Antibiotics: Curse or blessing?
Did you take an antibiotic some time ago and have noticed changes in your stool for weeks? Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections and are often necessary. Since the 1960s, they have frequently been used as a "cure-all," leading to the development of many new active ingredients. However, overuse leads to problems such as the development of resistance – certain bacteria can protect themselves and are not killed.
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Antibiotic Side Effects
In addition to the development of resistance, antibiotics can irritate the mucous membranes and affect the gastrointestinal tract. Nausea, abdominal pain, and changes in the gut microbiota also occur. Changes in healthy gut bacteria are often accompanied by diarrhea, which can appear weeks after therapy.
Probiotics: Small Helpers in Need
Probiotics are biologically active microorganisms that, when taken in sufficient amounts, promote health. In cases of diarrhea, especially antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), they can prevent symptoms and stabilize the gut flora.
Biologically active bacteria displace pathogenic bacteria on multiple levels:
- The pH in the gut is acidified by lactic acid.
- Competition for nutrients: Good bacteria deprive pathogenic bacteria of essential substrates.
- Competition for attachment to the intestinal wall: Antibiotics create "gaps" in the gut flora that pathogenic bacteria could occupy. Probiotics fill these gaps and prevent the spread of harmful bacteria.
Conclusion
Antibiotics are indispensable for bacterial infections, but they have often been used as a cure-all. This not only leads to resistance development but also disrupts the healthy bacterial balance in the gut. Affected individuals can experience diarrhea weeks after therapy. Probiotics provide relief when taken concurrently, at least two hours after antibiotics, and support the restoration of the gut microbiota.
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