Thanks to the invention of antibiotics, mortality from infectious diseases has dropped to negligible numbers. Inflammation of the lungs and intestinal infections, which claimed millions of lives a hundred years ago, today are treated in a few days, even on an outpatient basis. The name of Louis Pasteur is forever inscribed in the history of medicine.
However, the same Pasteur, who invented the means of fighting infection, uttered the famous phrase: “Gentlemen! Microbes will have the last word." And the scientist was absolutely right. Over time, it became quite clear that antibiotics also have a lot of their "skeletons in the closet."
Side effects of antibacterial agents can be no less serious than the original disease that became the root cause of the treatment. A study conducted by American clinicians proved that antibiotic toxicity has become one of the most common causes of death in hospitalized patients. But do not rush to conclusions.
Let's try to consistently answer the burning questions: why sometimes the therapy of consequences becomes the result of the use of drugs? And how to recover after antibiotic treatment?
Antibiotics side effects
As you know, antibacterial drugs are divided into groups that have a common spectrum of action and similar side effects.
Penicillins
Antibiotics of the penicillin group are generally well tolerated. Rash and exfoliative dermatitis are among the most common side effects. However, the appearance of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in the treatment of penicillins (drugs Amoxicillin, Augmentin, etc.) is not uncommon.
Cephalosporins
Relatively safe antibiotics are cephalosporins of all four generations. Among the side effects attributed to these drugs, diarrhea occupies an honorable place. Rarely, hypersensitivity reactions are recorded: rash and fever. Ceftazidime is a third-generation antibiotic that causes liver dysfunction.
macrolides
Side effects of macrolides (for example, the antibiotic Sumamed) include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and occasionally antibiotic-associated colitis and cholestatic jaundice.
Fluoroquinolones
When taking these drugs, gastrointestinal symptoms are more often recorded, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea. Allergic reactions develop much less often - rash and itching.
Aminoglycosides
The drugs in this group are among the most toxic. Of particular concern is the nephrotoxicity of aminoglycosides, which manifests itself in the development of acute renal failure, as well as ototoxicity, leading to hearing loss.
So, the spectrum of side effects of antibacterial drugs is extensive. But the most well-known adverse event associated with treatment with these agents is by far antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Let's try to figure out what caused this manifestation and how to deal with it.
Antibiotics and diarrhea: causes
To begin with, the likelihood of diarrhea or simply diarrhea during treatment with antibacterial agents is not so small: it ranges from 5 to 40%.
Diarrhea during or after antibiotic treatment can be caused by two completely different reasons:
- imbalance of microflora that colonizes in the large intestine;
- extremely rapid growth of opportunistic bacteria Clostridium difficile.
A stool disorder caused by changes in the composition of the intestinal flora is the symptom that is usually called in domestic medicine.
Dysbacteriosis - truth or myth?
Heated disputes about dysbacteriosis have not subsided so far. Many patients and doctors diligently look for signs of this condition and treat it. Meanwhile, Western medicine refers to the concept of "dysbacteriosis" is very reserved.
It should be noted that in Russia there is no nosological unit with such a name, that is, officially there is no such diagnosis. This is largely due to the fact that the composition of the intestinal flora is too diverse to establish clear criteria for the norm. Moreover, a healthy person has recovery mechanisms, and they start on their own.
The condition, which in our country is regarded as dysbacteriosis against the background of taking antibiotics, is called antibiotic-associated diarrhea by most European and American experts. The main and often the only symptom of disturbed intestinal microflora is loose stools.
Pseudomembranous enterocolitis - an unfamiliar name for a familiar problem
In about 5 to 15% of cases of antibiotic use, diarrhea that occurs during or after treatment is caused by the growth of Clostridium difficile. The disease that develops as a result of the reproduction of clostridia is called pseudomembranous enterocolitis. Most often, this complication is recorded in patients undergoing inpatient treatment.
The diagnosis of pseudomembranous enterocolitis is suggested first in any patient with diarrhea who has taken antibiotics in the previous three months and has been hospitalized.
Symptoms of pseudomembranous enterocolitis include:
- mild to moderately severe watery diarrhea;
- cramping pain in the abdomen;
- lack of appetite;
- malaise.
In severe cases, fever and dehydration may occur. If signs of enterocolitis appear, an urgent consultation with a doctor is necessary. And no self-medication!
Dysbacteriosis after taking antibiotics: risk factors and solutions
Much more often there is a less aggressive consequence of treatment with antibacterial drugs - dysbacteriosis.
The likelihood of developing dysbacteriosis and, as a result, antibiotic-associated diarrhea increases if the primary infection is caused by Clostridium, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus aureus, and some other pathogens.
In addition, the risk group for diarrhea associated with antibiotic treatment includes:
- elderly people;
- patients in inpatient departments;
- cancer patients;
- patients taking proton pump inhibitors.
Recall that these drugs include drugs for the treatment of gastritis and peptic ulcer: Omeprazole, Lanzaprozol, Pantoprozol and others.
