The influence of antibiotics. How to protect the body from the harmful effects of antibiotics

Antibiotics with a wide spectrum of action is a concept that has become very firmly established in the everyday life of modern man. Each of us simply cannot imagine our lives without these drugs. But, despite this, in our society there are a huge number of diametrically opposed points of view on the issue of antibiotics: about how and when they should be used, and about how they affect the human body, and do they harm it?

Benefit or harm?

The answers to the above questions can be reduced to two opposites. There is a group of people who are sure that antibiotics are an extremely dangerous substance, synthesized chemically and negatively affecting the state of the human body, causing significant damage to its immunity, digestive organs and microflora of the gastrointestinal tract. According to them, our defense forces must independently cope with the causative agents of a wide variety of diseases, without external intervention and the use of antibiotics.

Their opponents are sure of the opposite, they believe that antibiotics are a real panacea. Such people always have several different types of drugs of this type in their home medicine cabinet, and they begin to take them immediately after the first signs of malaise appear.

Neither one nor the other point of view can be considered absolutely correct. It is safe to say that the common cold will pass without antibiotics, but pneumonia without them is very difficult to cure. Previously, when our ancestors did not know about antibiotics, many ailments became the cause of death, but now they can be cured in a couple of days. This obvious fact should not be denied. It is also always worth remembering that it is thanks to the achievements of man, including in the field of medicine, that he began to live longer and more comfortably.

Operating principle. Classification

Antibiotics affect only the processes occurring in the cells of a pathogenic microorganism, they are not able to affect human cells. These drugs have a strict classification depending on the effect they have on vital functions.

Some of the antibiotics are designed to suppress the synthesis of the outer membrane of the bacterial cell, which is simply absent in the human body. These are drugs such as cephalosporins, penicillins, etc.

Another group of drugs almost completely stop the full-fledged protein synthesis inside bacterial cells. These are antibiotics of the tetracycline series, aminoglycosides and macrolides. These are stronger antibiotics.

In addition, drugs are divided not only according to their principle of action on microorganisms, but also according to antibacterial activity. This criterion is always indicated in the annotation to the remedy.

There are broad-spectrum antibiotics that are active against various bacteria. Others are narrowly focused and act only on certain groups of pathogens.

Impact on viruses

Antibiotics cannot have any effect on viruses, since these organisms have a completely different structure than bacteria and also function differently. Modern medicine has not yet learned how to effectively deal with viruses, and all known antiviral drugs are not effective enough.

resistance

Quite often, doctors are faced with a situation where those antibiotics that previously worked quite successfully do not bring the patient any visible relief when they are used for the umpteenth time. This situation is explained by the fact that all living organisms, including bacteria, have a unique ability to adapt to various adverse environmental factors. A striking example of this possibility is the developed resistance (resistance) of bacteria to certain antibiotics. It has been scientifically proven that any kind of disease-causing organisms can, over time, develop resistance to even the most potent drugs.

At the same time, the rate of development of resistance largely depends on the dosage of the drug. Pharmacologists have to regularly work on the creation of new and new drugs. Now many doctors say that if the prescription of antibiotics continues to be carried out without exception, in twenty years humanity will face problems in the treatment of serious diseases. But such drugs are often a real salvation for children. That is why you should not consume antibiotics at your own discretion. There is no reason to deprive ourselves of their power of action on a really important occasion.

Application rules

It is very important to correctly prescribe antibiotics. Of course, if the patient is in the hospital with a very serious illness, for example, meningitis or pneumonia, then the use of this type of medicine is simply necessary and should not be subject to any discussion or doubt. But it should be borne in mind that in the conditions of stationary observation it is possible to constantly monitor the state of a person. This includes special laboratory tests and round-the-clock medical supervision.

If the situation is the opposite - home treatment and minor ailments, then the responsibility for the use of medicines falls on the shoulders of the patient himself or the parents.

Antibiotics are often used for various respiratory tract infections, but this is not always justified, because on average each child suffers about six such diseases a year. Do not self-medicate, it is important to trust a qualified doctor. Antibiotics cannot cure a runny nose and cough, they only destroy pathogens.

Conclusion

Despite all the freedom of life that antibiotics give people, it is important to remember that the use of any drugs based on them, like any other, should be carried out exclusively as directed and under the supervision of a doctor.

Thanks

Despite the high efficiency in the treatment of many infectious diseases, the scope of antibiotics is significantly limited by adverse reactions that occur during treatment with these drugs. Adverse reactions to antibiotics can be very diverse: from simple nausea to irreversible changes in the red bone marrow. The main reason for the development of adverse reactions to antibiotics is a violation of the principles of their use, often due to the inattention of both the attending physician and the patient.

What are adverse reactions and what determines their occurrence?

The occurrence of adverse reactions to antibiotics is a complex pathophysiological process in development, which involves many factors. On the one hand, the risk of adverse reactions is determined by the properties of the antibiotic itself, and on the other hand, by the reaction of the patient's body to it.

For example, it is known that penicillins are low-toxic antibiotics (this is a characteristic feature of penicillin), however, in a sensitized organism, penicillin can cause an allergic reaction, the development of which depends on the individual characteristics of the organism.

Also, the occurrence of adverse reactions depends on the dose of the antibiotic used and the duration of treatment, In most cases, the frequency and severity of side effects to antibiotics increases with increasing dose or duration of treatment..

The occurrence of some adverse reactions depends on the dosage form of the antibiotic used (tablets or injections). For example, nausea as a side effect is most common with oral antibiotics.

What are the side effects of using antibiotics?

Disorders from the digestive system in the form of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation occur with the use of many drugs and are associated mainly with irritation of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract by antibiotics. Typically, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal discomfort occurs immediately after taking the medicine (antibiotic) and resolves as the medicine is absorbed from the intestines. Elimination of nausea or vomiting can be achieved by switching from tablets to antibiotic injections or (if possible) taking antibiotics after meals (food protects the digestive tract from direct contact with antibiotics).

If digestive disorders are associated with the irritating effect of the antibiotic, then they disappear after the end of the course of treatment. However, the cause of indigestion may be completely different: a violation of the composition of the intestinal microflora (intestinal dysbacteriosis).

Intestinal dysbacteriosis is a specific side effect that occurs during antibiotic treatment.. Violation of the composition of the intestinal microflora is associated with the death of beneficial strains of bacteria that inhabit the intestine under the action of antibiotics. This is due to the wide spectrum of action of some antibiotics, which includes representatives of the normal intestinal microflora. This means that antibiotics destroy not only harmful microbes, but also beneficial microbes that are sensitive to this drug. Symptoms of intestinal dysbacteriosis (diarrhea, constipation, bloating) appear some time after the start of treatment and often do not go away after it ends.

A severe manifestation of intestinal dysbacteriosis is a lack of vitamin K, which manifests itself in the form of bleeding from the nose, gums, the appearance of subcutaneous hematomas. The greatest danger of intestinal dysbacteriosis is associated with the use of strong antibiotics (tetracyclines, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides) and especially their oral forms (tablets, capsules).

Due to the risk of intestinal dysbiosis, antibiotic treatment should be accompanied by treatment to restore the intestinal microflora. For this, drugs are used (Lineks, Hilak), containing strains of beneficial bacteria that are immune to the action of most antibiotics. Another way to avoid intestinal dysbacteriosis is the use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics, which destroy only microbes, pathogens and do not disturb the composition of the intestinal microflora.

Allergic reactions can occur to all known antibiotics, since they are all foreign substances to our body. Allergy to antibiotics is a type of drug allergy.

Allergy can manifest itself in a variety of ways: the appearance of rashes on the skin, itching of the skin, urticaria, angioedema, anaphylactic shock.

Most often, allergies are observed during treatment with antibiotics from the group of penicillins or cephalosporins. In this case, the intensity of the allergic reaction can be so high that the possibility of using these drugs is completely excluded. Due to the common structure of penicillins and cephalosporins, a cross-allergy may occur, that is, the body of a patient sensitive to penicillins responds with an allergy to the administration of cephalosporins.

Overcoming drug allergy to antibiotics is achieved by changing the drug. For example, if you are allergic to penicillins, they are replaced with macrolides.

In some cases, drug allergy to antibiotics can be severe and endanger the life of the patient. Such forms of allergies are anaphylactic shock (generalized allergic reaction), Steven-Jones syndrome (necrosis of the upper layers of the skin), hemolytic anemia.

Oral and vaginal candidiasis is another common adverse reaction to antibiotics.. As you know, candidiasis (thrush) is also an infectious disease, but it is not caused by bacteria, but by fungi that are insensitive to the action of conventional antibiotics. In our body, the growth of fungi is inhibited by bacterial populations, however, when antibiotics are prescribed, the composition of the normal microflora of our body (oral cavity, vagina, intestines) is disturbed, beneficial bacteria die, and fungi that are indifferent to the antibiotics used get the opportunity to actively multiply. Thus, thrush is one of the manifestations of dysbacteriosis.

For the prevention and treatment of thrush, it is recommended to take antifungal drugs along with antibiotics. It is also possible local treatment and the use of local antiseptics and antifungal drugs.

Nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic effects are damage to the tissues of the liver and kidneys due to the toxic effects of antibiotics. Nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic effects mainly depend on the dose of antibiotic used and the condition of the patient's body.

The greatest risk of damage to the liver and kidneys is observed when using large doses of antibiotics in patients with pre-existing diseases of these organs (pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, hepatitis).

Nephrotoxicity is manifested by a violation of kidney function: severe thirst, an increase or decrease in the amount of urine excreted, pain in the lumbar region, an increase in the level of creatinine and urea in the blood.

Liver damage is manifested by the appearance of jaundice, fever, discoloration of feces and dark urine (typical manifestations of hepatitis).

Antibiotics from the group of aminoglycosides, anti-tuberculosis drugs, and antibiotics from the tetracycline group have the greatest hepato- and nephrotoxic effect.

The neurotoxic effect is characterized by damage to the nervous system. Antibiotics from the aminoglycoside group, tetracycline, have the greatest neurotoxic potential. Mild forms of neurotoxicity are manifested by headache, dizziness. Severe cases of neurotoxicity are manifested by irreversible damage to the auditory nerve and the vestibular apparatus (the use of aminoglycosides in children), the optic nerves.

It is important to note that the neurotoxic potential of antibiotics is inversely proportional to the age of the patient: the greatest risk of damage to the nervous system under the action of antibiotics is observed in young children.

Hematologic disorders are among the most severe adverse reactions to antibiotics.. Hematological disorders can manifest in the form of hemolytic anemia, when blood cells are destroyed due to the deposition of antibiotic molecules on them or due to the toxic effect of antibiotics on red bone marrow cells (aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis). Such severe damage to the bone marrow can be observed, for example, when using Levomycetin (chloramphenicol).

Local reactions at the site of administration of antibiotics depend on the method of administration of the antibiotic. Many antibiotics, when introduced into the body, can irritate tissues, causing local inflammatory reactions, abscess formation, and allergies.

With intramuscular administration of antibiotics, the formation of a painful infiltrate (seal) at the injection site is often observed. In some cases (if sterility is not observed), suppuration (abscess) may form at the injection site.

With intravenous administration of antibiotics, inflammation of the walls of the veins may develop: phlebitis, manifested by the appearance of compacted painful strands along the veins.

The use of antibiotic ointments or sprays can cause dermatitis or conjunctivitis.

Antibiotics and pregnancy

During pregnancy and lactation, the use of antibiotics from the group of tetracyclines and aminoglycosides is strictly prohibited.

For more information about the adverse reactions of antibiotics, we recommend that you carefully study the insert of the purchased medicine. It is also advisable to ask your doctor about the possibility of developing side effects and the tactics of your actions in this case.

