http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-dangers-of-antibiotics.html
The Dangers of Antibiotics
By Vicki Santillano, DivineCaroline
In the 1930s, a discovery was made that changed the medical world and our entire lives as a result. Sulfa drugs were unleashed as successful combatants against harmful bacteria, and the following decade, penicillin was developed to do the same. With these power antibiotics at their disposal, doctors were able to treat illnesses that had previously confounded them.
Fast-forward to many years later, when antibiotics of all kinds are now the go-to prescription for just about every illness. At this point, our reliance on them is more like abuse. Antibiotics are used all too commonly–most egregiously, for diseases they can’t even treat–and that’s resulting in their overall ineffectiveness. Not only does such frequent pill popping cause relatively unknown side effects, but it can become deadly on a global level if it continues unabated.
What They’re Really Good For
Antibiotics have prevented countless deaths since their creation, but even too much of a good thing can have disastrous results. The worst part is that most people, including some in the medical industry, aren’t fully aware of the problem. In March 2009, pharmacies around the U.S. gave away free antibiotics to promote health in cash-strapped times. Luckily, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stepped in and advised people against treating antibiotics like all-purpose medicine or, even worse, taking them like multivitamins.
Therein lies the biggest problem with antibiotics overuse–people think of them as wonder drugs that can heal anything. But they’re effective only against bacteria, so if someone has an ear infection, tuberculosis, or other bacterial infection, an antibiotic prescription makes sense. Antibiotics don’t have any effect on viral illnesses, which include colds and flu.
Unfortunately, this fact has been lost in a sea of misinformation. A survey that Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network conducted from 1998 to 1999 found that 32 percent of the population believed antibiotics should be taken for colds. Over half of those surveyed were unaware of any potential risks associated with them. But consumers aren’t the only ones perpetuating the myth–in 2001, over 31 percent of antibiotic prescriptions were for colds or sore throats.
A Newly Discovered Side Effect
Taking antibiotics isn’t always an easy process, especially for those especially sensitive to medication. Feeling nauseated or actually throwing up is fairly common when someone’s taking the pills, as are diarrhea and skin issues. Kidney stone development, an increased reaction to sunlight, and blood clot formations are much rarer but can occur, depending on the type of antibiotic prescribed. But a recent study suggests that there are even more dangerous side effects to worry about.
The study, sponsored by the CDC and published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, targeted a group of pregnant women. Researchers found that those with babies who had birth defects had a higher incidence of taking two types of antibiotics (sulfa drugs and nitrofurantoins) for urinary tract infections than mothers with unaffected babies did. The mothers taking sulfa drugs tended to have babies with weak hearts and brain illnesses, as well as smaller-than-average arms and legs. Nitrofurantoins were linked to heart issues and cleft palates.
More from Mel, selected from DivineCaroline (38 articles available)
related stories
-
(17 comments)
-
(15 comments)
-
(19 comments)
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
60 comments
add your comment »I like vitamin c and garlic...lots of tea also
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
intresting...thanks fir the info.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Few antibiotics actually work, anymore. Humans are effectively immune to the benefits, although the ANTI and BIOTIC part still damages millions per day. Whew. Let's stick with safer alternatives
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Oil of oregano (therapeutic-grade, also called physician-grade) rocks!
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
interesting
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Wish I had known this last summer , took 120 antibiotics , the lsecond last ones gave me a bladder infection , finally got the right ones . Iwas worried about all my good bacteria , doing fine now .
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
I try to take alternative medicine like at the health store.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
i`ve been using homeopathics,herbs,essential oils when infections come along and haven`t been ill for years.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
@Lynn N - couldn't have said it better. This article and the postings are just great because they succinctly nail this issue where it belongs, on a public bulletin board where people can rid themselves of the brain-dead belief that antibiotics promote life. Just look at the word, and understand it.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
The laziness and/or stupidity of people who use Rx antibiotics is staggering, especially for parents.
Physician-grade oil of oregano so far outperforms these horrific antibiotics that it's not a competitive decision.
As @casey makes reference to, antibiotics REQUIRE the use of good probiotics. Give me allicium, oil of oregano, and propolis any day. Have used them many times, with consistently great results. Stop being lazy! Learn more and you are likely to live more.
send green star
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: