bacteria normally present in the intestinal tract. Some are responsible for the synthesis of *vitamin K. By producing a highly acidic environment in the intestine they may also prevent infection by pathogenic bacteria that cannot tolerate such conditions.
(Latin) Resembling a flower; in mythology, the goddess of flowers Fleur, Flor, Flori, Floria, Floressa, Floretta, Floriana, Florida, Florinda, Florita, Florrie, Florella, Floramaria, Flordelis, Flo, Florette, Florian, Floriane, Floriann, Florianna, Florice, Florka, Florinia, Flower, Fleurette, Fiorella, Fiorenza, Firenze, Floris, Flos, Floss, Flossie, Floy, Fjola, Forenza... flora
colonization of the small intestine with excessive concentrations of bacteria. Patients experience nausea, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and symptoms of *malabsorption. Diagnosis is made by identifying bacteria in cultures of small bowel aspirates obtained during endoscopy or by glucose hydrogen breath testing, in which a high concentration of hydrogen in the breath after swallowing glucose indicates bacterial overgrowth. Risk factors include previous abdominal surgery, motility disorders (such as systemic sclerosis), anatomical disruption (such as diverticula, strictures, adhesions, or fistulae), diabetes mellitus, coeliac disease, and Crohn’s disease. Management involves treatment of the underlying condition, nutritional support, and cyclical antibiotics.... small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
Health Encyclopedia