Bibliography:

1. I.M. Abdullin Antibiotics in clinical practice, Salamat, 1997


2. Katzunga B.G. Basic and clinical pharmacology, Binom; St. Petersburg: Nev. Dialect, 2000.

Reviews

I drink ASD 2 for prevention 2 times a year and no antibiotics are needed. I feel great!!!

After taking it, you need to drink Linex and it's normal

I injected intramuscularly with cephalotoxim, large white stripes and spots on the skin of the legs and back began to appear and after 10 minutes disappeared, what kind of "camouflage" can anyone tell me?

I took antibiotics for three weeks. everything seems to be fine .. but then I noticed the left cheek just fucking failed .. people what to do.? please give feedback .. maybe it's from antibiotics?
I'm just shocked

After an injection of ampicillin, a vulture appeared on the skin, burn body weight, what to do

I drank clarithromycin for 5 days according to the scheme, a terrible allergy began, red rashes on my face, it itches terribly, my face burns, the dermatologist says toxodermia, but treatment with calcium gluconate IV, loratadine, does not help, but not a word about dysbacteriosis, one treats the other cripples. Doctors do not need anything at all, they relieve superficial symptoms. And what next?

Antibiotics are needed in extreme cases. During common colds, the body itself can (and should) fight viruses. There are so many folk remedies to both treat and maintain immunity during the dangerous periods of colds. Only people are lazy, they prefer to swallow a pill "for everything." Only then it is necessary to treat the consequences of antibiotics. The doctors themselves strongly believe in medicines, because at the age of 18, students of medical universities, in principle, have no desire to get to the bottom of the matter and check everything said by the professor, but simply to get a doctor's diploma.

Guys, they don’t force an antibiotic into your mouth) you can ask the doctor to prescribe something else ... I have bronchitis now, and quite strong (until I started taking it, I suffered for a week and a half with any alternative) .... without an antibiotic, I would rather have inflammatory processes have begun .... and just do an antibiotic, although not a useful thing, but sometimes it is simply irreplaceable (for example, blood poisoning)

I had a cold, tracheitis, I was being treated at Laura, they gave the antibiotic Augmentin to drink or not to drink? It seems to be almost healthy, but the liver was not ideal in childhood there was jaundice

Well .... I also have a disbacteria from antibiotics ((((

Commercial clinics are an undeniable evil, because they often pursue one goal - to find "at least something" and continue treatment. But district therapists are a complete nightmare, because they just don’t want to find and see anything at all. They want to put a "tick" and get paid for the number of accepted. And they don't want to treat anyone. And, as a rule, it is not necessary to hope that by prescribing antibiotics, the doctor will advise how to avoid the consequences. Although I continue to believe that somewhere there are real doctors from God who strive for the true goal of any healer - to cure and fully restore the patient's working capacity. Now to get to such an appointment ...

I fully support Victor, since I myself fell into the network of commercial doctors. Perhaps there are good doctors, but unfortunately I did not come across such.
And the microflora suffers

People don't brains for themselves or others, if your intelligence is lower than a macaque, then you shouldn't generalize it.
as for corruption and the personal gain of medical workers, then know that not all bastards, but not all are good, and if you yourself do not follow the deception, you will definitely meet good doctors. And if you are a reasonable person, you must understand that you cannot interfere with everyone with one size fits all.

I was ill with ARVI several times, different doctors prescribed antibiotics, and none of them warned that you need to drink something that restores the intestinal microflora, since good people suggested, I don’t trust doctors anymore

I have some problems with the nervous system due to AntiBiot ..
The strangest thing is that the actions of antibiotics in some cases contradict each other.
I take medicine only in extreme cases.. and then often it's not worth it.
do not be ill!

The microflora of our body (intestines, first of all) is our immunity! Offering us to "treat" with antibiotics, the doctor knows for sure that we will return to him soon. Immunity is killed! This is the main principle of modern medicine - it is necessary to ensure "repeated sales". Commercial medicine obeys only the laws of business!

