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Alternative Names: Amebic dysentary is also known as amebiasis. Dysentery is commonly misspelt as dysentary.
Dysentery is a more serious form of diarrhea, where the stools are tinged with blood and mucus. The diarrhea can be quite severe, characterized by colicky pains and frequent visits to the toilet. Stools can be passed as often as fifteen to thirty times per day. The onset is typically sudden, accompanied by a high fever and thirst. The illness causes great fatigue and depletion of strength. Dehydration is a serious side-effect, especially if the person becomes too weak to drink enough liquids.
The diarrhea typical of dysentery is caused by an inflammation of the colon due to infection by one of a number of organisms, including bacteria, parasites and viruses. The infection is typically spread by eating contaminated food, or from direct contact with an infected person.
The two most common types of dysentery are those caused by shigella bacteria and by ameba parasites. In the dysentery caused by shigella bacteria, flies transfer the bacteria from infected feces to food in areas where hygiene is poor. Handling food also passes on bacteria to others.
Amebic Dysentary is an intestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite called Entamoeba histolytica. Anyone can get amebiasis, but it is recognized more often in people arriving from tropical or subtropical areas, individuals in institutions for the developmentally disabled and homosexual males.
Causes & Development
Unlike infection from shigella, amebic dysentery only occurs in hot climates. The ameba parasite is spread via contaminated water, raw food grown on contaminated soil and, more rarely, contact with an infected person. Infection can occur from contact with persons who have little or no signs of illness but, as carriers, can pass on the disease. Both of these types of dysentery are more common in areas of poor sanitation. While traveling in tropical climates, extra care should be taken regarding food, drink and personal hygiene.
Amebiasis is contracted by swallowing the cyst stage of the parasite in contaminated food or water. It can also be spread by person-to-person contact. Infected people are the only sources of the parasite: fecal material from infected people may contaminate water or food which may serve as a vehicle to infect others.
Signs & Symptoms
The symptoms of amebic dysentery are quite mild, with constipation and diarrhea alternating, combined with some intestinal cramping and gas. People exposed to this parasite may experience mild or severe symptoms or no symptoms at all. Fortunately, most exposed people do not become seriously ill. The mild form of amebiasis includes nausea, loose stools, weight loss, abdominal tenderness and occasional fever. Rarely, the parasite will invade the body beyond the intestines and cause a more serious infection, such as a liver abscess. The symptoms may appear from a few days to a few months after exposure but usually within two to four weeks. Some people may carry the parasite for weeks to years, often without symptoms.
Diagnosis & Tests
Diagnosis is usually through examination of stools under a microscope. Occasionally, several stool samples must be obtained because the number of amoeba changes from day to day.
Treatment & Prevention
Specific antibiotics such as metronidazole can be prescribed by a doctor to treat amebiasis.
Generally, it is not necessary to exclude an infected person from work or school. Casual contact at work or school is unlikely to transmit the disease. Special precautions may be needed by foodhandlers or children enrolled in day care settings.
The most important precautions are careful handwashing after each toilet visit and proper disposal of sewage. Homosexual males should refrain from intimate contact until effectively treated.
General Recommendations for Dysentery
The first concern in treating dysentery is to compensate for the sometimes life-threatening loss of fluid and electrolytes due to the extreme diarrhea. Warm vegetable broths will replace water and minerals and provide other nutrients. If the kidneys are not inflamed, include parsley. Its etheric oil apiol stimulates the kidneys, promoting the elimination of the toxins causing the disease. Garlic should also be part of the broth, since it helps kill parasites.
In areas where the safety of the water supply is uncertain, drink only bottled water and avoid ice-cubes. Papaya skin and seeds contain a substance that destroys parasites and can be chewed as a preventive measure. When in the tropics, eat only fruit and vegetables that you can peel. Disinfect the skin of the fruit before you peel.
