7 things you need to know before taking antibiotics (slideshow)

3. They increase your risk of cancer

Overusing antibiotics can have deadly consequences…

And I’m not just talking about antibiotic resistance (we’ve all read the horror stories about MRSA, C-difficile and Candida).

I’m talking about one of the most life-threatening diseases around — cancer.

You see, in the past decade or two, several studies have linked antibiotic use to an increased risk of cancer.

• A 2004 study found a connection between antibiotic use and a higher risk of breast cancer.
  • A 2008 study linked antibiotic use to an increased risk of several types of cancer, including prostate, breast and lung cancer (it also found that antibiotic use was connected to an increased risk of dying from these cancers).
    • And a 2015 study linked specific types of antibiotics to an increased risk of stomach, lung, prostate and breast cancer.Read: Antibiotics kill bacteria but help colon polyps thrive
      

       

      4. They are sometimes worthless

      Millions of unnecessary antibiotic are prescribed each year. If you take antibiotics when you don’t actually need them they also can destroy your health and immunity.

      You probably know that antibiotics do nothing for illnesses caused by viruses. So then why do some doctors so often prescribe antibiotics for viral bronchitis? And, why do other doctors try to talk you out of getting a prescription for an antibiotic therapy?

      There is good reason for both approaches. But it’s important to consider the threat of antibiotic resistance when doling out antibiotics. When doctors prescribe them unnecessarily, and patients demand them when they aren’t warranted — or don’t take them as directed — it contributes to an already serious problem.

      Read: Taking antibiotics for sinus infections is probably worthless
      

      

      5. They can have severe side effects

      Some classes of antibiotics like fluoroquinolones have severe side effects. The common drugs in this class include Avelox, Cipro, and Levaquin.

      The side effects associated with these drugs can cause permanent damage. They are so severe that they contain an FDA black box warning on their packaging and patient inserts that state that these drugs can cause tendon damage and permanent peripheral neuropathy. That is nerve damage that causes tingling, numbness, pain, weakness and change in sensation.

      These drugs may exacerbate muscle weakness in people with myasthenia gravis. They can also cause tendon rupture and joint swelling, skin reactions, loss of memory and even psychosis. Additional side effects can include kidney damage, vision problems, retinal detachment, hearing problems and heart damage.

      These side effects are certainly not what the doctor prescribed and are on top of the gastrointestinal effects associated with these and other antibiotics.

      Read: Do the benefits of taking prescription drugs outweigh the risks of not taking them?
      

      

      6. There are other options

      Sometimes during a cold or flu — or any time your immune system is stressed — an opportunistic bacterium gains a foothold. So it’s a good idea to stock up on natural antibacterial ingredients just in case. These natural agents can support overall immune health in addition to fighting bad bacteria — very different from antibiotic drugs which weaken your system by destroying healthy bacteria as well.

      Since it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference between a viral infection and a bacterial infection, it’s important to consult your health practitioner if symptoms persist.

      Herbs and foods with natural antibiotic and immune-boosting properties include cinnamon, clove, echinacea, garlic, honey, sage, usnea, yarrow and oregano.

      

      7. If you have to take them…

      If you have a serious bacterial infection, antibiotics may be necessary to help your body recover. But if you take those drugs, there’s a natural supplement you should also take to avoid uncomfortable side effects.

      Taking antibiotics can cause diarrhea when the drugs kill off the friendly bacteria in your digestive tract. A growing body of research, however, has firmly established that you may be able to restore the good bugs by taking probiotic supplements or eating fermented foods (like sauerkraut) in between your doses of antibiotics. They’re particularly helpful for alleviating diarrhea caused by antibiotics.

      Experts advise taking probiotics supplements a few hours after taking antibiotics so that the medicine doesn’t kill the helpful organisms in the supplements.

      Read: If You Take Antibiotics, Take This Supplement, Too
      

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