Orthosiphon staminate (Kidney tea) leaves 1.5 g x20

Orthosiphon stamen – kidney tea

In this article I will talk about a unique medicinal plant that is successfully used to treat many kidney diseases (and not only kidneys). We will talk about the orthosiphon staminate. Or, as it is also called, kidney tea.

Orthosiphon helps restore kidney function, relieves swelling, “cleanses the body” and “removes salts from the body” - chlorides, urea and uric acid. Improves the functioning of the gallbladder.

That is, this medicinal plant has multifaceted beneficial effects. But at the same time, modern doctors, for some obscure reasons, very rarely prescribe it to their patients. Most likely, many doctors simply “forgot” about orthosiphon.

You and I need to correct this injustice - let's “remember” this unique and very useful medicinal plant.

For what diseases does Orthosiphon stamen - kidney tea help:

Most manufacturers (or, more correctly, packagers of this herb) write that the main indications for the use of orthosiphon are:

• edema arising due to impaired renal function, or due to circulatory failure (cardiac edema);
• urolithiasis - sand and kidney stones;
• cholecystitis , cholelithiasis.

In my opinion, this list is unfairly incomplete. I have studied a lot of scientific literature on Orthosiphon stamen, in addition, I have been using it regularly for many years, and have been prescribing it to my patients for a long time.

And this is what I can add. In addition to the above diseases, orthosiphon helps with a variety of kidney diseases: for example, pyelonephritis and urinary tract infections

Often, orthosiphon also helps with kidney cysts - if the appearance of a cyst (or cysts) is caused by congestion in the kidneys, or hydronephrosis, or previous infectious and inflammatory diseases of the kidneys that were not completely cured or were treated incorrectly.

Very often, orthosiphon helps with cystitis. It also helps with gout - since orthosiphon enhances the excretion of uric acid from the body.

For some people, Orthosiphon helps to lose weight - albeit not very much, but using it can help you lose a couple of kilograms with health benefits.

Additionally, it can help treat hypertension. Very often, hypertension begins precisely because of poor kidney function. And in this case, orthosiphon helps restore kidney function and reduce high blood pressure.

And oddly enough, the use of orthosiphon helps many patients lower blood cholesterol levels.

Here is a rather large list of useful effects.

Does this medicinal plant have any disadvantages? — for example, any special side effects and contraindications?

There are VERY few of them.

Often, manufacturers generally write: Side effects - Not detected. Contraindications for use - Not identified.

But this, of course, is not entirely correct. In fact, there are contraindications, although they are few.

Contraindications to the use of Orthosiphon:

Hypersensitivity to the drug is rare, but if you have a negative reaction to the components of this plant, then it is better not to use it. And, of course, you do not need to take Orthosiphon if you are allergic to it. However, this rarely happens.

with caution in case of hypotension (low blood pressure). And also for gastritis with high acidity and stomach ulcers - since the use of orthosiphon can (infrequently) provoke increased secretion of gastric juice.

Side effects when using orthosiphon are very rare. But you still need to keep in mind that a very small percentage of patients may have allergies; and heartburn is also possible. In addition, you need to remember that orthosiphon can reduce blood pressure; This is good for hypertension, but not so good for hypotension and low blood pressure.

Is it possible to use orthosiphon to treat children? Some manufacturers write that it is possible. But some write that it should not be used by children under 12 years of age. So this question remains open.

Can Orthosiphon be used by pregnant women? And nursing? Here opinions also differ. Most often, manufacturers write that orthosiphon is not prohibited during pregnancy. And even useful. But only on the recommendation of a doctor, with a period of use of no more than 2-3 weeks.

However, recently an opinion has emerged that orthosiphon (kidney tea) is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. And this happened because under the name “Kidney Tea” they began to sell a variety of mixtures of herbs, many of which were actually prohibited during this period.