Well, not everyone has such strong reactions to antibiotics. In addition, as the name implies, they naturally destroy all bacteria in the body, including beneficial ones. And then, as a result, constipation begins, because there is no microflora. This dufalac was prescribed for you correctly, it is used in such cases.

Oho-hr, yes, our medicine can drive into the coffin. antibiotics d - very effective, but here are the side effects. my constipation began, after the operation, I drank duphalac - pah-pah, I recovered pretty quickly. I'm still for medicines based on some kind of bacteria, which are "live".

Antibiotics - a group of substances, semi-synthetic or natural origin, about which there is a lot of controversy. Can they have both positive and negative effects on human health? What are antibiotics: salvation or destructive power in the hands of the layman? Medaboutme understood all these nuances.

Antibiotics are substances whose main property is the ability to inhibit the growth and development of bacterial cells. Due to this, they effectively fight diseases caused by bacteria. Substances that inhibit the reproduction and growth of microbes and do not adversely affect the health of the person himself are used to make medicines. Antibiotics are often confused with antibacterial agents, such as Biseptol, Metronidazole or Furacilin. These are drugs of synthetic origin. The action of antibiotics and these drugs is somewhat similar, but their effectiveness, result and mechanism of action on microbes and the human body are different.

The onset of colds, coughs, and fevers prompts many people without pharmaceutical or medical training to take antibiotics. Is it correct? No, it's wrong and even dangerous. For example, the use of antibiotics does not affect the viruses that are the source of many respiratory diseases. Diseases such as influenza, rubella, and chicken pox cannot be treated with antibiotics. Their reception is necessary only in case of "attachment" of an additional infection, which has developed as a result of weakened immunity by the disease. In this case, the main treatment consists of the appointment of antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs.

Also, the action of antibiotics is powerless in the fight against fungal diseases (for example, candidiasis). They do not act on worms and protozoan pathogens (giardia, amoeba).

Tetanus, diphtheria and botulism also deserve special attention. These are infectious diseases, the severe course of which is caused by the action of bacterial toxins. In this case, in addition to the antibiotic, it is necessary to use a special antitoxic serum, which is also prescribed by a doctor. Neglect of this rule, even against the background of general antibacterial treatment, can lead to extremely negative consequences.

In addition, one type of antibiotic cannot be equally effective against all types of bacteria. So the appointment of such a drug can only be handled by a highly qualified specialist.

During the period of exacerbation of some diseases, for example, pyelonephritis, the doctor prescribes antibiotics, as a rule, only during the period of exacerbation, then replacing them with synthetic antibacterial drugs, as well as phytotherapeutic agents.

People, due to the prevailing opinion that antibiotic treatment is evil, often refuse to take them, wanting to "save" their own health. This approach is fundamentally wrong, moreover, dangerous. Failure of a patient in serious condition to take antibiotics can lead to unpleasant consequences.

Antibiotics, like any other group of drugs, have side effects. These may include allergic reactions or dysbacteriosis. If they are identified, the attending physician simultaneously prescribes drugs to eliminate them, for example, Suprastin, Linex, Acelact, etc.

Another myth is the formation of dependence on antibiotics. The action of antibiotics does not cause addiction and dependence. But the course of such a disease as a sore throat, without taking them, can threaten the appearance of complications, for example, damage to the kidneys and heart. And the usual sinusitis and pneumonia can go into a sluggish chronic form.

The main rule of successful antibiotic treatment is the accuracy in following the recommendations of the attending physician. After all, only a specialist can prescribe the right antibiotics, given the characteristics of this disease.

Self-medication is an unjustified extreme of the use of antibiotics. Own unprofessional knowledge and annotations to the drug is not enough for their appointment. Ineffective antibiotic treatment is the least of the possible negative consequences of negligent attitude to this type of drug. As a result of improper prescription of antibiotics, other side effects are possible:

• lack of “overlapping” of the life cycles of bacteria, which leads to their incomplete destruction and relapse of the disease;
• increasing the resistance (resistance) of pathogenic bacteria to this type of drug.