So, what should those 5–39% of patients do who, during or after taking antibacterial agents, felt the manifestations of dysbacteriosis?
First of all, don't be discouraged. In the vast majority of cases, diarrhea is not the reason for discontinuation of the main drugs.
And secondly, at least one more drug will have to be added to the main list of drugs.
The invention of antibiotics has helped people cope with many previously incurable diseases and their consequences. But taking medications without the supervision of a doctor can adversely affect the body and harm it, so you need to be aware of the consequences of improperly selected treatment.
What are the dangers of antibiotics for the body - the effect on organs and systems
It is worth taking antibacterial drugs only if the benefit outweighs the possibility of complications from taking them. They not only stop the reproduction of microbes, but also cause some disruptions in the human body.
First of all, antibiotics affect the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, but often harm other systems as well. Therefore, despite the successful treatment of the underlying disease, the patient may feel unwell and unpleasant symptoms.
Liver and kidneys
The liver is the main "filter" that protects the body from poisons and toxins. Antibiotics are dangerous for her because they can cause the destruction of her cells and disrupt the production of bile, glucose, vitamins and other vital substances and enzymes produced by her. Prolonged use of drugs can cause inflammation of the organ, and destroyed cells are restored with great difficulty.
The kidneys also perform a cleansing function. Antibacterial drugs have a detrimental effect on their inner epithelium, causing the death of the cells lining it. This disrupts the normal functioning of the kidneys, and they need some time to recover. If their work is disturbed, swelling of the extremities occurs, urination is disturbed.
Stomach and pancreas
After taking the tablets, stomach pain and nausea are sometimes felt, which are caused by damage to the gastric mucosa. Its long-term damage and irritation can lead to the formation of erosion (ulcers) on it. It is possible that when unpleasant symptoms appear, you will have to choose another medicine or inject the drug intravenously so that it immediately enters the bloodstream.
It is not recommended to take antibiotics on an empty stomach, as this contributes to even more irritation of its walls. During therapy, it is better to refrain from salty, sour, fried and other irritating foods. In addition, when exposed to the pancreas, acute pancreatitis may develop.
Intestinal microflora
The gut contains many bacteria that aid digestion. When taking antibacterial drugs, all microorganisms, both harmful and beneficial, die.
If the normal balance of microflora is not restored after medication, a person may suffer from dysbacteriosis, irregular stools, diarrhea or constipation. Immunity is reduced - it has been proven that it is 70% dependent on the state of the microflora and the work of the gastrointestinal tract.
Cardiovascular and nervous systems
The effect of antibiotics on the heart and nervous system is not as pronounced as on the gastrointestinal tract. But, according to recent research scientists, a long course of treatment slows down the formation of new brain cells and provokes memory problems. This is due to metabolic disorders, including as a result of the destruction of intestinal microflora.
Macrolides (clarithromycin, roxithromycin) are a group of drugs that have long been considered fairly harmless, but it turned out that they can be harmful to the heart. They increase its electrical activity and cause arrhythmia, which can lead to its sudden stop.
Ears
A certain group (aminoglycosides) can cause damage to the inner ear. Substances penetrate there with the blood stream, contributing to hearing impairment or loss, tinnitus, headaches. Similar symptoms are observed with otitis media.
Teeth
Tetracyclines are known to have negative effects on teeth. They form compounds with calcium, as a result of which the enamel becomes thinner and darker, and tooth hypersensitivity occurs.
A particularly strong negative effect is manifested in children (for this reason, it is now forbidden for younger patients to prescribe tetracycline drugs), however, drugs in this group, with prolonged use, can also harm an adult.
genitourinary system
In men, antibiotics can negatively affect potency and sperm quality by disrupting sperm production and thereby reducing the chances of conception. Therefore, after the end of therapy, it is desirable to make a spermogram to make sure that normal spermatogenesis is restored.
Planning a pregnancy is also undesirable when treating a woman with antibiotics. They do not affect the menstrual cycle, but they disrupt the natural process of egg formation and can cause miscarriage or pathology in the fetus. It is better to wait with conception until the end of the course of treatment and a few more weeks after it.
Harm during pregnancy
It is known that antibacterial drugs are prescribed for pregnant women only in exceptional cases, since there is always a risk of a negative impact on the fetus and problems in its development. The harm of antibiotics for a child is explained by the fact that they disrupt normal cell division.
Many medicines are also prohibited for women during breastfeeding, as they can be toxic to the fragile body of the baby.
Effects on joints in children and adolescents
The negative impact on the joints in children leads to the development of arthritis, a disease that usually affects older people. Therefore, drugs in childhood are prescribed with extreme caution and, if possible, no more than once a year.
Possible consequences of taking antibiotics
Therapy with antibacterial drugs, especially long-term, may lead to the occurrence of some undesirable consequences, including:
- Chair disorder. Diarrhea is caused by irritation of the intestinal wall. Dysbacteriosis can also occur, the symptoms of which include both diarrhea and constipation.
