Example Diet against Dysentery: Dysentery Supplements

Dysentery

Dysentery is an intestinal disease characterized by the appearance of diarrhea mixed with mucus and blood , abdominal pain and, sometimes, nausea and vomiting .

Dysentery can be caused by infections, intestinal infestations and chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases ( ulcerative colitis , Crohn’s disease ); more rarely, it is the result of food intolerances ( gluten and lactose ) or other kinds of intoxications ( mushrooms , poisons, etc., which in any case aggravate it).

Even in the short term, dysentery can lead to very serious systemic complications. Furthermore, it is associated with significant losses of: liquids, mineral salts and blood; these result in: dehydration , hydroelectric balance alterations, anemia , neurological complications ( delirium and shock) and generalized malnutrition (also from malabsorption , if the compromise also concerns the small intestine ).

Diet

Diet for dysentery is a nutritional system aimed at restoring nutritional status and normal fecal consistency.

ATTENTION! The effectiveness of the diet and supplementation depend on the presence and/or severity of the vomiting .

When vomiting cannot be contrasted or lasts for a long time, it is necessary to rely on hospital structures for the application of parenteral nutrition .

First of all, food therapy must take into account the responsible pathological agent; however, certain precautions are to be considered universal:

• Gluten exclusion for coeliacs . This should also be eliminated without dysentery; however, any contamination during illness would greatly worsen the diarrhea.
• Lactose exclusion.
• Elimination of unnecessary laxatives , medications and dietary supplements .
• Removal of spirits and nerves .
• Absence (as far as possible) of irritating additives .
• Spicy removal.
• Elimination of cooking systems that release carbonization residues, promoting the healthiest ones.
• Minimum amount of fiber necessary for the supply of complex carbohydrates .
• Average lipid intake .
• Hydro-saline wealth.
• Presence of probiotic foods (if NOT involved in the onset of dysentery).

ATTENTION! In similar cases (underweight), the diet is initially normocaloric and supported by food supplements of various kinds (salts, vitamins , essential fats , amino acids , etc.).

When normal gastrointestinal function is restored, it is essential to ensure that the normal weight is achieved through the use of a high-calorie diet.

* Given the underweight, however difficult to estimate due to dehydration (reduction of the total liquid volume of at least 2% and frequently up to 4-5%), it was decided to slightly increase the protein intake (normally between 0.8 -1.2g/kg).

DAY 1

As can be clearly seen from the summary table, the diet for dysentery is rich in liquids (it provides about 100% of the water needed only with food ) and very low in fibre.

On the other hand, it must be highlighted that certain nutrients are present in low doses; in this case the use of food supplements becomes very important. Among the nutrients that require integration we mention: potassium , calcium, zinc , folate , vitamin C , vitamin D, carotenoids ( provitamin A ) and vitamin E.

N.B. _ In order to increase the calcium intake with food, it is advisable to prefer fortified soy milk and yoghurt ( with added calcium).

Conversely, if you want to eliminate a further portion of dietary fiber , increasing the amount of water and maintaining the other nutritional levels, it may be a good idea to replace whole fresh vegetables and fruit with their centrifuged juices.

DAY 2

DAY 3

DAY 4

DAY 5

DAY 6

DAY 7