The bacteria Clostridium difficile, often called simply C diff, inhabits the intestines of as many as 20 percent of hospitalized patients and 50 percent of people in long-term care facilities, according to 2008 information provided by UpToDate. This bacterium frequently causes severe diarrhea in hospitalized patients taking antibiotics. The antibiotics kill off the good bacteria, allowing C. diff to multiply. Found on hospital surfaces, C. diff spreads from patient to patient. Diet modifications may help control diarrhea, restoring the bacteria balance in the intestines.
Fluids
Severe diarrhea can lead to dehydration, especially in patients who are already debilitated such as the elderly. Inflamed areas of the intestines do not absorb fluid or nutrients well, which adds to the potential for dehydration. Fluids for hydration should contain water, salt and sugar. Soups, diluted fruit juices and flavored sodas may supply the necessary ingredients for rehydration in addition to intravenous fluids if indicated, professor Ciarian Kelly of Harvard Medical School states.
Probiotics
Many of the bacteria that normally inhabit the bowel are "good" bacteria that keep the "bad" bacteria at bay. You can consume probiotics, which are good bacteria that help maintain a healthy gut, in yogurt that contains live cultures; probiotics can help repopulate the good bacteria. When choosing yogurt for its probiotic value, look for yogurts that carry the Live & Active Cultures seal. Only refrigerated yogurt products containing 100 million cultures per gram and frozen products containing 10 million cultures per gram at the time of manufacture can carry the seal.
Lactose Intolerance
Temporary lactose intolerance can follow a C. diff infection. Damaged intestines may not produce lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose, for several weeks to months. Signs of temporary lactose intolerance include gas, bloating and abdominal pain. Stay away from milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and other dairy products until your intestines have time to heal.
Soft Foods
While the intestine heals, you may handle soft, easily digested foods best. Bananas, rice, boiled noodles, potatoes, oatmeal may go down easily and put less stress on the intestines. Crackers, boiled vegetables and soup may also digest easily.
Soluble Fibers
In animal studies, diets high in soluble fibers helped clear D diff infection faster than a diet high in insoluble fiber, registered dietitian Diana Dyer reports. Foods high in soluble fibers include oatmeal, wheat, oat and rice bran, barley, apples, peas and beans.
Member Comments