If we talk specifically about Orthosiphon stamen, and not about some other “kidney teas,” then during pregnancy and breastfeeding, orthosiphon can bring noticeable benefits. It helps to cope with swelling of the legs, which often occurs after the second trimester, eliminates bags under the eyes and improves the general condition of pregnant women.

However, remember the 2 most important rules for pregnant and lactating women: 1. Orthosiphon should be used with caution, strictly according to the instructions and, of course, under the supervision of your doctor! 2. When purchasing it, you need to make sure that you are purchasing Orthosiphon stamen, and not some other remedy, which is also referred to as “kidney tea”.

How to take Orthosiphon correctly for treatment:

You need to buy Orthosiphon stamen leaves, also known as Kidney tea, at the pharmacy. Let me remind you that when purchasing it, you need to make sure that you are purchasing Orthosiphon stamen, and not some other remedy, which is also referred to as “kidney tea.”

Orthosiphon can be sold in filter bags, or in bulk, in cardboard packaging. It can be used in both forms.

COOKING.

If you bought Orthosiphon in filter bags: 1 filter bag (1.5 g) should be placed in an enamel or glass container, pour 100 ml of boiling water (about half a glass), cover with a lid and leave for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, squeeze out the bag and throw it away. And add a little water to the resulting infusion to get the initial 100 ml (half a glass).

HOW TO DRINK: The resulting medicine is drunk warm. It is advisable to shake it a little before doing this. You need to take half a glass 2 times a day, about 20–30 minutes before meals. But it can also be done while eating.

If the medicine causes you a strong diuretic effect, do not drink it in the evening - so as not to get up at night to go to the toilet.

Duration of treatment is 2–3 weeks, maximum 4 weeks.

You don’t need to take it for more than 1 month in a row - then you need to take a break for at least 2-3 months. After which the course of treatment with orthosiphon - 2-4 weeks - can be repeated (in consultation with the doctor).

If you bought Orthosiphon NOT in filter bags: The package contains Orthosiphon stamen leaves, from which an infusion is made: 1-2 tablespoons of Orthosiphon leaves should be placed in an enamel or glass container, or even better - in a thermos.

Pour 200 ml (1 glass) of boiling water and leave for 15–30 minutes. Then strain, for example, through a tea strainer. The remaining raw leaves need to be squeezed out - using the same strainer.

As a result, you will get a little less than a glass of infusion. Now you need to add a little boiled water to this infusion - so that the total is exactly 1 glass of infusion.

Squeezed raw leaves should be thrown away and should not be reused.

Treatment with this infusion is carried out in the same way and in the same doses as in the first case - when using filter bags (see above).

Special instructions:

It is advisable to prepare an infusion of kidney tea for a maximum of 1 day. That is, it cannot be stored for a long time. As a last resort, the prepared infusion can be stored in a cool place for up to 48 hours, but not longer.

***

The author of the article is Dr. Evdokimenko©. Published 05/18/2019. Attention! When copying or reprinting materials, be sure to indicate the source! All articles, news and book chapters are protected by copyright P.V. Evdokimenko©

Urinary tract infection and the role of herbal remedies in its complex therapy

Urinary tract infection (UTI; synonyms: urinary system infection, urinary tract infection) is a collective term denoting an infectious-inflammatory process in the urinary system without indicating its location and nature of the course. Based on localization, infections of the lower urinary tract (cystitis, urethritis) and upper urinary tract (pyelonephritis, abscess and carbuncle of the kidney, apostematous pyelonephritis) are distinguished.

Based on the nature of the course, UTIs are divided into uncomplicated and complicated. Uncomplicated UTI usually develops in people without obstructive uropathy and structural changes in the kidneys and urinary tract, in the absence of underlying diseases. Complicated infections occur in patients with obstructive uropathy, urolithiasis, polycystic kidney disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), against the background of bladder catheterization and/or instrumental (invasive) research methods, as well as in patients with concomitant diseases such as diabetes diabetes, gout, other metabolic disorders.

