Antibiotics are medicines designed to cure bacteria-based illnesses and infections. Because of their effectiveness and popularity, many patients look to receive an antibiotic prescription for just about every illness they encounter. But the truth is that antibiotics have no affect on viruses like colds, flu, and bronchitis, and unnecessary use of antibiotics can actually decrease their effectiveness in the future when you REALLY need them.
Several factors affect the effectiveness of antibiotics. Below are a few things that can make antibiotics less effective:
- Repeated or improper use of prescription antibiotics
- Failure to complete a full cycle of antibiotics as prescribed by a physician
- Skipping a dose of antibiotics
- Over consumption of meat and dairy products containing antibiotics
- Overexposure to antibacterial soaps, sprays, gels and wipes
What are some things you can do to make sure antibiotics have a better chance of being effective when you need them?
Make an appointment with your primary care physician when you get sick, and if you are prescribed antibiotics, complete the full dosage. Make sure you actually SEE your physician, describe your symptoms in detail and allow your doctor’s office to perform proper diagnostics to determine if you actually need antibiotics. Sometimes physicians give in to pressures from their patients who demand antibiotics. Seek your doctor’s advice and treatment recommendations. If you get a prescription for antibiotics, follow the instructions and be sure to call your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Completing the full round of antibiotics and making sure you don’t skip any doses will help ensure maximum effectiveness and minimum resistance.
Lighten up on meat & dairy!
Mainstream meat and dairy industries have been using antibiotics as part of their regimen for years. Our continuous consumption of these foods have made us more resistant to antibiotic treatment. Free-range, organic and natural meat, poultry, egg and dairy choices are less likely to contain the antibiotics you don’t need. Many restaurants are starting to serve these products. Since one the most overly processed “meats” is chicken, popular chains like Arby’s, Chipotle and Panera Bread are serving a “natural” form, which is less likely to contain a high level of antibiotics. Chick-Fil-A has been serving “natural” chicken for years as well. However be careful of the high levels of MSG, which can cause migraine headaches and other health issues.
Don’t Over Clean!
Much like a vaccination, we need our body to be lightly exposed to dirt and germs in order to build immunity and strength. It is important to wash your hands and minimize your exposure to people who may be sick. However, you will receive more benefit if you use NON-anti-bacterial soaps on a regular basis, and only use gels and wipes when you are in a pinch or are exposed to the public. Using regular cleaners rather than anti-bacterial sprays in the kitchen and residential bathrooms is also a good idea. Your body has an amazing immune system which is able to fight off infection and bacteria much of the time. It even grows stronger with less exposure to antibiotics and anti-bacterial agents.
Beef Up Your Immune System!
Your immune system protects you against bacteria, infection, allergens, toxic chemicals and cancer cells every day. When your body is overexposed to any of these things, it can become weak and illness can occur. You can strengthen your immune system by minimizing exposure to chemicals, allergens, processed foods, stress, etc. as well as eating healthy, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of rest. A good multi-vitamin, and/or other supplements such as Zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Iron, B6 and B12 can also help build your immune system. Remember, not all supplements are the same, so ask your doctor for a recommendation of a supplement that will be bio-available (easily absorbed into your system).
If you don’t need antibiotics . . .
There are many things you can do to relieve cold symptoms, including:
- Over-the-counter medicines (as recommended by your doctor)
- Raising the humidity level with a hot shower, humidifier or vaporizer
- Drinking plenty of fluids (preferably non-sugary fluids because bacteria feed on sugars)
- Gargle with warm salt water
- Drink diluted apple cider vinegar
- Use saline-based nasal sprays
- Get plenty of rest
If “cold symptoms” persist for more than 3-5 days, see your doctor. Sometimes your symptoms could be an indicator of more serious illness and require professional treatment. |
A brief background on antibiotics . . .
The first antibiotic was penicillin, which was discovered in 1929. From there, various forms of antibiotics were developed to cure common diseases of the day. But even then scientists knew that the human body would eventually become resistant to antibiotics if overused, or that certain strains of bacteria would become resistant. That is why even today, new antibiotics are being developed.
According to Prairie Public Broadcasting, hospitals administer 190 million doses of antibiotics each day and over physicians prescribe over 133 million rounds of antibiotics each year. It is estimated that as many as 50% of these prescriptions could be unnecessarily prescribed for viral infections and colds.
If you don’t need antibiotics . . .
There are many things you can do to relieve cold symptoms, including:
- Over-the-counter medicines (as recommended by your doctor)
- Raising the humidity level with a hot shower, humidifier or vaporizer
- Drinking plenty of fluids (preferably non-sugary fluids because bacteria feed on sugars)
- Gargle with warm salt water
- Drink diluted apple cider vinegar
- Use saline-based nasal sprays
- Get plenty of rest
If “cold symptoms” persist for more than 3-5 days, see your doctor. Sometimes your symptoms could be an indicator of more serious illness and require professional treatment.
A brief background on antibiotics . . .
The first antibiotic was penicillin, which was discovered in 1929. From there, various forms of antibiotics were developed to cure common diseases of the day. But even then scientists knew that the human body would eventually become resistant to antibiotics if overused, or that certain strains of bacteria would become resistant. That is why even today, new antibiotics are being developed.
According to Prairie Public Broadcasting, hospitals administer 190 million doses of antibiotics each day and over physicians prescribe over 133 million rounds of antibiotics each year. It is estimated that as many as 50% of these prescriptions could be unnecessarily prescribed for viral infections and colds
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