What Is C. Diff?

C. Diff: What it is and How to Prevent It

Clostridium difficile, better known as "C. diff", is a serious bacterial infection which can pose a significant threat to one's heath, resulting in serious problems and even death. With symptoms such as nausea and foul-smelling diarrhea, C. diff is certainly something you want to avoid. This article will better explain what C. diff is and how you can prevent it.

What is C. Diff?

C. diff is a bacterium which can be found on many surfaces including the soil, water, and air. Many animal and human feces contain the bacteria. When you are infected with C. diff, the bacterium becomes active in your stomach and works to destroy the lining of your intestines along with the cells in your colon.

Dangers of C. Diff

Those suffering from C. diff often experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. Since those suffering from C. diff often have watery stools more than three times a day, they are put at a large risk for becoming dehydrated, resulting in low blood pressure and even kidney failure. The bacteria can often eat a hole in one's large intestine, causing peritonitis. Some people experience a ruptured colon. All of these conditions are extremely serious and are often life-threatening.

What Happens?

C. diff is on most surfaces that we come in contact with but is most frequently found in hospitals and nursing homes. While the majority of us have the bacteria in our body, it will usually remain dormant until disturbed by something such as antibiotics.

Who is at Risk?

Those most likely to develop C. diff include the elderly, those with weakened health conditions, people who are taking chemotherapy and anyone who has used antibiotics recently.

What Can I Do?

Although C. diff bacteria can be found in many places, your chances of developing an infection are very rare if you are in good health. C. diff most often affects those who are older, have weaker bodies, and, most often, have been on antibiotics. To prevent the development of C.diff, it is important to keep your body in good health by eating right, exercising, and taking natural supplements. Avoid taking unnecessary antibiotics and, when they are unavoidable, always take probiotics along with them. If you suffer from symptoms similar to C. diff, then it is important to talk to you doctor before the infection becomes life threatening.

While C. diff is a serious and frightening condition, is can be easily prevented by working to stay in good health and by taking plenty of probiotics during and after a round of antibiotics.