- Nausea and vomiting. They signal irritation of the gastric mucosa, which may be accompanied by bloating and abdominal pain. In addition, they, along with the appearance of edema and impaired urination, can be signs of kidney damage.
- fungal infection. Due to an imbalance in the microflora in the body, fungi can begin to multiply, the activity of which is normally suppressed by beneficial bacteria. The infection most often appears on the oral mucosa (stomatitis) or in the vagina in women. Symptoms are burning, itching, white coating in the mouth and tongue, with vaginal candidiasis in women - cheesy white or translucent discharge, while with vaginal dysbacteriosis they are brown.
- Weakening of immunity, which is caused primarily by the death of intestinal microflora. May be accompanied by weakness, drowsiness, increased fatigue and the development of side infections. In addition, antibiotics disrupt the acid-base balance (contribute to acidification of the body), and if the immune system is reduced, the risk of cancer increases.
- Superinfection. This is the reproduction of any microorganisms that are resistant to the antibiotic being taken. Its development is caused by the fact that the growth of harmful bacteria or fungi is no longer restrained by beneficial microflora, and resistance to the drug appears with prolonged use. Infections often develop in the urethra, bladder.
- An allergic reaction to a particular antibiotic or group of antibiotics. It manifests itself in skin rashes, redness of the skin, runny nose. A red tongue is also a symptom. Allergies can lead to more serious consequences, up to anaphylactic shock, if the medication is not stopped in time.
- Dizziness. May be a sign of the effect of the drug on the central nervous system or on the ears (in this case, there are also tinnitus and hearing impairment).
- Decreased effectiveness of contraceptives. To prevent unwanted pregnancy during therapy with certain antibiotics, it is better to use a barrier method of contraception.
How to Minimize Side Effects
The main rule to follow is that it is important to coordinate the intake of antibiotics with your doctor and inform him of all unpleasant symptoms. The duration of the course and dosage are also determined by the specialist. Under no circumstances should you take expired medicines.
The doctor must take into account the compatibility of prescribed antibiotics with other drugs that the patient takes for a long time. There is such a thing as antagonism - some drugs reduce the effect of each other on the body, as a result of which their intake becomes useless and even harmful.
Before, during and after the course of treatment, it is desirable to conduct a blood test for hemoglobin, the number of red blood cells and white blood cells, for ESR, etc., in order to monitor the main blood parameters. This will help to notice deviations in the work of the body in time.
Nutrition during antibiotic therapy should be regular. It is necessary to avoid spicy, too salty, fried foods, eat more fermented milk products and drink water more often. Drugs must be taken after meals, and not on an empty stomach.
Probiotics will help maintain normal microflora in the intestines while taking medications. These include both special products containing beneficial bacteria in large quantities, and fermented milk products. Sauerkraut, pickled vegetables, kombucha have a good effect, as they are rich in enzymes. Yogurt, kefir, cereals with milk, bread, vegetables and fruits (not sour), soups, steamed fish soften the stomach and eliminate unpleasant consequences.
Tips on how to support the body during antibiotic therapy:
- To restore the liver after treatment, use hepatoprotective agents containing phospholipids. These substances revive the cell membrane and bring liver cells back to normal. In order not to aggravate the harmful effects, alcohol and spicy foods should be completely excluded during and after the course of treatment. Milk thistle seeds and preparations based on them are very useful for the liver.
- To prevent a decrease in immunity, together with antibiotics, take immunomodulating agents, a complex of vitamins and minerals, prescribed by a specialist.
- If an allergic reaction occurs, immediately stop taking the drug and consult a doctor who will select another remedy, taking into account the characteristics of the body.
- If a fungal infection occurs, take antifungal drugs and probiotics to restore normal microflora.
- To restore the kidneys drink more fluids. You can also use decoctions of medicinal plants - staminate orthosiphon, wild rose. Warming should not be done, as it will only increase the load on the kidneys and can lead to the multiplication of microbes.
During pregnancy, the number of allowed antibiotics is very limited, so when the first signs of a bacterial infection appear, you should use "natural" help: use garlic, onions, ginger, honey, St. John's wort, horseradish, mustard.
Thus, after taking antibiotics, the body needs to be restored. Therefore, you should not take them without a good reason, “to strengthen immunity”, self-medicate. The use must be justified and, if possible, safe for health.
Antibiotics are drugs that are prescribed in severe cases of diseases caused by bacterial microorganisms. They can help avoid complications in angina, otitis media, pneumonia, purulent infectious processes. They are used when the human immune system can not cope with the causative agent of the disease. But the consequences of taking antibiotics sometimes themselves become the reason for taking medications.
Adverse reactions of antibiotics
Adverse reactions are disorders of the body caused by taking a drug. Antibiotics are often the cause of failures in the functioning of various organ systems. As a rule, their negative impact disappears after the end of the intake, but sometimes the body needs help in recovery. There are low-toxic groups of antibiotics, for example, penicillins, and potent drugs. But the degree of their influence also depends on the human body.
