Not all bacteria is bad. In fact, your body has good bacteria that helps keep you healthy. When this good bacteria is lessened with the use of antibiotics, harmful bacteria, such as Clostridium difficile, or C. difficile, flourishes and creates a bevy of bothersome symptoms -- which includes a life-threatening inflammation of the colon.
Prevalence of C. difficile
Tens of thousands of Americans become ill with C. difficile every year, reports MayoClinic.com. Although most of the people who experience the infection are elderly or have certain medical problems, some are otherwise healthy individuals who are neither hospitalized nor using antibiotics. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, says that potentially infectious spores can survive on bed linens, bed rails, medical equipment or other places outside of the body. Ingesting these spores can crate symptoms that include frequent, watery diarrhea; abdominal cramping; and fever and other flu-like symptoms. Proper hand washing is crucial to preventing the infection, specifically among hospital staff and visitors.
Essential Fluids
Because C. difficile-infected individuals may experience as many as 15 bouts of diarrhea daily, dehydration is a concern. Essential fluids are therefore an important part of the C. difficile diet. Adequate intake of water and electrolyte fluids that contain sodium, bicarbonate, potassium and chloride is necessary for normal functioning of the cells and organs. Broth, juice and sports drinks are examples of such beverages.
Probiotics
Probiotics are known as friendly bacteria. As such, these live organisms help balance potentially harmful bacteria in the body. Both dietary supplements and foods that contain probiotics, such as yogurt and Acidophilus-enriched milk, may help treat and prevent infectious diarrhea and gastrointestinal infections, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC. Consuming yogurt or milk that contains specific strains of the probiotic Lactobacillus may also enhance the immune system for a faster recovery from C. difficile, says the UMMC.
Considerations
Because C. difficile can become severe, it's important to talk to your doctor before attempting to treat your condition with diet alone. In some cases, certain types of antibiotics are necessary to kill the invading bacterium. In rare cases -- approximately one or two out of every 100 infected individuals -- surgery is required to remove infected areas of the intestines, according to the CDC.
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