Why Antibiotics Aren’t Always the Answer

Antibiotics can effectively kill bacteria. Oftentimes when a patient has a bacterial infection and needs antibiotics, the benefits outweigh the risks. However, there are many everyday situations where antibiotics are inappropriate and can even be harmful. For instance, antibiotics cannot cure colds, flu, or other upper respiratory infections caused by viruses.

Common side effects of antibiotics can include:

  • Rash
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Yeast infections
  • Severe allergic reactions

Other serious side effects include Clostridium difficile (C. Diff.) infection, which results in diarrhea that can lead to severe colon damage and even death.

One less discussed potential risk of antibiotic usage is that antibiotics kill not only “bad”, but also “good” bacteria in the gut microbiome, the microbes in your intestines. Using antibiotics kills a significant amount of this “good” bacteria or stops them from multiplying, thus affecting the normal “ecosystem” and function of the gut microbiome.

Finally, from a public health point of view, imprudent antibiotic use lead to antibiotic resistance. According to a recent article in BMC Medicine, the rate of antibiotic prescriptions has doubled from 2000 to 2010.  The report further states that “nearly 50 percent of outpatient antibiotics prescribed are unnecessary.” A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that in the U.S. at least 2 million people have serious infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria every year, and at least 23,000 die directly due to those antibiotic-resistant infections. In addition, at least 14,000 people die each year in U.S. due to C. Diff. infections.

Before asking your doctor for another antibiotic, I would like everyone to think about the potential risks, from a personal and societal perspective. Antibiotics may not be the right answer and oftentimes it is better to wait a few days to see if your body can ward off the infection naturally. The side effects and potential risks of antibiotic usage must be carefully considered, and the prescription of antibiotics needs to be treated with greater gravity.

What is Leaky Gut Anyway?

When our body is healthy our cells lining our intestines should allow the absorption of important nutrients, while keeping substances out that could make us sick. Leaky gut happens when there is an increase of the harmful and inflammatory substances being absorbed because the walls of the intestines have been injured and there are bigger gaps between the cells.  These gaps allow passage of these harmful substances inside the body where they ordinarily would not go.  Unfortunately, when our body is chronically exposed to these substances or bacteria in the blood stream, it can cause local (GI symptoms or malabsorption) and systemic (whole body symptoms) reactions and inflammation.  Some common things that have been seen in association with intestinal permeability are – chronic fatigue syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel disease (IBS), celiac disease, eczema, food allergy, inflammatory arthritis and even psychological conditions.
But how do these gaps get there in the first place? 

They seem to begin for some people following an infection, illness, medical treatment, or other major stressful event. It may happen because the usual balance in the intestine is disrupted. The disruption may be caused by medications (e.g., antibiotics, steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) malnutrition, surgery, burns, infection, alcohol consumption, cow milk intolerance, age, or stressful events in your life.  We also know that even for people who do not have celiac or gluten sensitivity, exposure to gliadins (a protein in gluten which is found in wheat, barley and rye) causes a greater increase in intestinal permeability.

How can the gaps be closed? 

We can help heal leaky gut by trying to figure out a little of what might have caused it in the first place – and avoiding it.  So, if it was a medicine or a food, or stress you would want to limit your exposure.  We also want to support our bodies natural digestion and give it the nutrients it needs to heal and calm inflammation and replenish a good balance of bacteria.

For more information, check out the University of Wisconsin site.