THROUGH the educational campaign to identify pediatric diseases, Dr. Khaled Dabash Pediatric Consultant talked about probiotics defining it as a species of friendly beneficial bacteria which exist naturally in the digestive system since birth and we cannot practically live a healthy and natural life without these beneficial bacteria that contribute to maintain the delicate biological balance in the body. There are several factors that can negatively affect the level of these vital substances in the digestive system as uses of antibiotics and exposure to diarrhea in addition to psychological tension. Lack of probiotics level in the gastrointestinal tract is often accompanied with many symptoms, including indigestion and feeling bloated and diarrhea. Importance probiotics for children Probiotics have a very important role in children, especially infants and newborns. It helps in the treatment of diarrhea caused by (bacteria, virus or a parasite), where it helps to flush out toxins resulting from the microbes that cause diarrhea, it also helps reconfigure the digestive enzymes which reduces the duration and severity of diarrhea. They also have a vital role in strengthening the immune systems of children, where it motivates production of antibodies which destroy the bad bacteria and enhances the immune system performance. Finally, probiotics play an important role in the treatment of gases and bulges in newborn children, which leads to constant crying and irregular sleep where they help digest lactose, which is responsible for the process of bloating. Probiotics improve the performance of the digestive system and eliminate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in the adults. Prof. Dr. Hamilton, a professor in microbiology at the royal university in London, said that IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is the most common digestive disease and has a significant impact on human lifestyle to the degree that it may hinder their activities. Professor Hamilton said that IBS is spreading quickly in the Arab region due to changing lifestyle. He said that a disease characterized by group of disparate symptoms in the digestive tract as episodes of abdominal pain, upset at the defecation process with bloating and all these symptoms potentiated by neurological stress. Professor Hamilton, in a lecture delivered during the scientific conference in Jeddah entitled “Probiotics and its importance to human health,” added that the majority of patients with irritable bowel syndrome are young and middle-aged but it has spread particularly among women because of the vulnerability of these groups to stress at work and home. In addition type of foods affects patients with irritable bowel syndrome as spicy food is the most exciting meals of the colon and at the same time the most favored among young people and this makes it worse. Also not paying attention to eating fruits and vegetables, which smoothens out the emotions of the colon, is a factor. He also talked about probiotics as a beneficial micro-organisms for health that maintains the natural balance of the intestinal bacterial micro flora system, the health of the digestive system and in the treatment of all the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis. He said that scientific research indicated that the natural balance of intestinal bacterial device affects the movement of the intestine and causes inflammation of the wall that can be eased through the natural role for probiotics, which manages the lining of the intestinal wall and prevents the discharge of harmful bacteria causing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. He stressed that probiotics play an important role in stimulating the immune system of the human body by stimulating the lymphatic system of intestinal wall to produce cells for immunity, such as white blood cells, and helps to secrete antibiotics that form liquid barrier against harmful bacteria and contribute at the same time to strengthening the body's resistance to natural bacteria and providing a greater guarantee against infection which helps to rebalance the health of the intestines. He added that probiotics at the same time maintain the health of the urinary and reproductive systems where it work as an antidote for vaginal fungal infections (Candidiasis) and reduce the likelihood of recurrent urinary infections. It is worth mentioning that probiotics is scientifically proven and clinically important in the elimination of diarrhea and associated with antibiotic uses and reduces the problems caused by allergies against lactose. At the same time it improves the process of absorption of minerals by increasing the body's production of vitamins Probiotics Sources 1. Milk and yogurt, which need certain cooler degrees enough to keep it 2. Dietary supplements that contain probiotics as (Protexin) for children in the form of sachets and for adult in the form of capsules, which is characterized by its pharmaceutical form and can be kept at room temperature and provides the physicians with accurate and complete information about its contents.