Based on their occurrence, they distinguish between community-acquired (occurring in an outpatient setting) and nosocomial (developing after 48 hours of the patient’s hospital stay) UTIs. At least 40% of all nosocomial infections are caused by UTIs, caused in most cases by bladder catheterization [1–3].

Based on the severity of clinical manifestations, UTIs are often classified as afebrile (predominantly lower urinary tract infection), febrile (predominantly upper urinary tract infection), and asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB). BD is a bacteriological diagnosis that is established by examining urine collected with maximum sterility and delivered to the laboratory in the shortest possible time. According to the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), BD is isolated bacteriuria in a urine sample obtained under conditions that exclude contamination and in the absence of symptoms of urinary infection [4]. The diagnosis of BD can be made:

• if in two consecutive urine tests in women without clinical signs of UTI, the same strain of microorganisms was isolated in an amount of ≥ 105 CFU/ml;
• if in a urine test in men without UTI symptoms a bacterial strain was isolated once in an amount of ≥ 105 CFU/ml;
• if in a urine test obtained during catheterization, in both men and women, a bacterial strain was isolated in an amount of ≥ 102 CFU/ml.

In the structure of infectious morbidity, UTI ranks second, second only to respiratory infections. Among the adult population, women are 30–50 times more likely than men to suffer from a UTI, and up to 60% of women will experience an episode of a UTI during their lifetime. In every fourth patient in this age group, UTI recurs within a year [5]. In elderly and senile age, the frequency of UTIs in women and men is gradually becoming equal, which is due to the development of BPH in almost 100% of cases, which disrupts urodynamics. In general, UTIs, including pyelonephritis, are reported significantly more often in women than in men. The prevalence of UTI in the pediatric population is 20–22 cases per 1000 children and, over the age of one year, occurs in girls tens of times more often than in boys.

In the structure of nosocomial infections, the share of UTIs can reach 40%.

Etiology

The main causative agents of UTIs are gram-negative bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family, and of them predominantly Escherichia coli (E. coli). In uncomplicated UTIs, E. coli and other representatives of the Enterobacteriaceae family account for up to 90–95% of all cases, while in complicated UTIs, the share of E. coli in the etiological structure decreases to 30–50% and Proteus spp., Pseudomonas spp. are much more common. , Klebsiella spp., mushrooms (mainly Candida albicans). A feature of complicated UTIs is a large proportion of microbial associations in the etiological structure (Table 1).

UTI treatment

The mainstay of treatment for UTI is antibiotic therapy. As with other bacterial infections, the sensitivity of pathogens to antibiotics is critical when choosing a drug for empirical treatment of UTI. Uncomplicated UTIs are most treatable.

One of the most commonly used drugs for the treatment of UTIs are fluoroquinolones (levofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, pefloxacin, etc.), which are indicated in many international guidelines as the drugs of choice in the treatment of UTIs. However, there is currently a rapid increase in the resistance of uropathogenic E. coli to drugs in this group. It is believed that when the level of resistance in the population is more than 10%, restrictions on the use of drugs are introduced. In Russia, the level of resistance of uropathogenic E. coli to fluoroquinolones, according to various studies, ranges from 4.3% to 12.9%, averaging about 7–8% [1, 2, 6, 7].

For the treatment of UTIs in pregnant women and children, as well as in other categories of patients with intolerance to fluoroquinolones, the drugs of choice are amoxicillin/clavulanate, cephalosporins of the second and third generations, fosfomycin trometamol, nitrofurantoin [8]. The advantage of using amoxicillin/clavulanate is not only its high activity against E. coli (the level of resistance is lower than for fluoroquinolones), but also the absence of teratogenic effects, which makes its use possible in the first trimester of pregnancy [9, 10].