The negative impact of the antibiotic will be minimal if you follow the doctor's recommendations and follow the instructions for the drug. The doctor will determine the optimal dose, time and method of taking the medicine. You can help the body avoid side effects by observing the following rules for the use of antibiotics:
- take the drug regularly, at the allotted time;
- take a tablet with boiled or mineral water;
- do not eat fatty and fried foods, alcoholic beverages, stick to a light diet.
Digestive disorders and their consequences
Taking antibiotics may be accompanied by negative reactions from the organs of the gastrointestinal tract: flatulence, constipation, diarrhea, nausea. These side effects are common to many broad-spectrum drugs. They are caused by the irritating effect of the drug on the mucous surface of the digestive organs. Such disorders appear after taking antibiotics in the form of tablets or capsules. They can be avoided by taking the medicine after meals or by injection.
At the end of the course of antibiotic treatment, the work of the digestive system most often normalizes. If this did not happen, then the intestinal microflora was disturbed. This condition is called dysbiosis. It arises due to the fact that many antibiotics have a depressing effect not only on pathogenic microorganisms, but also on the natural inhabitants of the intestine, which are necessary for its normal functioning. Over time, dysbacteriosis goes away on its own. Special preparations - probiotics - will help to quickly restore the normal microflora of the body. Sometimes the doctor prescribes them immediately together with an antibiotic.
In addition to discomfort from the digestive system, dysbacteriosis can have more serious consequences for the body. It is in the intestines that, during the normal functioning of microorganisms, some vital vitamins and parahormones are synthesized: folic acid, biotin, vitamins of groups B and K, serotonin. Therefore, with dysbacteriosis, vitamin deficiency often develops, which negatively affects the work of various organs and systems. So, vitamin K deficiency causes nosebleeds, periodontitis, subcutaneous hemorrhages. To avoid this, multivitamin complexes are taken during antibiotic therapy.
Allergy
Before prescribing an antibiotic, the doctor must check with the patient about the presence of allergic reactions to drugs. But it happens that the patient was not aware of the immunity of a particular drug. Any antibiotic can cause allergies, but cephalosporins and penicillins are the most common. Allergy symptoms appear between 2 days and 2 weeks after the start of antibiotic therapy. The main ones are:
- skin hyperemia;
- rash;
- itching and burning;
- eczema;
- acne.
The greatest danger to the patient is presented by such manifestations of allergy as anaphylactic shock (causes suffocation), hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells - blood elements involved in oxygen metabolism), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (skin and mucous membranes are covered with blisters). These conditions can lead to death. Therefore, in case of any allergic reactions, the prescribed drug is replaced with an agent from another group of antibiotics.
Candidiasis
Taking antibiotics can disrupt the microflora not only in the intestines. Fungi of the genus Candida are natural inhabitants of the mucous surface of the vagina and mouth. In small quantities, they do not cause discomfort. The growth of their population is restrained by beneficial bacteria that also inhabit these mucous membranes. But if the bacteria die, the number of fungal organisms increases and the disease develops candidiasis, or thrush.
Symptoms of candidiasis are itching in the genital area, white cheesy discharge, unpleasant odor, pain during urination and sexual intercourse. If thrush occurs in the mouth, it appears as a white coating on the tongue, cheeks, and gums. Candidiasis develops both during and after antibiotics. For treatment, local antifungal drugs, as well as immunostimulating agents, are used.
Intoxication of internal organs
Antibiotics adversely affect the functioning of many organs. This happens both because of the toxic properties of the drug itself, and because of the poisoning of the body by particles of destroyed bacterial cells. Most of all, after a course of antibiotic therapy, the liver and kidneys suffer. Disruption of their work is manifested by the following symptoms:
- pain in the lumbar region;
- thirst;
- change in the amount of urine up or down;
- a blood test shows elevated levels of urea and creatinine;
- fever;
- jaundice;
- weakness and loss of appetite;
- dark urine, colorless feces.
Some antibacterial drugs have a particularly negative effect on the functioning of the nervous system. After taking them, you may feel sick and dizzy, sleep disturbances occur. The most serious consequences are nerve damage: auditory, visual, vestibular apparatus.
What should be done after taking antibiotics?
After completing the course of antibiotic treatment, it is necessary to restore the intestinal microflora. This will not only eliminate discomfort, but also normalize vitamin metabolism and the state of immunity. To do this, you should take probiotics - biological supplements containing beneficial microorganisms (bifidobacteria and lactobacilli). Examples of such drugs are linex, bifiform, acipol, hilak-forte.
In order for beneficial bacteria from probiotics to populate the intestines, it is necessary to adjust the diet. Every day you should eat foods rich in fiber, fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as dairy products. Probiotics can be taken for a long time, they will not harm the body. It is more effective to use them after completing a course of antibiotic therapy for several weeks. Some drugs contain beneficial bacteria that are not affected by antibiotics. They can be taken during the main treatment, for example, when it is long-term or there are already disorders of the digestive system.
Taking antibiotics, the consequences of which are very unpleasant for the body, should be under the supervision of a specialist. Then the harm of this category of drugs will be minimal.
