Side
Effects of Antibiotics Taken for Sinus Infections
Some of the most popular antibiotics
are becoming increasingly ineffective on today’s “superbugs”
- bacteria which have become antibiotic resistant by in-breeding
and mutating into new forms. For example, the age-old respiratory
bacteria S. pneumoniae (Streptococcus pneumonia) and the
intestinal enterococcus and salmonella are now
all stubborn against a long list of antibiotics. This leads to the
search for stronger formulas.
As biotechnology has developed
stronger antibiotics, the more side effects they’ve produced
which can lead to other health problems, such as:
- Respiratory problems like bronchitis in patients
that never had it before
Worse future sinus infections
- Lower digestive upsets: diarrhea or constipation
(or alternating, such as in Irritable Bowel Syndrome), or colitis
- Upper digestive upsets: GERDS (gastro-esophageal
reflux), “leaky” gut
- Oral, intestinal or genital yeast and fungal
infection resulting from overgrowth of “candida”.
See the page “Sinus Infections,
Antibiotics and the Candida Connection”
- Allergic reactions such as rashes
- Nausea
- Headache
- Resistance to particular antibiotics when
really needed
WHY can these side effects result
from antibiotics?
In a person with an otherwise totally healthy system, none of these
things may happen. But if pre-disposed to immune deficiencies
due to auto-immune diseases (AIDS, MS, Lupus, etc), chemotherapy
for cancer, working in a toxic environment, lots of childhood illnesses,
taking continual anti-inflammatory drugs for arthritis, or having
previously taken many other rounds of antibiotics, a person is quite
susceptible to the above resulting symptoms and ailments.
Our bodies have a combination
of “good” bacteria - microscopic organisms called “gut
flora” - and a certain amount of “bad” bacteria
living in our digestive tract. When kept in proper balance, both
types of bacteria together give us a healthy immune system through
proper digestion of food, minerals, and vitamins and regular cleansing
and expelling of toxins and waste.
“Antibiotics”, as
the name itself indicates, while working to destroy the bacteria
which is making us sick, can also kill off our naturally grown good
bacteria. Of course, taking antibiotics is not the only way this
can happen, but it can be a contributing factor.
Can the destroyed good
bacteria ever be replaced?
YES. Tiny bacterial organisms known as “probiotics”
(most commonly heard of are bifidus and lactobacillus acidophilus,
but there are many varieties) can be bought at natural health stores
or from distributors like VÄXA. We currently manufacture a
probiotic product in capsule form, ReFlora+. It will duplicate and
replenish the good flora which normally inhabits the digestive tract.
Probiotics can be taken two to
three hours either before or after antibiotics without reducing
the effectiveness of the antibiotics. It can help manage the balance
of good versus bad bacteria and reduce side effects. Introducing
probiotics to your system will help fight the re-growth of bad bacteria,
and eventually your system will manufacture its own good bacteria
again.
Probiotics can and should also be taken regularly every day to maintain
good “gut health”, especially by people who have experienced
compromises of any sort. They have been found helpful in reducing
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), as it is bad bacteria
which often causes this.
Also, check out our VÄXAGreens,
VÄXA Digestin and VÄXA Buffer pH. These, in order, help
cleanse the colon, promote good digestion, and restore tissues by
reducing acidic build-up. This in turn increases good absorption
of the probiotic products.
To get fully educated on the many
sinus infection options available when antibiotics are not appropriate,
visit our Non-antibiotic Prescription
page and also Homeopathic
and Natural Remedies.
VÄXA is also introducing
a new nasal irrigation product, Sinus
Formula.
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