The effectiveness and safety of the use of third generation cephalosporins in children and pregnant women in the treatment of uncomplicated and complicated UTIs has been proven [7]. A distinctive feature of third generation cephalosporins is their high activity against microorganisms of the Enterobacteriaceae family, resistance to the action of beta-lactamases, and a long half-life [11].

The use of nalidixic acid and nitrofurantoins has certain disadvantages due to the need to use these drugs 3–4 times a day, as well as the weak activity of nitrofurantoin against Proteus spp., and nalidixic acid against S. saprophyticus [12].

The duration of antibiotic therapy depends on the characteristics of the UTI. As a rule, in the absence of risk factors, antibiotic therapy is prescribed for 3–5 days for acute lower urinary tract infection, and for 10–14 days for upper urinary tract infection. For acute complicated UTI or in the presence of risk factors, the same antimicrobial drugs are used as for uncomplicated UTI, but the duration of therapy is increased to 7–14 days or more [13].

A feature of the treatment of UTIs in childhood is longer antibacterial therapy compared to adults with a mandatory course of anti-relapse treatment.

An important problem in the treatment of both complicated and uncomplicated UTI is antibiotic resistance. Thus, there is a high frequency of resistance of community-acquired E. coli strains to ampicillin (uncomplicated infections - 37%, complicated - 46%) and co-trimoxazole (uncomplicated infections - 21%, complicated - 30%), therefore these drugs are not recommended for use as drugs of choice for the treatment of UTIs [8]. In addition, microorganisms that have colonized the uroepithelium are capable of producing polymeric substances, creating a biofilm, into which the entry of antibiotics and mucosal protective factors is difficult. This allows them to “escape” the immune response and largely determines resistance to antibacterial drugs [14, 15].

Therefore, despite the successes in the creation of new antibacterial drugs, the treatment of UTIs, especially complicated and recurrent ones, remains an urgent task, often requiring the prescription of a combination of drugs or their sequential change, long-term anti-relapse courses. This inevitably leads to an increase in the incidence of adverse drug reactions of therapy, and also forms a vicious circle, since frequent and long-term use of antibiotics leads to an increase in the population of microflora resistant to them.

In recent decades, there has been a significant revival of interest in herbal medicine as a component of complex therapy for UTIs. The medicinal properties of plants were well known to ancient doctors; traditional medicine of almost all nations and countries uses them to treat various diseases. The effect of herbal medicines in the framework of modern research appears to us in a new light, primarily from the point of view of overcoming antibiotic resistance and the ability to destroy microbial biofilm on the mucous membrane of the urinary tract.

In the complex therapy of UTIs, herbal medicines are used that have anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and hemostatic effects, which is important in the development of hematuria.

Herbal preparations can be used as separate infusions or herbal preparations. Components of various plants are also included in the composition of industrial medicines.

The most widely used medicinal plants for UTI are presented in Table. 2, and are also described below [16, 17].

Goldenrod (life-giving herb, heartwood) is widely used in folk medicine in various countries. In Germany, goldenrod infusion is recommended primarily for chronic inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract, crystalluria and urolithiasis, as a diuretic. Goldenrod herb preparations have a hypoazotemic effect. Goldenrod grass contains flavonoids, saponins, organic acids and essential oils that contribute to the destruction of bacterial cell membranes, carotene, ascorbic and nicotinic acids.

Bearberry (bear ears) - contains arbutin, which is broken down in the body into hydroquinone (an antiseptic that has an antibacterial effect in the urinary tract) and glucose. Used in the form of decoctions (30 g per 500 ml) 2 tablespoons 5-6 times a day. Bearberry exhibits its effect in an alkaline environment, so taking the decoction should be combined with ingesting alkaline mineral waters (Borjomi) and soda solutions. To alkalize urine, use apples, pears, and raspberries.

Horsetail - has anti-inflammatory, diuretic and hemostatic effects. Used for UTI, crystalluria and urolithiasis. Due to the high content of silicon compounds, decoctions, infusions and extracts of horsetail have a pronounced healing and vascular strengthening effect, promote the dissolution of salt crystals in the urine, and accelerate the removal of lead from the body.

