Side effects of antibiotics

 Side effects of antibiotics

Has your doctor prescribed an antibiotic to fight an illness? The last thing you need is side effects! Unfortunately, we have all experienced stomach pain or discomfort during antibiotic treatment. If we are very unlucky, we might even get a new infection right after finishing our drug. Why? Antibiotics are powerful products. And they can cause numerous adverse effects in our body if we do not use them correctly. Allergic reactions and digestive problems can become a "real nightmare" in some cases. Do you want to know how to detect and avoid them? You have come to the right place!

The most important

 Antibiotics are drugs capable of destroying harmful bacteria. But also beneficial microorganisms (the “flora”).

 Antibiotics can damage our tissues and cause severe allergic reactions. Its main side effect is intestinal discomfort (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea).

 Probiotics could prevent and treat the appearance of side effects during the use of antibiotics. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before taking these products.

All about Antibiotic Side Effects

Antibiotics are very useful drugs, but they are not without their side effects. These substances can affect tissues throughout your body. Or even lead to hypersensitivity reactions. However, the most likely adverse events are usually gastrointestinal. Probiotics might be helpful in preventing some of these events.

What are antibiotics and why do they cause side effects?

Antibiotics are substances capable of destroying bacteria. Modern medicine uses these drugs often. It uses them to treat infections that could otherwise seriously affect our health. There is a wide variety of different antibiotics. We can find them in the form of capsules, powder, syrups and injectables However, antibiotics can cause side effects. These substances are not harmless and, when interacting with our body, they can cause allergic reactions. Also irritation, inflammation or damage to our tissues. In addition, these drugs could eliminate the "good" bacteria that inhabit our bodies (our microbiota). As a consequence, we would not become vulnerable to new infections 

What are the main side effects of antibiotics?

Have you been prescribed an antibiotic? If you follow your doctor's instructions, chances are you'll finish treatment without any problems. However, on certain occasions adverse reactions to these drugs may appear. We can classify them taking into account their repercussions on the different tissues of our body: affected tissue Types of Side Effects*

Sangre Anemia

Reduced number of white blood cells (defensive cells)

Problems with blood clotting (except for the defect)

nervous system and

muscles

Muscle pains

tremors

seizures

muscle paralysis

Encephalopathy (severe impairment of brain function)

Deafness

Blindness

Lungs

Mild respiratory problems (cough, irritation)

Severe breathing problems (difficulty breathing, permanent lung

damage)

Heart

arrhythmias

Blood pressure problems (hypotension or hypertension)

Digestive system

bowel upset

nausea

vomiting

diarrhea

Secondary infections

Clostridium difficile infection

liver and pancreas Liver injuries

Cholestasis (obstruction to the passage of bile)

inflammation of the pancreas

Kidneys

Kidney damage (temporary)

Kidney damage (permanent)

Outside this classification, there are other more non-specific adverse effects. For example, the appearance of skin spots, vaginal infections and sensitivity to sunlight. Also joint pain and tendon rupture. Nor should we forget hypersensitivity reactions. In these cases, our body recognizes the antibiotic

as a foreign substance, which may appear :

 Fever.

 Alterations of the blood (anemia, problems with the defenses and destruction of the cells responsible for coagulation).

 “ Rash ” or rash (the skin turns reddish, appearing inflammation and generalized itching).

 Anaphylactic reaction (severe allergic reaction to the antibiotic, with difficulty breathing, generalized swelling of the tongue and lips, and drop in blood pressure. Urgent medical attention required). Fortunately, most antibiotic side effects are mild if used correctly. And they disappear once we finish our treatment. The most common adverse reactions will be, by far, gastrointestinal

How do antibiotics affect my intestinal well-being?

Antibiotics have the ability to impair your gut health in several ways. For one thing, these drugs can directly injure the lining of your stomach and intestine. On the other hand, antibiotics can destroy your intestinal “flora”. As a result, you will be left unprotected against the invasion of harmful bacteria. Fortunately, many people will not experience any gastrointestinal discomfort during their antibiotic treatment. Others, however, 

may notice how their stomach "sores" after taking these drugs. Cramps, nausea, and even vomiting and diarrhea may appear. These side effects can last up to two weeks after treatment ends. In some cases, the use of antibiotics can favor the infection of our intestinal tract by Clostridium difficile . An aggressive and difficult to treat bacteria. This "invader" can cause severe diarrhea and inflammation of the digestive tract. C. difficile infection could be life-threatening, requiring urgent medical attention

How can I avoid the side effects of antibiotics?

