Antibiotics are medications used to fight against bacteria and is the most important type of antibacterial agent for preventing and treating bacterial infections. All of us are well-acquainted with different antibiotics we have taken for various health purposes and its effects.
As much as antibiotics are effective and often lifesaving in some infectious cases, yet they’re not so reliable to fix all illness and can sometimes pose negative impact on human life. Some medications can become less effective or stop working at all. When an antibiotic losses its effect on strain of bacteria, those bacteria overpower the drug and become antibiotic resistant. Antibiotic resistance is rising as one of the world’s most pressing health problems.
Antibiotics can have negative aftermath if taken negligently. Some of the major side effects (short and long run) of Antibiotic abuse are:
- Severe Diarrhea, indigestion, Bloating, Cramps in stomach
- Appetite loss, Intense Uneasiness, Stomach Pain, Vomiting
- Fever, Mucus/blood clots in stool
- Fungal infections in body parts
- Itchiness, Abnormal soreness and swelling
- Stains on teeth
- Pain in bones
A key factor which promotes antibiotic resistance is the overuse of them. Anything in excess is harmful to your body and so is the case of antibiotics. Our bodies react to antibiotics in both positive as well as negative ways. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to one-third to one-half of antibiotic use in humans is unnecessary or inappropriate. This can easily lead to a life-threatening overdose.
One common mistake people make it that they take antibiotics for viral infections too. You need to remember that antibiotics are not effective for viral infections. They do not help in illness such as mononeucleosis, flu and colds. Taking an antibiotic pill for strep throat may work, but not for sore throats.
In order to avoid such misdirected treatments and their negative consequences, one must consume Antibiotics wisely and cautiously.
Consequences of Antibiotic Overuse/Resistance
If your body develops resistance to antibiotics, or unnecessary take them, you can be prone to various consequences. Medication-resistant infections include:
- More-serious illness
- Longer recovery
- More frequent or longer hospitalization
- More-expensive treatments
How to avoid Antibiotic Overuse?
In order to stay away from going over-the-top with Antibiotics and misusing them, you must adhere to some particulars written below-:
- Be sure whether the disease is caused due to Bacteria or Virus
- Strictly avoid taking antibiotics in the case of viral diseases
- Always follow the prescribed course given by your doctor
- Never keep antibiotics in reserve
- Take opinions i.e. consult more than one doctor before buying the prescribed antibiotics
Make appropriate use of antibiotics and get help from your doctor, making sure that the prescription is aligned with your condition. Enhancement in the discussion between you and the medical practitioner is a must. Urge your doctor to have an open conversation with you and address all your doubts about the quality/ threats that the antibiotic pose.