Lingonberry leaves have antimicrobial and diuretic effects. The latter is due to the presence of hydroquinone in lingonberry leaves. Used as a decoction (2 tablespoons per 1.5 cups of water). Prescribed 2 tablespoons 5-6 times a day. Just like bearberry, it works better in an alkaline environment.

Knotweed (knotweed) - contains avicularin glycoside, tannins, essential oil, carotene, ascorbic acid. Used as a diuretic, hemostatic and astringent. Has an antispasmodic effect on the urinary tract. Widely used in folk medicine and is part of various herbs.

Garden parsley is rich in flavonoids and essential oils. It has a direct effect on the renal tubules, thereby achieving a diuretic effect. It has an antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscles of the urinary tract and blood vessels.

Lovage officinalis (love potion) - mainly the roots of the plant are used for medical purposes. Contains essential oils, organic acids, coumarin, tannins. It has a pronounced diuretic and antibacterial effect. Used for inflammation of the urinary tract, gastrointestinal disorders. As a rule, it is part of combination drugs and fees.

Creeping wheatgrass contains essential oils, saponins, inulin, ascorbic acid, carotene. It has a diuretic effect due to inulin, essential oil provides antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Cranberry juice, fruit drink (contains sodium benzoate) - has an antiseptic effect (synthesis in the liver from benzoate of hippuric acid increases, which, when excreted in the urine, causes a bacteriostatic effect). Take 2–4 glasses per day.

Forest pine - essential (turpentine) pine oil has a pronounced bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and diuretic effect.

For chronic and recurrent urinary tract infections, various herbal mixtures are used. They are prescribed, as a rule, for a long period, alternating mainly bactericidal and diuretic preparations. However, self-treatment with medicinal plants is fraught with some dangers. Components of many medicinal plants in large dosages can be potentially toxic and have a pathological effect on the functioning of individual organs. Therefore, from a safety point of view, in the complex treatment of UTIs, preference is given to factory-produced drugs, the correct dosage of which ensures high efficiency while maintaining complete safety.

One of the most widely used herbal medicines for the treatment of UTIs is Phytolysin. Phytolysin contains an extract of a mixture of plants (goldenrod, horsetail, wheatgrass, knotweed, birch leaves, lovage, wheatgrass, parsley, sage oil, mint, pine and orange, fenugreek seeds), due to which it has a diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic effect, reduces crystal formation , promotes the dissolution of crystals and stones and their excretion in the urine.

The drug is in the form of a paste for preparing a suspension, which makes it easy to dosage and use. Adults are prescribed 1 teaspoon of paste orally, dissolved in 1/2 glass of warm sweet water, 3-4 times a day after meals. Phytolysin can be used in the complex treatment of UTIs together with antibiotics or after their use at the stage of anti-relapse therapy. The drug is widely used as a prophylactic for chronic inflammation of the urinary tract. The course of therapy with Phytolysin is 2–6 weeks and can be extended if necessary.

The effectiveness of medicinal plants in the treatment of UTIs has been proven by centuries of experience among the peoples of the world. Modern combined herbal medicines, such as Fitolysin, occupy an important place in the complex therapy of UTIs and make it possible to increase the effectiveness of antibacterial therapy by overcoming the pathogen's resistance to antibiotics, shorten courses of antibiotic therapy, and reduce the frequency of adverse drug reactions of their use.

