Infections of the Small Intestine

There are different diseases or infections of the small intestine. The small intestine has an important role in the body – it digests, it absorbs, and it propels food. Having infections will hinder the small intestine to function properly. The symptoms could be diarrhea, experiencing bleeding, bloating, feeling nauseous, vomiting, experiencing abdominal pain, and sometimes it even involves obstruction to your abdomen.

Salmonella Infections

Salmonella can appear in many different forms. The most common is the non-typhoidal Salmonella which is usually due to food poisoning.

Typhoid Fever – This is an infection from Salmonella typhi. This infection is characterized by prolonged fever, having bacteria in the blood and experiencing many dysfunctions of your organs such as kidney and brain inflammation.

Staphylococcus Aureus – This infection is said to be the second most common cause of food poisoning from bacteria. The bad bacteria multiply in the food and in result produces toxin. The kind of toxin produced cannot be removed by heating. Symptoms of this infection includes vomiting and abdominal cramping.

Bacillus Cereus – this type of organism produces an intestinal toxin. This infection is acquired by constantly consuming fried rice. Symptoms include vomiting, sometimes diarrhea.

Other Infections – There are other infections of the intestines such as E-coli, Clostridium, Campylobacter, Yersinia, and Vibrio (cholera) and these can cause severe symptoms. Symptoms are severe illness due to diarrhea, and a big dehydration problem.

Protozoal Infections

Giardia Lamblia – This common parasitic pathogen may contaminate water, and even can affect travelers towards underdeveloped countries. Symptoms varies but usually includes bloating, gas, bowel disturbance, and malabsorption. Children going in day care centers have a higher risk of getting Giardiasis. People who suffer from this infection may experience a significant weight loss & sometimes steatorrhea.

Intestinal Worms

Hookworms – These intestinal worms attach themselves to the small intestine. Hookworms are the common cause of anemia (iron deficiencies). Other symptoms may sometimes include abdominal pain & diarrhea.

Tapeworms – A lot of tapeworms can be found in all sorts of meat, whether it pork, fish, or beef. You can get infected when you consume raw meat or undercooked meat. Tapeworms can also be transmitted when in contact with human feces. This type of intestinal worm can get in the way for your intestine to function properly. Symptoms also include abdominal pain & diarrhea but not so severe. The tapeworm found in fish can cause a deficit of Vitamin B12 in your body.

Pin Worms – This type is usually found in children. The most common symptom is an itch in the anal area.

Strongyloides Stercoralis – This intestinal worm is more common in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, but there are still found in all parts of the world. This worm makes its way through from the skin and travels through the body until it reaches the small intestine. Symptoms include the involvement of the lungs (cough, wheezing, or shortness of breath), and chronic infections (abdominal pain, vomiting, malabsorption, weight loss).

Echinococcosis – This type form as a cyst infection towards humans. But this is found in the intestine of sheep & dogs. They get infected when they live closely and are unhygienic. Humans can also get infected but only when they consume produce (fruits & vegetables), and water which are contaminated with the eggs of the Echinococcosis worm.

These infections can be prevented and the intestinal worms can be eliminated with proper diet and making sure that what you are eating is clean. Intestinal Support Supplements can also help with this process.