This can also be facilitated by the untimely discontinuation of the drug prescribed by the doctor.

• The prescription of antibiotics depends on many factors, including:
• Identification of the causative agent of the disease;
• Determination of its sensitivity to various antibiotics;
• Selection of the drug that will enter the site of infection;
• The choice of dose in accordance with the nature of the disease, the age of the patient and other individual characteristics;
• Determination of the period of taking the drug.

A person without special education cannot take these factors into account on his own, so the best solution in the event of a disease is a timely visit to a doctor.

An important task is the correct determination of the duration of antibiotic treatment. An unreasonably long course of treatment threatens with the possibility of developing complications - deterioration of vision, hearing, development of dysbacteriosis and others. On the other hand, an incomplete course of treatment can provoke the development of resistance of pathogenic bacteria to the drug. Strict adherence to the prescriptions of a highly qualified specialist is a universal solution to the problem, since only a doctor can determine the correct duration of treatment, taking into account each specific case, medical history and previous appointments.

Long-term oral antibiotics threaten the appearance of dysbacteriosis, which can provoke a weakened immune system. Therefore, it is important to observe the timing of taking the remedy, the exact dosage and not to neglect the intake of concomitant drugs that eliminate side effects.

Colds and fever up to 38 ° C are not a reason for self-administration of antibiotics. Firstly, the causative agent of the disease is not known, and secondly, an increase in temperature helps the body cope with the disease on its own. However, such a temperature is a good reason to seek help from a medical institution.

A temperature above 38 ° C is a reason to take an antipyretic, but a doctor should make an appointment, especially if the temperature does not drop for more than three days.

It is impossible to stop taking antibiotics ahead of time on your own, even if the patient feels completely healthy.

To prevent the onset of dysbacteriosis during antibiotic treatment, it is necessary to additionally take Linex or another drug of similar action.

In conclusion, we note: in no case should you self-medicate, otherwise the drug intended for treatment can cause irreparable harm to health.

The history of antibiotics began with the discovery made by the English bacteriologist Alexander Fleming. On September 15, 1928, when in the course of a long-term study devoted to the study of the struggle of the human body with bacterial infections, the scientist conducted an ordinary experiment, he encountered an interesting phenomenon. In his laboratory he had a large collection of various microbes growing in Petre dishes on a nutrient medium. His attention was drawn to one of the cups, on the edge of which mold appeared, and all the colonies of microorganisms that were nearby died. Fleming had the idea that the mold spreads around itself a certain substance that can kill microbes. He began to deliberately introduce this mold into cups with colonies of microbes. Soon they found that this mold does indeed have antimicrobial properties. He called the substance secreted by the moldy fungus penicillin. At that time, penicillin was not isolated in pure or concentrated form, and the mold itself produced a weak effect, and it was very inconvenient to use it.

During the 1930s, unsuccessful attempts were made to improve the quality of penicillin and other antibiotics by learning how to obtain them in a fairly pure form. And only in 1938, two scientists at Oxford University, Howard Florey and Ernst Cheyne, managed to isolate a pure form of penicillin, which began to be used in 1941, and already in 1943, due to the great need for medicines during World War II, mass production of this medicine.

In 1945, Fleming, Flory, and Chain were awarded the Nobel Prize for their work.

Penicillin and other antibiotics have saved countless lives. In addition, penicillin was the first drug, which was seen as an example of the emergence of microbial resistance to antibiotics.

Antibiotics, depending on the concentration, can retard the growth of sensitive microorganisms (bacteriostatic action), cause their death (bactericidal action) or dissolve them (lytic action). Antibiotics are indispensable for acute pyelonephritis, pneumonia, otitis media, complicated sinusitis, abscesses, sepsis, chlamydia, infective endocarditis and other very serious diseases. Antibiotics are often given to people after surgery. However, all antibiotics have a different spectrum of action. For example, penicillin is effective for pneumonia caused by staphylococcal infection, but for inflammation of the lungs, the cause of which is mycoplasma, it will not give any result.

