Side effects after taking antibiotics
The invention of antibiotics once became a real breakthrough in medicine. Antibiotics can be lifesaving, but they also have many side effects. How side effects appear after taking antibiotics and how to mitigate them, we will tell in this article.
The main side effects of antibiotics are associated with disruption of the digestive system.
The most common side effects of antibiotics
Antibiotics have a wide range of adverse reactions. They can be conditionally divided into several groups.
1. Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. They appear almost immediately after taking the medicine and stop at the end of the course. To get rid of these unpleasant consequences, you can replace the antibiotic in capsules or tablets with injections. Naturally, only a doctor can do this. Taking antibiotics on a full stomach will also help to improve your well-being, since food can protect the mucous membrane from direct contact with the medicine.
2. Intestinal dysbiosis. Antibiotics kill not only pathogenic, but also beneficial microbes, as a result of which the composition of the intestinal microflora is disrupted. Dysbacteriosis manifests itself in the form of diarrhea, flatulence and constipation. These symptoms appear several days after starting antibiotics and often do not go away after treatment is complete. To avoid dysbiosis, you need to drink drugs that normalize the intestinal microflora at the same time as taking the antibiotic. These include, for example, Linex, Hilak Forte.
3. Allergies. It can manifest itself as a rash and itching on the skin, hives, Quincke’s edema, or anaphylactic shock. If any symptoms of an allergic reaction appear, you should immediately consult a doctor who will either prescribe an antihistamine or replace the antibiotic.
4. Thrush (candidiasis). The disease appears when the composition of the microflora is disturbed, the active growth of Candida fungi begins in the body. Symptoms of thrush are white cheesy plaque in the mouth or genital area, as well as burning and itching. Thrush usually begins a couple of weeks after starting antibiotics. As a preventive measure, as well as for the treatment of thrush, it is recommended to take antifungal drugs or the use of topical antiseptics.
5. Toxic damage to the liver, kidneys and nervous system. Liver problems are indicated by a high fever, an icteric skin color, and discoloration of urine and stool. Renal damage is indicated by lower back pain, severe thirst, and a noticeable change in the amount of urine. Damage to the nervous system can manifest itself in the form of dizziness and headache. In severe cases, problems with hearing, vision and coordination are possible. To prescribe treatment, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
6. Hematological disorders. These are the most severe side effects after taking antibiotics. They can manifest as hemolytic anemia and require immediate medical attention.
Side effects of antibiotic treatment occur when different factors coincide, so the question of prescribing an antibiotic should only be taken by a doctor. In this case, the risk of adverse reactions will be minimal. Before taking an antibiotic, you must study the instructions in detail and follow them exactly.