Literature

1. Gales AC, Jones RN, Gordon KA et al. Activity and spectrum of 22 antimicrobial agents tested against urinary tract infection pathogens in hospitalized patients in Latin America: report from the second year of the SENTRY antimicrobial surveillance program (1998) // J Antimicrob Chemother. 2000; 45:295–303.
2. Mazzuli T. Resistance trends in urinary tract pathogens and impact on management // J Urol. 2002; 168:1720–1722.
3. Ruden H., Gastmeier P., Dascher FD, Schumacher M. Nosocomial and community-acquired infections in Germany. Summary of the results of the First National Prevalence Study (NIDEP) // Infection. 1997; 25: 199–202.
4. Nicolle L.E., Bradley S., Colgan R. et al. Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in adults // Clin Infect Dis. 2005; 40: 643–654.
5. Lindsay EN Managing recurrent urinary tract infections in women // Women's Health. 2005; July, 1: 39–50.
6. Gridnev O. V. Clinical and pharmacological aspects of rational antibiotic therapy for urinary tract infections (clinical and economic multicenter study). M., 2006. P. 124.
7. Rafalsky V.V., Dovgan E.V., Ostroumova M.V. et al. Cefixime: clinical pharmacology and place in the treatment of urinary tract infections and gonococcal infections in women // Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2008, No. 6, p. 70–74.
8. Practical guide to antimicrobial chemotherapy. Ed. L. S. Strachunsky, Yu. B. Belousov, S. N. Kozlov M.: Borges, 2002; With. 384.
9. Sweet RL Bacteriuria and pyelonephritis during pregnancy // Semin. Perinatol. 1977. No. 1. R. 25–40.
10. Pasechnikov S.P., Ventskovskaya I.B., Nikitin O.D, Zagorodnyaya A.S. Modern approaches to the treatment of urinary tract infections in pregnant women // Medical aspects of women's health. 2012, No. 2 (53), p. 13–18.
11. Forti IN Medicina (B. Aires). 1994, pp. 439–458.
12. Moiseev S.V. Practical recommendations for antibacterial therapy and prevention of urinary tract infections from the perspective of evidence-based medicine // Infections and antimicrobial therapy. 2003, vol. 5, no. 3.
13. Maringhini S., Corrado C., Leone F., Pavone G. Controversies in the antimicrobial treatment of urinary tract infections // J Chemother. 2006, May; 18 Spec no 3: 16–20.
14. Bondarenko V. M. The role of opportunistic bacteria in chronic inflammatory processes of various localizations. Tver: Triad, 2011.
15. Erman M.V. Herbal medicine in the treatment of urinary system infections in children // Effective pharmacotherapy. 2014, no. 2 (16), p. 18–22.
16. Okorokov A. N. Treatment of diseases of internal organs: A practical guide. Volume 2. Minsk, 1997, 360 p.
17. Lavrenova G.V., Lavrenov V.K., Onipko V.D. For all diseases (medicinal plants of fields and forests). Directory. Donetsk: MP "Fatherland", 1994, 523 p.

A. V. Malkoch1, Candidate of Medical Sciences N. N. Filatova, Candidate of Medical Sciences

GBOU DPO RMAPO Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow

1 Contact information

How to protect your immune system and recover from COVID-19?

Kamila Tuychieva

Head of the reception department of the K+31 clinic, general practitioner

– In the spring, many people notice a loss of strength and fatigue. As a rule, this is due to sun deficiency after the winter months and a lack of vitamins. As a rule, proper nutrition, vitamin complexes according to indications, breathing practices, moderate physical activity and good sleep help strengthen the immune system in this case.

It is more difficult for those who have recently suffered a coronavirus infection, which affects many vital organs and systems. Unfortunately, these are not only the lungs, but also the brain, cardiovascular, central nervous system, etc. Therefore, doctors often identify post-Covid symptoms such as asthenia, anxiety, muscle pain, muscle weakness, hair loss and others .

In each individual case, these symptoms vary in duration and severity. It all depends on how the disease progressed, how the person eats, what kind of immunity he has, and whether he leads an active or passive lifestyle. Each specific patient who has recovered from COVID-19 and has post-Covid symptoms is given certain recommendations from doctors for rehabilitation after coronavirus. The doctor will also recommend vitamins after Covid. Recovery from coronavirus occurs individually, but there are several universal recommendations on how to recover from coronavirus as an adult.

