The wise use of antibiotics
The period of antibiotics has been a golden age in health care.
Before antibiotics, a simple cut or cold was serious and often life-threatening. Consumption (tuberculosis) was rampant and during World War I disease and infection (and not the battle wound itself) were the leading causes of death.
With the discovery of antibiotics our life expectancy increased by 8 years…we live longer and healthier lives.
But as we are now finding out, our indiscriminate and excessive use of antibiotics has contributed significantly to the rise of antibiotic resistant superbugs. After all, the name of the game is survival of the fittest, and it looks like the bugs are winning!
So while antibiotics are still reasonably effective, what can we do to make sure we use them as effectively as possible?
The 5 golden rules of the effective use of antibiotics
1. Only take antibiotics when prescribed by your doctor. Don’t be tempted to self-medicate when it comes to antibiotics. Many infections require a specific narrow-spectrum antibiotic to be effective. If you use the wrong antibiotic, you risk wiping out the good bacteria in your body and leaving the more virulent ones behind, while doing nothing to fight the infection!
two. When antibiotics are prescribed, take the full course of the drug. as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking them halfway through the course or skip a dose. It is important to eliminate the infection in your body as completely as possible.
3. Take your antibiotics according to all instructions. -for example, if the antibiotics are to be taken with food or to avoid alcohol, then it is important to do so.
Four. If at the end of your antibiotic treatment If you still find that your symptoms are not fully resolving, see your doctor again for further instructions; you may need to undergo additional treatment.
5. Understand that antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections.. They cannot fight viral infections like a cold or flu. So asking for antibiotics in the first few days of a cold or flu is counterproductive. However, if you find that your condition significantly worsens after a few days…it is advisable to visit your healthcare professional as you may have developed a secondary bacterial infection that will need to be treated with antibiotics.
So there you have it… the 5 Rules of Antibiotic Use.
Remember… Antibiotics are not effective against illnesses caused by viruses.
At the first sign of a cold or flu, it’s best to rest and drink plenty of fluids to help your body heal itself. Of course, if you’re concerned, see your doctor, but don’t be surprised if he doesn’t prescribe antibiotics!
Practical tip: hhelps restore your intestinal flora with acidophilus
When taking a course of antibiotics, it is also very smart to eat yogurt that contains Lacotbacillus acidophilus or a Lactobacillus acidophilus supplement every day, while on your antibiotic regimen.
You see, antibiotics are great for killing both the bad and good bacteria in your intestines (your gut) that can cause some not-so-nice symptoms: diarrhea, flatulence, an upset stomach, and yeast infections (read thrush here) that can occur just as easily in men as it does in women!).
Therefore, including acidophilus in your diet will encourage the growth of your natural intestinal flora and restore the natural balance within your intestine.