Sometimes the use of antibiotics leads to serious disturbances in the functioning of organs and systems. To prevent this from happening, it is important to know in what situations you should refrain from taking antibiotics or ask your doctor to choose the most benign drug.
- drugs, without which you can not do in the fight against dangerous bacterial diseases. But in some cases, taking antibiotics can be harmful to health, causing serious disorders in the body.
Antibiotic (antibioticum) translated from Latin means "against life."
The first antibiotic (penicillin) obtained from mold had a narrow spectrum of activity and was safe for human health. However, modern antibiotics of a new generation kill all bacteria without exception that are in the body, including beneficial ones. After taking them, the microflora is disturbed, and the immune system is greatly weakened.
So that taking antibiotics does not worsen the patient's condition, it is important not only to observe the correct dosage, but also to have an idea about the possible consequences of treatment.
Antibiotics - benefits and harms, side effects
Antibacterial drugs are effective for:
- treatment of infectious diseases of the nasopharynx
- severe diseases of the skin (furunculosis, hydradenitis) and mucous membranes
- bronchitis and pneumonia
- infections of the genitourinary system
- severe poisoning
Often, antibiotics are used thoughtlessly and uncontrollably. There will be no benefit from such a “treatment”, but you can harm the body. Antibacterial drugs are absolutely ineffective in the treatment of viral diseases. For example, using them for the treatment of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza only adds to the burden on the body and makes it difficult to recover.
Side effects of antibiotic therapy:
- dysbacteriosis
- allergic manifestations
- toxic effect on the liver, kidneys, ENT organs
- development of microbial resistance to antibiotics
- intoxication of the body resulting from the death of microbes
- violation of the formation of immunity
- high chance of recurrence after antibiotic treatment ends
IMPORTANT: Long-term use of antibiotics will necessarily have side effects, the main of which is harm to the intestinal microflora.
Video: Antibiotics benefit and harm
How do antibiotics affect and act on viruses and inflammation?
Virus- a protein structure containing a nucleic acid inside. The viral envelope proteins serve as protection for the preservation of hereditary gene information. During reproduction, viruses reproduce copies of themselves, also equipped with parental genes. In order to multiply successfully, viruses have to make their way inside healthy cells.
If you try to act with an antibiotic on a virus-infected cell, nothing will happen to the virus, because the action of antibiotics is aimed solely at preventing the formation of a cell wall or suppressing protein biosynthesis. Since viruses do not have cell walls or ribosomes, the antibiotic will be absolutely useless.
In other words, the structure of viruses differs from the structure of antibiotic-sensitive bacteria, therefore, special antiviral drugs are used to suppress the work of viral proteins and interrupt their vital activity.
IMPORTANT: Doctors often prescribe antibiotics in the treatment of viral diseases. This is done to overcome the bacterial complication that occurs against the background of a viral disease.
How do antibiotics affect and act on the heart?
It is a mistake to think that taking antibiotics does not affect the state of the cardiovascular system. The proof of this is the results of an experiment conducted by Danish scientists in 1997-2011. During this time, researchers have processed the results of treatment of more than 5 million people.
For the experiment, volunteers aged 40 to 74 took antibiotics for 7 days, often used to treat bronchitis, pneumonia, and ENT infections. As a result of the experiment, it turned out that taking antibiotics such as roxithromycin and clarithromycin increases the risk of cardiac arrest by 75%.
IMPORTANT: In the course of the experiment, it turned out that penicillin is the least dangerous for the heart. Doctors should pay attention to this fact and, if possible, choose this drug for treatment.
In addition, antibiotics slightly increase the electrical activity of the heart, which can trigger arrhythmia.
How do antibiotics affect the intestinal microflora, protein digestion?
Antibiotics inhibit the growth of intestinal microflora, gradually destroying it. These drugs are hostile to intestinal bacteria and at the same time resistant to their influence. Thus, taking antibiotics is a step towards suppressing the vital activity of beneficial microbes and their death.
Normal microflora will not be able to recover immediately due to a "hole" in the immune system.
Against this background, new diseases often flare up, the normal functioning of systems, organs and tissues is disrupted.
All dietary macronutrients, including proteins, are digested in the upper small intestine. At the same time, a small amount of proteins enter the large intestine undigested. Here, undigested proteins are decomposed into amino acids with the help of microbes that inhabit the large intestine.
As a result of the breakdown of proteins in the large intestine, compounds dangerous to human health can be formed. Their number is so small that with normal microflora they do not have time to cause harm.
However, long-term use of antibiotics can reduce the diversity of the microbiome, making proteins harder to digest and slowing the elimination of harmful compounds from the gut.
Taking antibiotics disrupts the digestive tract How do antibiotics affect conception, spermogram, pregnancy, fetus?
Taking antibacterial drugs somewhat reduces, but does not exclude, the likelihood of pregnancy. If the body of the father or mother at the time of conception was affected by strong antibiotics, a miscarriage is likely to occur.
