Addressing Antibiotics

  • What are antibiotics?
    • Prescription based drug used to treat infections or diseases, most often caused by bacteria, such as UTIs, sinus infections, ear infections, skin infections, open wounds, URI
    • Can be used prophylactically pre or post surgery
    • Work by blocking certain processes in bacteria that they need to sustain life. This can help the body fight off the bacterial infection
    • There is a time and a place where this is necessary for sure 
  • Why can this be harmful to the body?
    • Side effects like yeast infections
    • Asthma, allergies, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions
    • Disrupt microbiome
    • Resulting in antibiotic resistance
    • Can predispose to recurrent infections
      • Good bacteria grow in an anaerobic environment and that environment is created by good bacteria eating the oxygen in the gut
      • Bad bacteria thrive in an oxygen rich environment
      • Antibiotics deplete to good bacteria, which allows an increase in oxygen in the gut, which allows “bad” bacteria to thrive. 
    • By killing off good bacteria, we are compromising the immune system because much of our immune system is made up of the good bacteria
  • Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem
    • 2 million people are infected with antibiotic resistant bacteria each year
    • Many doctors are prescribing antibiotics without thoroughly making sure the specific type of bacteria that your body is infected with and what antibiotics would be most effective for
    • Some doctors are still prescribing antibiotics even when the cause is more likely to be a virus than a bacteria
    • Bacteria can mutate to make the antibiotics less effective at killing them. They are smart!
  • Building immunity and fight infection naturally
    • Ideally we’re always supporting our immune system to function at it’s best. This is where foundational health practices come into place
      • Sleep
      • Diet
        • Limit sugar
      • Supporting microbiome and gut health
    • Infections will happen at some point despite prevention measures. 
      • Many herbs and homeopathic remedies are very effective to support immune health with infections
      • Check in with your healthcare team for best recommendations to support you
    • If you do find yourself in a situation where an antibiotic is the best choice
      • Take probiotic 2 hours away from antibiotic dosing
      • Florastor is widely available if you need to get one quick at your local grocery store

Complete and Continue