Recommendations for recovery from COVID-19

Asthenia

COVID-19, affecting the central nervous system, also causes asthenia, a condition accompanied by weakness, lethargy, and general malaise. Those who have recovered from coronavirus infection in severe and moderate form require mandatory comprehensive rehabilitation under the supervision of experienced specialists. One of the components of this rehabilitation is therapeutic exercises, which help with muscle pain, muscle weakness, and also stimulate respiratory function.

Anxiety and irritability

After treatment, feelings of anxiety, irritability, aggression or depression may persist. In this case, you should seek the help of a qualified psychologist, especially if the changes affect the quality of life and interaction with others.

Hair loss

The transferred coronavirus can also provoke the occurrence of so-called diffuse alopecia - this is when uniform hair loss is observed. In severe cases, rapid loss occurs, and in milder cases, with greater frequency than usual. The exact data still varies, but, according to some experts, hair follicles do not die, but only fall asleep, so it is possible to restore hair thickness if you consult a qualified doctor who will prescribe the correct treatment.

How to boost immunity after coronavirus?

COVID-19 is far from the only viral disease that requires long-term recovery. For example, rehabilitation after infectious mononucleosis, herpes viral infections takes a long time, even severe forms of habitual sore throat, influenza or ARVI sometimes leave unpleasant consequences. Moreover, long-term recovery after coronavirus is usually associated not only with the virus itself, but also with the individual immunological characteristics of the body.

To strengthen the immune system in the spring, we can recommend measures that are aimed at the general rehabilitation of the body. But before doing anything, it is advisable to consult with your doctor.

For those who have recently suffered from coronavirus, such a consultation is necessary, because a specialist will select an individual rehabilitation program and tell you what vitamins to take after Covid. If the coronavirus infection is severe, comprehensive medical care may be required with the involvement of highly specialized specialists - a cardiologist, pulmonologist and others.

Balanced diet

• It is advisable to exclude sweets, confectionery, and yeast products. Replace baked goods made from premium flour with bread made from durum wheat and whole grains.
• It is useful to eat sprouted grains - they are a storehouse of nutrients.
• It is recommended to replace dairy products (milk and cottage cheese) with lactose-free products during the recovery period; you can drink plant-based milk. This is explained by the fact that coronavirus infection usually affects older people. As you age, your body has a harder time digesting dairy products because the older you are, the less enzymes you can produce that are needed to digest lactose. In addition, after an illness, the human body is weakened, so it does not need extra stress on the digestive system.

7 myths about milk and which of them are true? Read HERE

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• Meat, poultry, fish. Remember that white meats (rabbit, turkey breast) are better digestible than red ones. If you are not allergic, eat fish. Use green vegetables as a side dish.
• Vegetables. Limit vegetables from the nightshade family (potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes).
• Include foods rich in vitamins C and D in your menu. Vitamin D during coronavirus is a powerful immunoregulator, and C can strengthen the barrier function of the respiratory system. Oranges, black currants, and cranberries are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin D can be obtained from appropriate dietary supplements - up to 50 micrograms of vitamin D per day is required. Vitamins are a good way to restore the body after a mild form of coronavirus.

How to take vitamin D correctly - HERE

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• Coffee can cause an allergic reaction; it is recommended to replace it with chicory, fireweed, green or black tea.

The main principle of nutrition during the recovery period after Covid is to leave the table with a slight feeling of hunger. In addition, try to eat often (5-6 times a day) and in small portions. Don't eat at night! The fact is that the intestinal immunity “switches on” in the evening and at night, and digestive enzymes are most active in the morning.

Take care of restoring intestinal microflora. Antibiotics can also be used in the treatment of coronavirus infection; the intestinal microflora suffers from this. Therefore, it is important to correct intestinal dysbiosis with probiotics and prebiotics (plant fibers).