The greatest danger from antibiotics for the fetus is up to 13 weeks, the most negative period is 3-6 weeks. During this period, organs are formed in the child, and exposure to potent antibacterial drugs will provoke the development of pathologies in the fetus.
Taking antibiotics is the cause of inhibition of spermatogenesis. Male fertility is reduced for a long time if antibacterial drugs are taken at an early stage of spermatogenesis.
Video: The effect of antibiotics on spermograms
Against the background of antibiotics, spermatozoa in most cases are damaged and lose their mobility. These defects lead to spontaneous miscarriage if such spermatozoa took part in fertilization.
After taking antibiotics, it takes about 3 months for the sperm quality to recover and the spremogram to return to normal. It is through this time that it is permissible to plan a pregnancy. If the conception happened earlier and the development of the embryo proceeds without pathologies and deviations, then everything is in order with the sperm.
How do antibiotics affect breast milk?
If during breastfeeding a woman needs antibiotic therapy, then this type of treatment should not be abandoned. All antibiotics can be divided into 2 groups:
- permitted during lactation
- prohibited during lactation
The first group includes:
- Penicillins (Augmentin, Ospamox, etc.) - penetrate into breast milk in small concentrations, but can cause allergic reactions and cause loose stools in a child and mother.
- Macrolides (Erythromycin, Clarithromycin) - penetrate well into breast milk, but do not have a negative effect on the child's condition.
- Cefolasporins (Cefradin, Ceftriaxone) - penetrate milk in negligible doses, do not affect the growth and development of the child.
Antibiotics prohibited during breastfeeding include:
- Sulfonamides - disrupt the exchange of bilirubin in the body of an infant, which can cause the development of jaundice.
- Lincomycin - penetrates into milk in large quantities, disrupts the functioning of the intestines of the child.
- Tetracyclines - penetrate into milk, destroy the tooth enamel and bones of the baby.
- Aminoglycosides are highly toxic, adversely affect the state of the child's hearing organs and kidneys.
- Fluoroquinolones - penetrate into milk in quantities unsafe for the health of the child, disrupt the normal development of cartilage tissue.
- Clindomycin - causes the development of colitis.
If antibiotics of the second group are prescribed to a nursing mother, there can be no talk of any breastfeeding during the treatment period.
When taking drugs from the first group during breastfeeding, the following rules must be observed:
- tell the doctor that the baby is breastfeeding
- do not change the prescribed dose of the drug yourself
- take medicine immediately after breastfeeding
IMPORTANT: To ensure a supply of breast milk during treatment, express any excess after each feed and store in the freezer. After the end of the course of antibiotics, it will be possible to fully restore lactation.
Almost all antibiotics are excreted by the kidneys. Therefore, if their work changes even slightly, signs of intoxication are likely to appear in the body.
Aminoglycosides and tetracyclines can damage the kidney tissue. The risk is especially high in the case of combining drugs of these groups with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or hormonal drugs. Then, in the analysis of urine, the indicators of erythrocytes and leukocytes will be overestimated, which indicates the presence of an inflammatory process of the genitourinary system.
IMPORTANT: Some antibiotics can change the color of urine (rifampicin makes it bright orange, and nitroxoline makes it rich yellow) and contribute to the formation of kidney stones. During and after taking sulfonamides, ciprofloxacin and nitroxoline, epithelial cells, erythrocytes and protein are found in the urine.
Taking broad-spectrum antibiotics can cause the absence of urobilinogen in the urine.
Antibiotics cannot significantly affect the results of a general blood test. The only thing you should pay attention to is the ESR and the leukocyte formula. It is likely that these data will be somewhat distorted.
How do antibiotics affect hormones?
Certain medications can affect hormones, but antibiotics are not. Before taking tests for hormones or carrying out any treatment, it is necessary to warn the doctor about taking an antibacterial drug. But, unequivocally, the hormonal background will not change in any way from antibiotics of any group.
Antibiotics do not affect the menstrual cycle. It's easy enough to explain. The menstrual cycle has two phases. In the first phase, follicles mature in the ovary under the action of the pituitary gland. At the same time, the endometrium grows in the uterus under the influence of estrogens. The second phase is characterized by the release of luteotropic hormone in the pituitary gland and the appearance of a mature egg.
In addition to hormones, nothing can affect the process of egg maturation. Since hormones do not change from the action of antibacterial drugs, their intake will not affect the menstrual cycle.
How do antibiotics affect potency?
Serious antibiotics can adversely affect male potency. But if, after taking antibacterial drugs, a man notices a decrease in sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, which cause reluctance to have sex, then you should not worry too much. After a short period of time after the end of treatment, sexual life will return to normal.
IMPORTANT: Despite the fact that potency is restored almost immediately after the end of antibiotics, it will be necessary to wait a little while planning pregnancy. The qualitative composition of the sperm will be restored only 3 months after the end of treatment.
How do antibiotics affect the immune system?
Antibiotics kill indiscriminately the bacteria - both harmful and beneficial - that inhabit the intestines and maintain balance in the body. As a result, a serious failure occurs in the immune system.
