Antibiotics once made a real revolution in the world of medicine. They made it possible to fight diseases that were previously considered incurable. Over time, their ability to influence the pathogenic microflora has somewhat decreased, which is associated with an increase in the resistance of microbes, so it is important to preserve their ability to cure diseases without harming the body. For example, with the help of proper nutrition when taking antibiotics.
Antibiotics-antibacterials.net , in fact, are the products of the vital activity of the simplest microorganisms or their synthetic analogues. These substances cause death or inhibit the development of single-celled organisms (bacteria) that live and actively reproduce in the human body. It should be noted that among them there are both harmless and malicious varieties.
How to reduce the harm from the use of antibiotics
In order for the treatment with antibiotics to benefit the body exclusively, it is necessary to take care of reducing the possible harm from their use. To do this, it is important to follow the simple rules of admission:
- Antibacterial drugs should be prescribed exclusively by the attending physician, based on the conducted clinical studies. Self-medication in this matter is unacceptable);
- The prescribed course of antibiotics must be applied completely, if it is interrupted, the untreated infection will become resistant to the drug;
- Taking antibiotics (after consultation with the attending physician) should be combined with the use of vitamin complexes and antimycotic drugs;
- Antibiotics are not allowed to be taken with blood-thinning medications – this can lead to hemorrhages.
It is important to know that the use of antibiotics is effective only against bacterial and fungal infections, and against viruses (having a smaller size and more complex structure) they are powerless.
Therefore, taking antibiotics to treat most diseases of the upper respiratory tract may often not be justified, since they may have a viral origin.
It is quite difficult to distinguish a bacterial infection from a viral one by external symptoms. In some cases, additional laboratory tests may be necessary. However, if the bacterial nature of the disease is confirmed, the doctor still prescribes antibiotics.
But even if you take these medications in accordance with the instructions of your doctor, there is a risk of side effects. After all, antibiotics affect not only the pathogenic microflora, but also the useful one. As a result, a person can develop a number of unpleasant symptoms:
- Stool disorder (if diarrhea is severe, there is blood in the feces – you need to contact your doctor with a request to change the antibiotic or change its dosage);
- Candidiasis (yeast fungi found in the body in most people are usually at rest, but antibacterial therapy can provoke their “awakening”);
- Local reactions in the injection area (redness, swelling, itching, and inflammation of the walls of blood vessels);
- Lyell’s syndrome (a very severe allergic reaction from the skin, which can lead to death).
Rules of nutrition when taking antibiotics
If you have been prescribed a course of antibiotics, then you should clarify all the nuances of their reception. And a balanced diet plays an important role in preventing their possible negative effects on the body. If oral administration of antibiotics has been recommended, then you should be aware of the possible impact of individual foods on the effectiveness of antibacterial drugs, as well as their potential incompatibility.
When antibiotics enter the digestive tract, most of them are absorbed into the blood and spread throughout the body, exerting their therapeutic effect. However, with malabsorption or a decrease in the rate of passage of the drug through the digestive system, the effectiveness of the active substance is significantly reduced.
So, when eating very fatty foods (especially those containing saturated fats), most of the antibiotics are retained in the stomach. There they undergo certain changes and, getting into the intestine, no longer have the desired therapeutic effect.
The abuse of protein products also reduces the positive effects of the use of antibiotics. The protein not only binds incoming drugs, but also overloads the liver and kidneys. As a result, the beneficial intestinal microflora suffers, which is further affected by the use of antibacterial drugs.
However, reducing the amount of protein in the diet also reduces the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment, so moderate consumption of protein foods is encouraged.
It should also be noted the effect of acidic plant foods (containing organic acids) on the rate of absorption of antibacterial drugs. The effectiveness of such antibiotics as, for example, furadonin, increases. At the same time, other drugs, especially sensitive to the effects of acids, completely lose their medicinal properties (erythromycin, ampicillin). Therefore, it is recommended to carefully study the composition of medicines and (or) seek clarification from your doctor.
Doctors also insist on observing the correct time of taking antibiotics. Since all the food consumed in one way or another affects the degree of assimilation of medicines, it is recommended to take medicines an hour before a meal or three hours after it (unless otherwise specified in the instructions).
Wash down the antibiotics with clean water without gas. It is undesirable to use milk or other liquids.
Remember: it is strictly forbidden to combine antibacterial drugs with alcoholic beverages, since the latter significantly increase the likelihood of side effects and increase the load on the internal organs.