Here’s the antibiotic dilemma. Even when they’re used correctly to kill bacteria, numerous studies show antibiotics can still cause more harm that good.

Yes, they kill off bad bacteria in your system, but they also destroy the good bacteria needed for proper digestion and protection against certain diseases. The destruction of good intestinal bacteria after a treatment of antibiotics has been found to be the direct cause of serious health issues, including candida.

And, worst of all, the misuse and over-prescription of antibiotics for anything and everything imaginable, including the common cold, flu and all kinds of viruses (which they have no effect on), is responsible for the growing resistance to antibiotics by many bacterial strains which are causing serious, untreatable problems.

A recent study, published in The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, showed that even a properly prescribed antibiotic can foster the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria for at least two to six months after treatment. Carrying these bugs around in your body increases your chance of getting another infection. It also means the carrier can pass the resistant bug off to their family, friends, co-workers or anyone else they may bump into in their travels.

What can you do to protect yourself and your family? You can be cautious about using antibiotics and you can strengthen your immune system.

Your immune system is your body’s means of defense against infectious diseases as well as colds, flues and other viruses. People with strong, healthy immune systems seldom, if ever, need to take antibiotics for infections.

When necessary, you can use a natural antibiotic. Garlic is a highly effective natural antibiotic that blocks toxin production of germs. According to the Garlic Information Center in Britain, garlic was found to be a more potent antibiotic than penicillin and many prescription drugs. It was also more effective against nine strains of E. coli and Staph infections.

If you decide to take garlic capsules, be sure the garlic is not deodorized. Allicin is the source of garlic odor and it’s also the active ingredient that makes it so effective. 5 to 10 milligrams of garlic is the equivalent of 75 to 100 units of penicillin.

And, after any antibiotic treatment, whether natural or prescription, always be sure to add a full spectrum acidophilus complex to your daily regimen. Acidophilus helps build the balance of good bacteria in your intestinal tract, so you can fight off any new drug resistant bacterial strains already in your system or that you might be exposed to in the future.

Your body has amazing abilities to protect you. All you have to do is make sure you give your body the right nutrition to build and maintain a strong immune system.

All You Need To Know About Antibiotics

The etymology of the word antibiotic refers to the Greek anti that means 'against' and bios that means 'life'. So, a bacterium is a form of a life. Antibiotics are also called as antibacterials. These medications are indicated for treating of various infections provoked by bacteria.

Certain types of bacteria are not harmful and even good for us, while the others can do harm, inducing such conditions as tuberculosis, syphilis, salmonella, meningitis, and many others.

Our body has a mechanism that protects us from unwanted actions of the bacteria. Bacteria can multiply and cause various unfavorable symptoms, but our immune system protects us and destroys them with the help of white blood cells that work by attacking harmful bacteria. Even if certain unfavourable symptoms occur, the immune system generally copes and fights the infection. But it can happen that our immune system needs some extra help as it can’t fight bacteria on its own. In this situation antibiotics can help to deal with the bacteria.

Penicillin is the first antibiotic created. There exists a number of penicillin-related antibiotics widely used these days. Among them are the following: ampicillin, amoxicillin and benzylpenicillin.

Nowadays there are a number of other types of modern antibiotic medications.

The action of antibiotic medications

In spite the fact that there are various types of antibiotic drugs, they all have one of two actions: bactericidal or bacteriostatic. Bactericidal antibiotics such as Penicillin kill the bacteria by interfering with the cell wall formation of the bacteria.

Bacteriostatic effect of antibiotic drugs involves preventing bacteria from multiplying.

Indication of antibiotics

Antibiotic medications are indicated for managing infections caused by bacteria. Antibiotics are effective against such microorganisms as bacteria, fungi and parasites, but don’t kill viruses. That is why, if you the symptoms of an infection occur, for the right treatment is important to determine whether it is provoked by bacteria or a virus. The majority of upper respiratory tract infections (common cold and sore throats) are typically caused by viruses and antibiotic treatment won’t be effective to treat these conditions.

In case an antibiotic medication is used for longer period or is used incorrectly, there is a risk that the bacteria will become resistant to this antibiotic, which means that this medication will become less effective for fighting this type of a microorganism.

There are broad-spectrum antibiotic medications that are used to treat various infections, whereas narrow-spectrum antibiotics are effective against a few types of bacteria only. There are also types of antibiotics that fight aerobic bacteria (which need oxygen) and others are effective against anaerobic bacteria (which don’t need oxygen).

Antibiotic medications may be given before surgical procedures as a preventive measure. Generally, they are used before bowel and orthopedic surgery.

Adverse effects of antibiotic medications

Among the common adverse effects of antibiotic medications are the following: diarrhea, fungal infections of the mouth, digestive tract and vagina, and some others.

Among rare adverse effects of antibiotic medications are: formation of kidney stones, blood clotting problems, blood disorders, sun sensitivity, deafness, and some others.

Allergic reactions to antibiotic drugs

A number of people develop allergic reaction to antibiotic medications. Most often allergic reactions occur to penicillins. Among allergic reactions are the following: rash, swelling of the face, and breathing problems. Before starting the treatment with any antibiotic drug, let your medical provider know if any allergic reactions to antibiotic drugs have ever occurred to you. Note that allergic reactions to antibiotic drugs can be very serious, and even fatal.

Antibiotic medications should be used with caution in people with the following conditions: liver or kidney impairments, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.

Antibiotic drugs can interact with other medicines, so while treating with antibiotics, it is not recommended to use other medications and herbal supplements without consulting with your medical provider first. Over the counter medications might also interact with antibiotic drugs.

Penicillins, cephalosporins, and some other types of antibiotics might decrease the performance of oral contraceptives. If any of these drugs are used, additional contraceptive precautions should be applied.

Administration of antibiotics

Generally, antibiotic medications are administered by mouth, but there are antibiotics that are injected, or used directly to the affected area.

As a rule, most antibiotic medications start their effect on an infection within several hours. It is important to complete the entire course of the medication treatment in order to cure the infection completely and prevent it from coming back. If the course of treatment is not completed, there is a high risk that the bacteria become resistant to future treatments with this antibiotic. So, even if you feel a significant improvement of your condition, you still need to complete the treatment.

Certain types of antibiotic medications should not be administered with certain foods and drinks as the effect of the drug might be altered. Others antibiotics should be taken with food on order to prevent upset stomach. Typically, during the treatment with antibiotics, alcohol should be not used. For the successful treatment as well as avoiding unwanted side reactions, one should follow the recommendations defined by the medical professional.