The uncontrolled growth of yeast fungi disrupts the intestines - allergic reactions to food occur, intestinal permeability increases, diarrhea appears, and abdominal pain after eating. In women, thrush often develops against the background of taking strong antibiotics. At the same time, a general deterioration in well-being, lethargy and poor appetite are normal phenomena.
IMPORTANT: The immune system will suffer the more, the longer it will be affected by the antibiotic. In this case, the method of administration of the drug does not matter.
In order to somewhat soften the blow to immunity, it is recommended to strictly observe the dosage of the antibiotic and take the probiotics and vitamins prescribed by the doctor.
How do antibiotics affect blood pressure?
If the patient strictly follows the doctor's instructions, he will not notice any serious changes in his body while taking antibiotics. However, even a slight deviation from the rules for taking antibacterial drugs can lead to serious consequences.
So the pressure can rise sharply, and malfunctions will appear in the work of the cardiovascular system if, during antibiotic treatment, the patient consumed an alcoholic drink or added any drug on his own.
If the patient notes that each antibiotic is accompanied by a change in blood pressure, he should inform the doctor about this. Perhaps the prescribed treatment regimen needs to be adjusted.
How do antibiotics affect the stomach, pancreas?
The pancreas and stomach are the most sensitive organs to antibiotics. Violations in their work occur due to a decrease in the protective resident flora and an increase in the number of pathogenic microorganisms. As a result, a number of complex chemical reactions occur in the gastrointestinal tract, which are impossible in the case of normal functioning of organs.
IMPORTANT: Signs that negative changes have occurred in the gastrointestinal tract after taking antibiotics are stomach pain, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea. To minimize the risk of these side effects, probiotics are prescribed.
How do antibiotics affect the liver, kidneys?
Liver It is a kind of filter in the body. If the liver is absolutely healthy, for some time it will be able to withstand the increased load without any problems, neutralizing toxic substances. But if liver function is impaired, antibiotic therapy must necessarily be accompanied by the use of hepatoprotectors (Urosan, Gepabene, Karsil).
kidneys- an organ that cleanses the blood of harmful substances and maintains the acid-base balance in the body. With healthy kidneys, short-term use of antibiotics will not have a negative effect.
However, diseases of the urinary system or prolonged use of antibiotics can cause changes in the processes of excretion and absorption of chemical elements, the development of pathological reactions.
IMPORTANT: Signs that antibiotics have disrupted the functioning of the kidneys are lower back pain, changes in the amount and color of urine, fever.
How do antibiotics affect the nervous system?
To find out the effect of antibiotics on the nervous system, scientists at the Center for Molecular Medicine conducted a series of studies, which revealed the following:
- short-term use of antibiotics does not affect the functioning and condition of the nervous system
- prolonged use of antibiotics not only destroys intestinal bacteria, but also slows down
- production of brain cells, leading to memory impairment
- the restoration of the nervous system is facilitated by the intake of immunomodulators and probiotics during the recovery period, as well as exercise
Long-term use of antibiotics may impair memory How do antibiotics affect hearing?
Some antibiotics have been shown to accumulate in ear fluid and cause pathological changes leading to hearing loss and deafness. These drugs include:
- streptomycin
- kanamycin
- neomycin
- kanamycin
- gentamicin
- tobramycin
- amikacin
- netilmicin
- sisomycin
- tetracyclines
- erythromycin
- azithromycin
- vancomycin
- polymyxin B
- colistin
- gramicidin
- bacitracin
- mupirocin
The fact that the drugs have side effects in the form of hearing impairment is stated in the instructions for the medicine. However, they are widely used in therapeutic and pediatric practice.
How do antibiotics affect teeth?
To find out the effect of antibacterial drugs on the condition of the teeth, medical scientists from Finland conducted a series of experiments, as a result of which it turned out that:
- taking penicillin and macrolide in children from 1 to 3 years of age increases the risk of developing defects in their tooth enamel
- in school-age children, taking antibiotics in many cases leads to enamel demineralization
most often, demineralization occurs after taking antibiotics of the macrolide group (erythromycin, clarithromycin) - each new intake of antibacterial drugs increases the risk of developing enamel defects
- the result of frequent treatment of children with antibiotics is molar incisor hypomineralization and caries
- restoration of damaged teeth after a course of antibiotics is quickly destroyed
The negative effect of antibiotics on the tooth enamel of people over 14 years of age is not so pronounced, but their long-term use can also cause harm.
Long-term use of antibiotics lowers hemoglobin. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that the body is trying to recover on its own, consuming organic iron compounds for this. Iron is necessary for the formation of nuclei of leukocytes.
Accordingly, the more serious the treatment, the more antibiotics disrupt the functions of organs and systems, the more iron the body spends on attempts to restore.
Hemoglobin levels will return to normal faster if you add pomegranate, beef and dried apricots to the menu. Medicinal iron-containing preparations such as Ferrum Lek, Sorbifer, Totem and others will also help.