Use antibiotics only when necessary. Never take these medications on your own (and don't give them to your children!). Remember that antibiotics do not work to treat viral infections (such as the flu). And they can only be used with a prescription after being prescribed by a specialist.

Comply with your treatment. Many people stop taking their antibiotic as soon as they feel better. This act is apparently "innocent". However, it could cause bacteria that have not been killed to become resistant to the drug. To destroy them, more powerful antibiotics will need to be used. And with a higher probability of generating side effects.

Consult your doctor if doubts arise. Do you think the antibiotic is not having

an effect on you? Has discomfort started to appear? Forgot a dose? Before making hasty decisions, it is recommended that you go to your doctor. He or she will give you the proper guidelines to continue your treatment safely. And they will help you if side effects appear

Probiotics May Prevent Antibiotic- Associated Diarrhea

Using a probiotic during and after antibiotic treatment could reduce the chance of diarrhea in sensitive people. Also, in these studies, probiotics were found to be safe. And they did not cause notable adverse effects  . Unfortunately, probiotic supplements do not appear to decrease the likelihood of other complications associated with antibiotic use. For example, vaginal candidiasis. For the moment, these products would only favor the restoration of the intestinal flora.

Not all probiotics are created equal

Not all probiotics have been shown to be able to exert a positive effect during antibiotic treatment. Actually, there are few strains (“families” of microorganisms) that experts consider to be effective in preventing and treating antibiotic-associated diarrhea. According to the literature, Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG are the probiotics that have shown greater effectiveness in strengthening our microbiota after antibiotic treatment. To be effective, they must be taken with a dose of at least 5×10  9  CFU (5 billion Colony Forming Units) 

Taking probiotics and antibiotics at the same time, a bad idea?

If you take your probiotic and your antibiotic at the same time, it is possible that the drug destroys not only the germs that "invade" you. But also to the "newcomers" probiotics. take the antibiotic two hours before or two hours after (at least) the probiotic. However, some manufacturers of probiotic supplements insist that their product can be taken at the same time as the antibiotic. This would simplify the treatment much more and avoid forgetfulness. If you're not sure if your probiotic is able to “resist” the actions of your antibiotic, ask your doctor or pharmacist

Probiotics could delay the recovery of your microbiota

An interesting 2018 study found that taking probiotics alongside antibiotics could paradoxically delay the recovery of our microbiota. The spontaneous recovery of our beneficial bacteria could be "disturbed" by adding a probiotic. Therefore, we should exercise caution when using these supplements.

The verdict: probiotics that adapt to your needs

On the one hand, probiotics are affordable and safe supplements. They could reduce the chance of diarrhea occurring during antibiotic use. In this way, they would keep the fearsome C. difficile away . On the other hand, these supplements could make your recovery take longer than necessary. What a dilemma! In favor of probiotics Against probiotics They can prevent the onset of antibiotic- associated diarrhea They could delay the recovery of the microbiota May reduce the chance of C. 

difficile infection Unproven effectiveness on vaginal microbiota imbalances Accesible price Not all strains are suitable Few or no side effects in healthy people Possibility of side effects in sick or immunosuppressed people (“with low defenses”) Are you a healthy person who does not usually suffer from complications with antibiotics? So, you could “cut out” the probiotics. However, if you often experience gastrointestinal discomfort during drug treatment, these supplements may help. Discuss with your doctor if a probiotic is the most suitable option for you. You will not regret!

Resume

Antibiotics are a wonder of modern medicine. These drugs allow us to fight against bacterial infections. They destroy germs that would otherwise threaten our lives. However, antibiotics are also capable of causing side effects and allergic reactions that can be serious. You should use antibiotics exclusively under medical prescription. And comply with the instructions of the experts.  of serious adverse effects appearing. probiotics to prevent antibiotics from damaging your delicate gut "flora." Ask your doctor if you want to try them! If thanks to this article you have better understood the side effects of