Antibiotics came into our lives as a way to get rid of infections that have tormented humanity for thousands of years. However, after the appearance of new powerful drugs, they started talking about their harm. In the process of improving the drugs, it turned out that the drug only kills bacteria that are sensitive to it. The strongest of them survive, and a mutation occurs in their cells. It turns out that every day the army of supermicrobes resistant to antibiotics is replenished. It turned out that with prolonged use, antibiotics "at the same time" kill the beneficial microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, contribute to the appearance of intestinal dysbacteriosis, toxic damage to the liver, kidneys, etc. Many people develop an allergy to them. However, antibiotics are indispensable today, they are still "central" in overcoming sepsis, intoxication, and tuberculosis. So far, there are no other drugs that can so powerfully and quickly cope with a life-threatening infection. Scientists are creating new drugs designed for new strains.

And so that antibiotics do not bring harm, they cannot be taken for a long time, and even more so “prescribed” to oneself on their own, they must be prescribed by a doctor. Correctly and with the least risk to health, an analysis helps the doctor choose an antibiotic - blood, urine or sputum culture for sensitivity to the drug. In addition, there are drugs that are taken in parallel with antibiotics as a cover. For example, suprastin, tavegil and other antihistamines can significantly reduce the risk of developing allergies. Bifikol or atsilakt almost nullify the likelihood of intestinal dysbacteriosis. In addition, dependence on antibiotics is never formed. And to smooth out the negative effect of antibiotics on the body and restore the microflora, bifidobacteria contained in fermented milk products and modern probiotic preparations help.

Antibiotics, whose father is Fleming, have been used for over 100 years. They have saved more than one hundred thousand people throughout history, especially during wars. Previously, there was only one known drug in this category - penicillin, but today biochemists have developed hundreds of different antibiotics with different spectrums of action, specializations for certain microbes, and also for different ages. These drugs are actively used today, so the question remains open about the harm that they create on the human body.

Are antibiotics harmful?

Antibiotics are organic or synthetic substances that can kill, disrupt the structure, and destroy the protein synthesis apparatus of bacteria. Today, these drugs are used to treat pneumonia, colds, tetanus, diphtheria, and many other bacterial infections. What is the harm of antibiotics to the human body?

It is connected with the fact that these substances have an overwhelming effect on microbes. There are two types of antibiotics: broad spectrum and narrow spectrum. The former inhibit all microbes in the body, but a person also has a beneficial microflora in the body that regulates many processes, acting as a barrier to "bad" bacteria.

Due to the wide spectrum of action of drugs after a course of treatment, the balance of microbes in the body is disturbed, immunity is weakened and dysbacteriosis develops.

The second group of drugs works only with a narrow spectrum of microorganisms, or with one at all, without harming the human microflora.

“Why not just use narrow-spectrum antibiotics?” is a question that will come to the mind of many readers. The fact is that it is extremely difficult to obtain such drugs, because for this you need to find in a certain bacterium some factors that are characteristic only for it and are absent from others. If such features are found, then it is necessary to develop a way to influence them. Because of this, there are very few such drugs and they are more expensive than their "brothers" of a wide range.

Are antibiotics harmful? It is impossible to answer this question unambiguously, because these drugs save lives by fighting the most dangerous bacterial diseases, but with prolonged, irrational or self-treatment, they can be harmful to the body, disturb the balance of microflora, which is difficult to restore.

Harm of antibiotics for the body

Antibiotics adversely affect many vital systems of the body, but they are especially harmful to:

• liver;
• kidneys;
• stomach;
• intestinal microflora;
• of cardio-vascular system;
• nervous system.

Each area of ​​impact is detailed below.