The rate at which antibiotics are eliminated from the body is affected by its form, group and route of administration. Many injectable drugs are excreted from the body after 8-12 hours after the last injection. Suspensions and tablets act in the body for 12-24 hours. The body fully recovers only after 3 months after treatment.
IMPORTANT: How long the drug will stay in the body depends on the age and condition of the patient. The withdrawal of antibiotics is slowed down in people suffering from diseases of the liver, genitourinary system, kidneys, as well as in young children.
To remove the antibiotic as soon as possible, you must:
- drink plenty of water and herbal teas
- restore liver function with drugs
- apply probiotics
- eat enough dairy products
How to cleanse and restore the body after antibiotics?
After the end of taking antibiotics, you need to take care of the restoration of the body. If this is not done, the emergence of a new disease is possible in the near future.
First of all, in order to exclude favorable conditions for the development of pathogenic flora, a diet should be organized. To do this, it is necessary to remove confectionery and bakery products, sugar, potatoes from the diet. Replace milk with fermented milk products containing bifidobacteria. Adhere to this diet for about 3 months.
Together with dietary nutrition, the recovery of the body is facilitated by the intake of immunomodulatory drugs, vitamin complexes and bacteriophages that suppress pathogenic flora.
Only an integrated approach can give a lasting positive result in solving the problem of cleansing and restoring the body after antibiotics.
Video: What happens after antibiotics?
At the first weather manifestations of the spring or autumn period in the form of slush, dampness, thaws and frosts, the number of people with a cold increases. At the same time, the use of antibiotics is on the rise. Often not at all on purpose.
Consequences of taking antibiotics without a doctor's prescription
The main goal of antibiotics is bacteria, which, when exposed to these drugs, die or lose their ability to reproduce. But, since each type of microorganism has its own preparation, the expediency of using the medicine in each specific case can only be determined by a specialist. So, for example, an antibiotic that kills streptococcus is absolutely useless in the fight against mycoplasma.You should not take antibiotics as an antipyretic or pain reliever for fever, if your joints, muscles, or head hurt. They also do not have an anti-inflammatory effect, so it makes no sense to take them for coughs or sore throats (with the exception of streptococcal tonsillitis). Antibiotics will not help in the treatment of chickenpox, measles or rubella. Antibiotics are absolutely useless in the fight against viruses that cause influenza or SARS.
Without a thorough understanding of the processes occurring in the body, it is impossible to accurately determine the dosage of the drug and the duration of the course of treatment. Prescribing a remedy to oneself after reading the annotation, or following the advice of friends, will not bring relief. The consequences of taking antibiotics in this case can be unpredictable, for example, short-term use of the drug in small doses can contribute to the emergence of resistant bacteria, which, having adapted to the antibiotic, become practically invulnerable. Thus, the treatment of the disease is seriously delayed, and the disease itself can become chronic.
In addition, prolonged use of antibiotics can affect the general state of immunity, in the early stages it can manifest itself as an allergen or change the intestinal flora, causing dysbacteriosis. To preserve or restore the intestinal flora, there are many preparations containing lacto- and bifidobacteria. It can be dairy products, powders or capsules.
The destruction or weakening of bacteria can provoke the active growth of fungi (candida). Which in turn will cause the development of stomatitis of intestinal diseases. The consequences of taking antibiotics in women is a violation of the microflora in intimate places, which in most cases leads to thrush. To avoid such problems, antifungal and antihistamine drugs are taken along with antibiotics. To better remove toxins from the body, you should drink more water (at least 2 liters during the day). You need to take care of good nutrition, with enough vitamins.
Self-medication can make a good and necessary medicine (which, of course, an antibiotic) useless, or worse, harmful. Before taking any drug, be sure to consult a doctor.
At present, the consequences of taking antibiotics and their overdose are well studied, harmful and beneficial properties of antibiotics have been identified. Many doctors still recommend keeping a couple of antibiotics in your first-aid kit just in case. But you should not take them at the first sneeze, especially stuffing them with a child. Primary disorders are manifested in 10-15% in the form of nausea, vomiting, loose stools.
A more severe consequence is anaphylactic shock. There is no need for medical assistance here. Therefore, you need to clearly know whether there is an allergic reaction to this drug or not, since the consequences of taking antibiotics by pregnant and lactating women can be unpredictable for the developing fetus.
Among all the varieties of antibiotics, there are 3 groups of drugs that should be used only in emergency conditions:
1. Levomycetin. When taking this medication, complete inhibition of hematopoietic processes in the bone marrow is possible. There are no safe analogues of chloramphenicol yet.
2. Moxifloxacin is a highly effective drug for respiratory infections. Antibiotic may cause cartilage damage in children and adolescents
3. Biseptol. The drug is able to inhibit the hematopoietic function. Often there are lesions of the skin and liver.
In conclusion, we can say that antibiotics are undoubtedly highly effective treatments. But the human body is able to quickly adapt to these effects and the functions of medicinal substances weaken. Therefore, it must be remembered that recovery depends not only on medicines, but also on the efforts of doctors and the patient himself.
