HEALTH A bug you really don’t want

DEBILIATATING Clostridium difficile

A bug you don’t want


Ask the Doctor
Dr Dilis Clare

We are all involved with hospitals whether we know it or not. We work there, attend clinics, visit patients ourselves – or we share taxis, canteens and door handles with those who do!
In these situations, we run the risk of picking up a range of ‘bugs’, some more serious than others. Among them us Gastroenteritis (tummy upset), which can be caused by a strain of bacteria called Clostridium difficile (C diff). Symptoms can be prolonged and debilitating. We are especially prone within two months after a course of antibiotics or if we are over 60 years old.
There are four types of drugs that make infection with Clostridium Difficile more likely:
Antibiotics – for example, Clarithromycin (Klacid), Amoxicillen/Clavulanic acid (Augmentin-Duo) and so on; Protein Pump Inhibitors, such as Pantoprozole (Protium), Esomeprazole (Nexium); Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatories, such as Ibuprofen (Nurofen), Diclofenac (Difene) etc; and H2 blockers like Ranitidine (Zantac).
Ask your pharmacist if any of your drugs fit into these categories.  If they do, pay particular attention to the advice below.

Why does it matter?
One out of five patients in hospital aquire C diff. Of these, one in three develop symptoms that can range from mild diarrhoea to 25 percent mortality in the frail elderly. We normally have 7 lbs of bacteria in our gut. Some are helpful, some mind their own business and some are positively harmful if not held in check by the ‘good guys’.
You’ve guessed it C. Difficile is a nasty little bugger if allowed to run riot.

Prevention

• C diff is spread via faeces, so hand washing is essential – and a good scrub is needed.
• Spores can stay viable for weeks on door handles, worktop surfaces etc, so keep using the elbow grease!
• If you have digestive discomfort such as wind, bloating, constipation, heartburn or indigestion take probiotics on a regular basis to encourage helpful gut bugs.
• Ensure your diet is healthy and includes essential fatty acids and seven portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
• Only take drugs when needed, particularly those listed above.
• Nature provides natural anti-inflammatories e.g. Harpagophytum (Devil’s Claw), Pineapple Stem (Bromelain), Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa). Antimicrobial herbs include: Thyme (Thymus spp.), Sage (Salvia), Myrrh (Comiphora), Golden Seal (Hydrastis can.). Consult a medical herbalist for specific advice on using these herbs if you have ongoing problems.

Lastly, always consult your health adviser if you suffer from diagnosis of severe, ongoing or recurring symptoms. This is particularly relevant if there is a change in bowel habit or any bleeding from the bowel.

Dr Dilis Clare MBBCh, DRCOG, BSc (Hons) Herbal Medicine, is a GP and consulting Medical Herbalist. Based in Galway, she is an Honorary Clinical Fellow at the National University of Ireland Galway College of Medicine.