Supplements should help the body rid itself of the bacteria or parasites involved. Garlic and grapefruit seed extract both have strong antiparasitic and antibacterial properties and can be taken over long time periods, if necessary. Garlic capsules (3 capsules three times daily) are a simple and odorless alternative to eating raw garlic. Grapefruit seed extract is also odorless and available in both tablet (3 capsules three times daily) and liquid form.
Lactobacillus acidophilus (3 capsules or 1 tsp daily) and other types of healthy bacteria treat the infection naturally by re-establishing the intestinal flora. These are particularly helpful for treating amebic dysentery, as well as other bacterial forms of diarrhea. All of the above can be taken for prevention as well as for treatment. During the diarrhea, charcoal tablets help bind toxins and slow the diarrhea.
Other suggestions:- Peppermint and camomile tea will help heal inflamed, irritated intestinal walls and alleviate pain. Add 5 drops of peppermint oil to the tea for enhanced action.
- Goldenseal relieves diarrhea caused by a bacterial infection and helps stop intestinal bleeding. Take 10 drops of tincture in liquid, three times daily for two days.
- Slippery elm bark is extremely beneficial and healing to the intestinal tract. Add 1 tsp. of powdered slippery elm bark to apple sauce to make it more palatable for a child. Take three times daily.
- Bayberry root bark destroys harmful bacteria and contains the alkaloid berberine which has the ability to kill parasites.
- Take 1 tbsp. of wormwood in water twice daily to kill intestinal worms.
- Silverweed relieves various stomach complaints, especially dysentery. Combine with peppermint for improved effect.
- Grape leaves are good for chronic dysentery.
Homeopathy
Choose one of the below in a 6c strength repeating hourly for three to six doses, then four times daily. Continue until the symptoms disappear or for two weeks. One dose is 2 tablets under the tongue.
Arsenicum album is often used for diarrhea. The symptoms are quite violent, the pain typically burning in character. The blood- and mucus-filled diarrhea is accompanied by anxiety, weakness and restlessness. The person is chilly, usually thirsty for small sips of water, and the symptoms are worse at night.
Phosphorus is the second choice for similar cases with terrible burning pains and anxiety, bloody stools and great weakness. Phosphorus will help if there is a feeling as though the anus is open, allowing for an involuntary passage of stools. Typically, there is great thirst for very cold water.
Veratrum album should be used in similarly violent cases, where the stools look like rice water and expel quickly. A cold sweat is typical. Vomiting and diarrhea often occur simultaneously. The person is weak, chilly and thirsty for large quantities of water.
Tissue salts will help replace lost minerals due to excessive bowel elimination. Take 4 tablets three times daily under the tongue, or hourly if the pain and diarrhea are acute.- Ferr phos should be used in the beginning stages, in alternation with Kali mur every thirty minutes. Ferr phos helps subdue the inflammatory pain.
- Kali mur is specifically for the slimy, bloody stools that coincide with cutting pain and constant urging.
- If cramping pains are still present, Mag phos is useful.
Complications
The main danger of an amebic dysentery is involvement of the liver, and can lead to hepatitis, cysts and abscesses. These liver problems can remain dormant for many years.
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Conditions that suggest Dysentery:
Risk factors for Dysentery:
KEY | | Strong or generally accepted link |  | | Proven definite or direct link |
GLOSSARY
Abdomen (Abdominal)
That part of the body between the chest and the hips that contains the stomach, intestines, liver, bladder, pancreas and other organs.
Acidophilus
A microflora (good bacteria) that acts as a digestive aid and lives in your intestines helping your body fight disease.
Acute
An illness or symptom of sudden onset, which generally has a short duration.
Amoeba (Ameba)
A single-celled organism that has no rigid body structure. Examples of parasitic amoebae include Entamoeba histolytica (cause of amoebic dysentery) and Naegleria sp. and Acanthamoeba sp. (causes of eosinophilic meningitis). Amoebae usually move around in water and take in food by extending pseudopods.