Physical activity

The simplest and most accessible type of physical activity for most is daily walks. Start with half-hour leisurely walks. Then gradually increase the time and pace of walking. It also wouldn’t hurt to ask your doctor to choose a set of exercises for you that you can do at home if the weather outside is not very good.

Diseases of the bile and hepatic ducts and their manifestations

Causes of diseases of the bile ducts:

• parasites;
• tumors of the mucous membrane and submucosal layer;
• heterogeneous consistency of bile;
• damage to the duct by calcifications.

The main risk group is women, because they are more likely than men to experience hormonal problems and suffer from excess weight.

Blocked ducts

Most often, the ducts become blocked due to cholelithiasis. Obstruction can also be caused by a tumor, inflammation of the walls of the ducts, a cyst, helminthic infestation, or a bacterial infection. Narrowing of the ducts (strictures)

The main reason for this pathology is a previous operation to remove the gallbladder or tumor, cyst in the duct. Inflammation persists for a long time after surgery, which leads to narrowing. The patient loses appetite, experiences pain in the right side, and his body temperature rises.

Screeds and scars

The walls of the duct are replaced by scar tissue due to inflammation caused by sclerosing cholangitis. As a result, the outflow of bile is disrupted, it is absorbed into the blood and stagnates in the gallbladder. There are no symptoms, but as the disease progresses, liver cells die.

Swelling

The walls of the bile ducts become denser due to catarrhal inflammation. In this case, overcrowding of the blood vessels occurs, the mucous membrane of the duct swells, leukocytes accumulate on the walls, and the epithelium exfoliates. Often this disease becomes chronic. At the same time, he constantly experiences discomfort in the right side, he is tormented by nausea, and vomiting occurs.

Cholelithiasis

Stones in the biliary system are formed due to stagnation of bile in the gallbladder and disruption of cholesterol metabolism. For treatment, medications are prescribed, under the influence of which the stones leave the gallbladder through the ducts. The patient feels a stabbing, cutting pain in the right side. A large stone may partially or completely block the duct. This is called gallbladder spasm. Its symptoms are pain, nausea, vomiting.

Tumors and metastases in cancer

Klatskin tumor is often found in older patients with biliary problems. In 50% of cases, a malignant tumor forms in the common bile duct. If left untreated, metastases appear, affecting regional lymph nodes, pancreas, and liver. The disease can be detected at an early stage if the symptoms are not ignored: pain in the right hypochondrium, which radiates to the neck and shoulder blade.

Parasites

Trematodes, Giardia, and flukes may appear in the gallbladder and ducts. They cause chronic inflammation of the walls of the gallbladder and disrupt the contractile function of the ducts.

Free or paid treatment?

Dyskinesia

With this disease, the consistency of contraction of the walls of the gallbladder and its ducts is disrupted. As a result, bile enters the duodenum in deficiency or excess, which disrupts the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Cholangitis

Inflammation of the bile ducts occurs when they become blocked or liver secretions become infected with bacteria. There are three types of inflammation:

• acute, occurring unexpectedly - a person has a headache, the skin turns yellow, a stabbing pain appears in the right hypochondrium, which radiates to the shoulder and neck;
• chronic – mild pain on the right side, increased body temperature, bloating of the upper abdomen;
• sclerosing - there are no symptoms, and if left untreated, liver failure develops, which cannot be cured.

Extension

Most often it occurs due to increased contractility of the walls of the gallbladder. There are other reasons - blockage of the common duct with a tumor or stone, improper functioning of the sphincters. As a result, the pressure in the biliary system increases and the ducts expand.

Biliary atresia

This is a blockage or absence of the bile ducts. The disease is found in newborns. The child's skin becomes yellow-green, the urine darkens, and the feces become white-gray. If the pathology is not treated, the child will not live more than one and a half years.