Friday, March 4, 2011

What Are Fecal Transplants?

This is stool bacteria, the kind that gets injected from someone else's gut into yours if you suffer from ulcerative colitis. (Wkipedia image)

Ulcerative colitis (Wikipedia image)
Well, we've all heard of transplants like whose involving the heart, liver, kidneys, and even the face, but have you heard of fecal transplants? Of course by the term itself you already have an idea what's involved. Yes, it's feces, otherwise known as stool and in other more crass terminology used in the expression of dismay or disgust.

Fecal transplants involve transferring of fecal material from a donor to a patient. The patient usually suffers from pseudomembranous colitis, otherwise known as ulcerative colitis. The introduction of fecal material from one person to the gut of another is supposed to bring back normal levels of bacterial flora that are beneficial to the digestive system. Fecal transplants involve enemas or the introduction of fluids into the intestines. But unlike the regular enema done through the anus, fecal transplants sometimes use a nasogastric instrument. Instead of your behind, this goes into your nose and down your esophagus.

Fecal transplants are done several times until the patient is well. The procedure is also known as fecal bacteriotherapy, fecal transfusion, and human probiotic infusion. That last definition is the most ear-friendly of all. Oh if you're wondering, donors are usually relatives who are healthy. So, if you are ever lined up to receive the procedure, you don't have to worry about where the hospital is sourcing the feces. But to save you from all this trouble, why not just drink Yakult first and see what happens?

Why Brush Your Tongue?

Tell the world that you have a "very crabby stomach!" If for some reason you need to, then this Peanuts tin poster will do just fine. Click here or on the image to order your official Peanuts Crabby Stomach Tin Sign today.

1 comment:

maxcomputer said...