Antiparasitic
Destructive to parasites.
Anxiety
Apprehension of danger, or dread, accompanied by nervous restlessness, tension, increased heart rate, and shortness of breath unrelated to a clearly identifiable stimulus.
Bacteria (Bacterial, Bacterium)
Microscopic germs. Some bacteria are "harmful" and can cause disease, while other "friendly" bacteria protect the body from harmful invading organisms.
Boil (Abscess, Abscesses, Boils, Carbuncle, Carbuncles, Furuncle, Furuncles, Cystic Acne, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Pilonidal Cyst, Pilonidal Cysts)
A localized infection deep in the skin. A boil generally starts as a reddened, tender area. Over time, the area becomes firm and hard. Eventually, the center of the abscess softens and becomes filled with white cells that the body sends to fight the infection (pus). Finally, the pus forms a "head" and drains out through the skin. A furuncle or carbuncle is an abscess in the skin caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. It can have one or more openings onto the skin and may be associated with a fever or chills. Cystic acne is a type of abscess formed when oil ducts become clogged and infected. Cystic acne is most common in the teenage years. Hidradenitis suppurativa is an illness in which there are multiple abscesses that form under the arm pits and in the groin area. These areas are a result of local inflammation of the sweat glands. A pilonidal cyst is a special kind of abscess that occurs in the crease of the buttocks. These frequently form after long trips that involve sitting.
Chronic (Chronicity)
Usually referring to chronic illness: Illness extending over a long period of time.
Colon (Colonic)
The part of the large intestine that extends to the rectum. The colon takes the contents of the small intestine, moving them to the rectum by contracting.
Constipation (Constipated)
Difficult, incomplete, or infrequent evacuation of dry, hardened feces from the bowels.
Cramp (Cramping, Cramps)
A sudden, involuntary, painful muscular contraction.
Cysts (Cyst)
A closed pocket or pouch of tissue; a cyst may form within any tissue in the body and can be filled with air, fluid, pus, or other material. Cysts within the lung generally are air-filled, while cysts involving the lymph system or kidneys are fluid filled. Cysts under the skin are benign, extremely common, movable lumps. These may develop as a result of infection, clogging of sebaceous glands, developmental abnormalities or around foreign bodies.
Diarrhea
Excessive discharge of contents of bowel.
Dysentery
An inflammatory disorder of the lower intestinal tract, usually caused by a bacterial, parasitic, or protozoan infection and resulting in pain, fever, and severe diarrhea, often accompanied by the passage of blood and mucus.
Electrolyte (Electrolytes)
An element or compound that, when melted or dissolved in water or other solvent, breaks up into ions and is able to carry an electric current.
Hepatitis
Inflammation of the liver usually resulting in jaundice (yellowing of the skin), loss of appetite, stomach discomfort, abnormal liver function, clay-colored stools, and dark urine. May be caused by a bacterial or viral infection, parasitic infestation, alcohol, drugs, toxins or transfusion of incompatible blood. Can be life-threatening. Severe hepatitis may lead to cirrhosis and chronic liver dysfunction.
Homeopathy (Homeopathic)
A system of medicine based on the belief that the cure of disease can be effected by minute doses of substances that, if given to a healthy person in large doses, would produce the same symptoms as are present in the disease being treated. Homeopathy employs natural substances in small doses to stimulate the body's reactive process to remove toxic waste and bring the body back into balance.
Intestinal Flora
The "friendly" bacteria present in the intestines that are essential for the digestion and metabolism of certain nutrients.
Kali
Pertaining to potassium.
