlled trial stopped early because the results were so positive, with a 94 percent success rate overall.

Probiotics: Probiotics are organisms, such as bacteria and yeast, which help restore a healthy balance to the intestinal tract. A yeast called Saccharomyces boulardii, in conjunction with antibiotics, might help prevent further recurrent C. difficile infections. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/c-difficile/DS00736/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

Herbal Treatment

Check with your doctor before taking any herb to treat a Clostridium difficile infection.

Garlic has been used for more than 5,000 years as an herbal healer, according to Michael Castleman, author of "The New Healing Herbs." The antibiotic properties of garlic's primary chemical compound, called allicin, may help destroy Clostridium difficile infection. It may promote excessive wound bleeding by reducing your body's ability to produce blood platelets.

Catnip is not widely used as an herbal remedy in the United States today. Early Americans used this herb to treat depression, according to Castleman. Nepetalactone isomers, which are chemicals found in catnip, may offer antibiotic benefits. These chemicals may help control the growth and spread of Clostridium difficile, helping to relieve diarrhea and abdominal pain associated with infection.

 Chamomile is primarily known in the United States as a mild sedative and tranquilizer, and is commonly used as an alternative to over-the-counter sleep aids. Chamomile may also help treat Clostridium difficile infections. Certified nutritional consultant Phyllis Balch says “this herb may have antibacterial properties, and may be particularly effective for relieving diarrhea.

CayenneThis hot pepper also has a long history of use in herbal medicine. Capsaicin, the primary chemical compound in cayenne, may also help destroy Clostridium difficile bacteria, reducing infection. Handling fresh cayenne peppers may cause skin burns, and may irritate the mucous linings of your nose and eyes. http://www.livestrong.com/article/489748-herbal-remedies-for-c-diff/#ixzz2byGGeq2b

 
This is not medicine or medical advice. Consult your doctor before taking supplements and for all health concerns.The TONIC Nutritional Garlic Supplement has the potency of raw garlic without the odorous residue. May help restore and maintain Good Health, Naturally. Nutritional supplements may react adversely with Rx and over-the-counter drugs. Consult health care professional before taking nutritional supplements.