Harm to the liver

The first thing antibiotics hit is liver cells. This universal filter of the body passes through itself the blood with everything that it contains. Any drugs after ingestion destroy liver cells, which are very difficult to restore. She tries to remove harmful substances from the body, neutralizes, but she herself receives the brunt:

• inflammatory processes in the liver may occur;
• gallbladder;
• enzymatic function is weakened;
• pain occurs (especially after prolonged use).

Often, doctors, in order to reduce harm to the liver, together with antibacterial drugs, prescribe special medications that can strengthen the liver. It can be not only tablets, but also teas or decoctions.

Harm to the kidneys

The kidneys are the second to try to clear the body of the decay products of antibiotics after taking them. This negatively affects them, because such drugs are aggressive substances, therefore they irritate and destroy the epithelium lining the organs from the inside.

Therefore, after prolonged use of antibacterial drugs, cloudy urine, a change in its color or smell, may be observed. Cells are destroyed, and because of this, the absorption and excretory function of the kidneys is impaired. Restoring them is no easier than the liver. This process occurs on its own, and you can help it with plenty of drink and herbal teas.

Harm to the stomach

Why are antibiotics harmful to the stomach? They increase the acidity inside it, cause an increased secretion of gastric juice containing strong perchloric acid. This phenomenon is especially dangerous if the reception was not after a meal, but on an empty stomach.

Ulcers can form in the walls of the stomach, gastritis develops. It is almost impossible to cure such consequences, therefore, before starting treatment, it is necessary to study the features and rules of admission in order to reduce the negative effect on the stomach.

Violation of microflora

Antibiotics have the most serious effect on the intestinal microflora, especially if they are of a wide spectrum. The body is freed not only from harmful microorganisms, but also loses its "protective garrison". Beneficial bacteria living in the human body create a barrier through which harmful microbes cannot break through into cells and tissues. Also, beneficial organisms help a person digest and excrete food, synthesize some necessary substances.

Also, beneficial bacteria protect a person from the penetration of fungal infections that cause fermentation and rotting of food in the digestive tract, depress the immune system, and cause allergic reactions. Harmful fungi are yeast, some types of aspergillus and others.

The harm from the imbalance of the intestinal microflora can be felt as early as 2-3 weeks after taking antibiotics.

• disruption of the digestive system;
• bloating develops;
• processes of fermentation and decay;
• an allergy or rash appears;
• the chair is upset;
• dysbacteriosis begins.

Restoring your "protective garrison" is difficult, but possible. To do this, you need to drink a course of prebiotics - preparations containing beneficial bacteria, as well as adjusting your diet.

Harm to the nervous and cardiovascular systems

Some types of antibiotics can depress mental activity, disrupt the functioning of the vestibular apparatus and sensory organs. Streptomycin with long-term treatment causes difficulty in perceiving new information, impairs memory, and does not allow concentration.

There are also safe drugs, so you need to talk about the features of the drug with your doctor. Certain types of antibiotics can harm the cardiovascular system, disrupting the work of the heart, irritating the walls of blood vessels, and increasing blood pressure.

How to reduce the harm of antibiotics

In order not to get unpleasant consequences after the course of treatment, it is necessary first of all to follow the advice of the treating specialist.

1. You should carefully consider the rules of admission, as well as take auxiliary drugs that the doctor will prescribe.
2. Remember that it is difficult to clear the body of antibiotic residues, but this process can be accelerated. Herbal teas and prebiotics will help with this. To cleanse your body, you can drink chamomile, mint, nettle teas, or purchase special herbal preparations for the liver, kidneys, and stomach.
3. Also in every pharmacy there are prebiotics. They contain beneficial bacteria, so they will help restore the intestinal microflora and cleanse organ cells from drug residues.
4. Do not take prebiotics on your own, because each of the many types contains different microorganisms, so only a doctor can prescribe them.

Antibiotics not only treat, but can also be harmful. Take care of your body, do not take drugs on your own and follow all the doctor's recommendations - this is the only way to reduce the negative impact of antibacterial drugs.