Kidneys (Kidney, Renal)
Bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They are located near the middle of the back, just below the rib cage. The kidneys are sophisticated reprocessing machines, each day handling about 50 gallons of blood to sift out about half a gallon of waste products and extra water. The waste and extra water become urine, which flows to the bladder through tubes called ureters. The actual filtering occurs in tiny units inside the kidneys called nephrons. Every kidney has about a million nephrons. In a nephron, a glomerulus -- which is a tiny blood vessel, or capillary -- intertwines with a tiny urine-collecting tube called a tubule. A complicated chemical exchange takes place, as waste materials and water leave your blood and enter your urinary system. The kidneys recycle chemicals such as sodium, phosphorus, and potassium and thus regulate their levels. Renal: Pertaining to the kidneys.
Lactobacillus
A genus of gram-positive, acid-resistant bacteria in the Lactobacillaceae family. We know of lactobacillus because of its use in making yogurt and the conventional wisdom of taking it in one form or another after antibiotic therapy, but it is an integral part of the colon and mouth flora, and is the critical acidifying agent in vaginal flora. There is a growing body of rather ignored data showing the value of regular consumption of a lactobacillus-containing food in immunosuppression, slow virus, and candidiasis conditions.
Liver (Hepatic)
The largest and one of the most complex organs of the body, the liver is responsible for much of the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. It is the site of much of the body's detoxification. It is connected very closely with digestion and the regulation of blood sugar, among many other functions. Found behind the ribs on the right side of the abdomen, it has many important functions such as removing harmful material from the blood, making enzymes and bile that help digest food, and converting food into substances needed for life and growth. Hepatic: Pertaining to the liver.
Mineral (Minerals)
Plays a vital role in regulating many body functions. They act as catalysts in nerve response, muscle contraction and the metabolism of nutrients in foods. They regulate electrolyte balance and hormonal production, and they strengthen skeletal structures.
Mucus (Mucous)
The viscous, slippery substance that consists chiefly of mucin, water, cells, and inorganic salts and is secreted as a protective lubricant coating by cells and glands of the mucous membranes.
Nausea
Symptoms resulting from an inclination to vomit.
Parasite (Parasites, Parasitic, Parasitical)
An organism living in or on another organism.
Phosphorus
The second most abundant mineral in the body, found in every living cell. It is involved in the proper functioning of both muscles and nerves. It is needed for metabolic processes of all cells, to activate many other nutrients, and to form energy-storage and energy-releasing compounds. The phosphorus content of the body is approximately 1% of total body weight. Phosphorus combines with fats to form phospholipids. Combined with calcium, it gives strength and rigidity to the bones and teeth.
Stomach
A hollow, muscular, J-shaped pouch located in the upper part of the abdomen to the left of the midline. The upper end (fundus) is large and dome-shaped; the area just below the fundus is called the body of the stomach. The fundus and the body are often referred to as the cardiac portion of the stomach. The lower (pyloric) portion curves downward and to the right and includes the antrum and the pylorus. The function of the stomach is to begin digestion by physically breaking down food received from the esophagus. The tissues of the stomach wall are composed of three types of muscle fibers: circular, longitudinal and oblique. These fibers create structural elasticity and contractibility, both of which are needed for digestion. The stomach mucosa contains cells which secrete hydrochloric acid and this in turn activates the other gastric enzymes pepsin and rennin. To protect itself from being destroyed by its own enzymes, the stomach’s mucous lining must constantly regenerate itself.
Tablespoon (Tablespoons, tbsp)
Equivalent to 15cc (15ml).
Teaspoon (Teaspoons, tsp)
Equivalent to 5cc (5ml).
Tincture
An alcohol or water-alcohol solution, usually referring to a preparation from herbal materials.
Tropics (Tropical)
The region of the earth's surface lying between 23°27 North of the equator and 23°27 South of the equator.
Virus (Viri, Viruses)
Any of a vast group of minute structures composed of a protein coat and a core of DNA and/or RNA that reproduces in the cells of the infected host. Capable of infecting all animals and plants, causing devastating disease in immunocompromised individuals. Viruses are not affected by antibiotics, and are completely dependent upon the cells of the infected host for the ability to reproduce.
Last updated: Nov 08, 2009
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