Canadian doctors reported a 50-year-old patient suffering from the rare “autobrewery syndrome.” Its development could have been caused by taking antibiotics and medications for gastritis.
The case was described in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. According to doctors, antibiotics, or more precisely, the consequences of taking them, formed colonies of yeast in the woman’s intestines that absorb sugar and convert it into ethyl alcohol.
What is Autobrewery Syndrome?
Gut fermentation syndrome is a rare condition in which endogenous fermentation produces intoxicating amounts of ethanol in the digestive system. A person constantly feels drunk, despite completely abstaining from alcohol. We are talking about drowsiness, slurred speech, loss of coordination of movements.
As for the described patient, the alcohol content in her blood ranged from 30 to 62 mmol/l – with the norm being up to 2 mmol/l.
It turned out that the woman had been treated for genitourinary infections for several years systems. She was taking the antibiotics nitrofurantoin and ciprofloxacin.
In addition, the patient had gastritis, which she also treated with pills.
The combination of drugs (together with the genetic characteristics of the body) created a favorable environment in the intestines for the emergence and development of yeast colonies. They actively absorbed the sugar entering the body, converting it into alcohol.
The woman was treated with antifungal drugs. A diet that reduces carbohydrates and increases protein is also indicated. Sugar is converted into alcohol, so any diet that reduces its amount reduces the amount of alcohol that can be obtained from it.
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Important! Information is provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first signs of illness, consult a doctor.