Antibiotics - Facts, Usage & Natural Alternatives

Antibiotics

Facts
Antibiotic resistance
Side effects
Prolong use
Consuming antibiotics
Antibacterial agents
Books & articles
Antibacterial agency
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Facts

Antibiotics are meant to fight off bacterial infections such as pneumonia (e.g. legionnaires' disease), meningitis, cystitis, ear infections, abscess, Lyme disease (tick-transmitted), leprosy and tuberculosis. They cannot be used against viral infections.
The first antibiotic discovered by Alexander Fleming, a Scottish scientist in 1928 is penicillin. It was only in 1941 that penicillin made its public debut.
Antibiotic drugs are grouped into families such as cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, penicillins, erythromycins, polypeptides, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, quinolones, streptogramins and sulfonamides. Each family comprises of many members.
Antibiotics are classified as narrow-spectrum drugs when they are effective against a few types of bacteria and as broad-spectrum drugs when they are effective against a wider range of bacteria.
Combination of antibiotics are sometimes used to treat certain infections like leprosy and tuberculosis.
They are sometimes prescribed to treat conditions such as acne, food poisoning, gout and nosebleed.
Preventive antibiotic therapy is meant to prevent bacterial infection, e.g. to reduce the risk of endocarditis (inflammation of the lining inside the heart chambers and heart valves) or to reduce the risk of contracting traveler's diarrhea or to protect people who have a weak immune system because of AIDS or undergoing chemotheraphy treatment for cancer.
Different antibiotics kill different bacteria differently.
Though antibiotics can kill off sensitive bacteria, the resistant ones survive and even prosper (i.e. grow and multiply).
Animals like chickens, pigs, turkeys, cattle also receive their dose of antibiotics in order to either promote growth or to treat and prevent diseases. Fruits and vegetables are also not spared as antibiotics are sprayed to prevent bacterial infections.
Researchers in Australia have found that the blood of crocodiles contained antibodies that could kill penicillin-resistant bacteria (e.g. Staphylococcus aureus or golden staph) and the HIV virus. A crocodile's immune system is said to be much more powerful than a humam's immune system, preventing life-threatening infections after territorial fights which often leave the crocodiles with wounds and missing limbs. Yet, the crocodile's immune system may be too powerful for humans and may need to be synthesized for human consumption.
Reference : Reuters, Aug 16, 2005

Antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance (AR) is the result of an overuse or misuse of antibiotics. This resistance is certainly a big worry.
Did you know there are certain strains of bacteria that have become impossible to eliminate with almost all types of antibiotics?
Broad-spectrum antibiotics are the ones that can promote AR as well as interfere with the absorption of vitamins B6 and B12, folic acid, minerals like magnesium, calcium and potassium.

Side effects

Allergies may develop with the use of antibiotics, frequently with penicillin.
Side effects from antibiotics can include diarrhea, lightheadness, headaches, cramp, vomiting and stomach discomfort. Consult your physician if these side effects persist or become serious.
Taking the antibiotic erythromycin (primarily used to treat bacteria infections e.g. bronchitis, Legionnaires' disease, pneumonia, rheumatic fever and venereal disease) with Liptor, a statin drug shown to lower cholesterol can cause muscle damage. Check with your physician before combining these 2 drugs or learn how to lower cholesterol without drugs here.
Antibiotics can destroy the beneficial flora (needed for digestion and protection against infection) in the gut.
Antibiotic therapy can weaken the immune system, simply because it suppresses the body's natural defense system against illness.
In a study of more than 10,000 women in Washington state, researchers found that the use of all forms of antibiotics for more than 500 days or those had more than 25 prescriptions in the course of a 17-year period more than doubled their chance of developing breast cancer compared with women who had not taken any antibiotics. The fewer the days on antibiotics resulted in a smaller risk. But researchers caution that the findings do not mean antibiotics cause breast cancer. Rather, the results indicate there is an association between the two. More research is needed. Antibiotics could increase the risk for breast cancer by, e.g. affecting bacteria in the digestive system in ways that interfere with the way the body uses foods that protect against cancer. Another possibility is that antibiotics increase the risk by affecting the immune system.
Reference : "Antibiotic Use in Relation to the Risk of Breast Cancer" Christine Velicer, et al. Journal of the American Medical Association (2004) 291:827-835

Prolong use

A deficiency in vitamin K can occur.
A reduction of the manufacture of biotin in the intestines.
Cause people to be light-sensitive. Examples of such antibiotics : doxycycline, ciproflaxacin and ofloxacin.

Consuming antibiotics

If you must consume antibiotics :

Complete the full course even if symptoms improve, otherwise, the antibiotics are not given enough time to work on the infection completely, which can cause a relapse. What's more, the bacteria can become so resistant that the antibiotics no longer work for you the next time.
Follow all the instructions carefully. Take the correct dosages on time.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Either resume to take the forgotten dose at once or if it's time for the next dose, just continue with it and skip the earlier missed dose.
Do not share antibiotics with anyone.
Never consume previously prescribed leftovers. Discard them.
If side effects occur from the course of antibiotics or if the condition shows no signs of improvement, see your physician again.
Keep capsules or tablets in a cool dry place. Store liquid mixtures in the refrigerator.

Antibacterial agents

ACIDOPHILUS

Friendly bacteria that keeps the digestive system efficient, helps to maintain a healthy flora in the digestive tract and manufactures some vitamins such as vitamin K and biotin.
ALOE VERA

Treats cystitis and ulcers. Aids wound healing.
CRANBERRY

Kills harmful bacterial and food-borne pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract. Treats urinary tract infections caused by E.coli.
GARLIC

Treats and prevents bacterial infections that cause sinus congestion and ear infection. Treats infections on the nails, skin and foot.
ECHINACEA

Treats and prevents bacterial infections. Aids wound healing.
NONI
OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT

Fights bacterial infections such as bronchitis and sinusitis. Used for skin infections, cystitis, chronic fatigue syndrome caused by recurrent bacteria.

BEE PROPOLIS

Propolis comes from Greek words meaning 'defenses before a town'. It is a resin found in buds of some trees and flowers. It is used as a substitute of antibiotics to treat non-threatening infections. People allergic to bee stings, bee products, black poplar (Populas nigra) and poplar bud may develop allergic reactions to propolis.

TEA TREE ESSENTIAL OIL

Effective against bacterial infection on the skin, acne, vaginal and foot - topical application.

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