Flu season is upon us! All those nasty flu viruses and infections are roaming the cities looking for their next victims. There are a lot of natural ways to treat the common cold, but when it comes to infections and bacteria, there is only one, and it’s not pretty: antibiotics. One day you have a sore throat and the next you get the biggest ear infection you’ve ever had and when that happens you need to go on antibiotics. Only take antibiotics under your doctor’s supervision, because if you don’t, you’ll not only endanger your own health, but you’ll be helping at making the viruses stronger and more pill resistant and that’s something nobody wants. There are several things you need to know when taking antibiotics, just to make sure you’re doing all the things in your power to get better.
10. Get Plenty of Rest
While you’re on antibiotics your body is weak, firstly because of the illness and secondly because the antibiotics will really tire your system because the pills fight the virus and bacteria. You may feel weak, dizzy and not yourself when on antibiotics. It is recommended that you stay in, drink plenty of fluids and don’t exhaust yourself. It’s only for a week or so, you deserve the rest.
9. Eat Well
Needless to say that you must eat well when taking antibiotics! Some people experience a hunger sensation when taking antibiotics, which is due to the potency of the pills taking a toll on the lining of the stomach. You may feel hungry right after eating, so make sure you stack up of fresh fruits and vegetables. No matter what you do, stay away from salty and fried foods. They’re not going to help your body recover from illness.
8. Tell Your Doctor Everything
It is very important that you tell your doctor everything when talking about your illness, symptoms and side effects. They have to know in order to make an educated decision about your dosage and choice of antibiotics. You can even tell them things that you don’t really think are relevant, such as weird pains or sensations that may not be connected to your disease. They might find a connection that you’re not seeing.
7. Protect Your Stomach
As we mentioned earlier the lining of the stomach gets abused by antibiotics, which can give you a hunger sensation or even an ulcer. Antibiotics are powerful drugs that aren’t to be toyed with and if you’re taking them, then you should use something that will protect your stomach, such as Omeprazole.
6. Mix and Match Pills
Be careful when you’re taking antibiotics with other pills. Do not take anything that hasn’t been approved by your doctor, because antibiotics can interact with other drugs, causing adverse reactions or causing them to lose their efficiency. Do not rely on the Internet with your searches and questions, ask your doctor!
5. To Drink or Not to Drink
One things you need to know when taking antibiotics is that most of the antibiotics are absolutely fine and safe with alcohol. That’s not to say that you should go down to your local pub every night, but if you were to have a couple of beers on Saturday night, that would be just fine. You’re not going to lessen the effects of the pills and you’re not going to have horrible adverse effects. The antibiotics which should NEVER be mixed with alcohol are tinidazole (Tindamax), metronidazole (Flagyl) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim). Any amount of alcohol in combination with these pills can result in serious side effects such as tachycardia, headache, vomiting and flushing.
4. Pay Attention to Side Effects
All drugs and pills have side effects, even something as innocuous as herbal teas have some side effects and when it comes to antibiotics you should prepare yourself for the worst and hope for the best. Some of the most common side effects of antibiotics are nausea, dizziness, yeast infection and diarrhea. Tell your physician if any side effects occur.
3. Do NOT Interrupt the Treatment
Antibiotics should not be taken for less than four days. If you start a treatment of antibiotics and you stop mid-treatment you’re doing more harm to your body than the virus or bacteria you’re trying to beat is doing. It’s because it takes time for antibiotics to kill the harmful little creepers and if you’re not doing the whole treatment, they’ll only get stronger and more resistant.
2. Take Probiotics
Our bodies are filled with probiotics. Some say that the probiotics in our bodies weigh more than our brain does. They’re tiny, little creatures that help keep our bodies healthy. They’re not only helping our stomach, but also our reproductive system, mouths and internal organs. Antibiotics (like the name suggests) will kill not only the harmful creatures, but also the good ones, thus creating an imbalance in our bodies that needs to be restored with the help of probiotic pills or foods (yogurt, ginger beer, kombucha and other fermented foods).
1. Watch Out for Yeast Infections
At least one in ten people will develop a yeast infection (Candida) while taking antibiotics. It happens for the reason stated above (the pills will disrupt the fine balance in your body and some bacteria gets to multiply like crazy). Talk to your doctor and treat the infection, because even if it’s not too bothersome, it’s still an infection.
How does your body react to antibiotics? Did you find our things you need to know when taking antibiotics helpful? Do you have any more tips for us? Drop us a line in the comment section below.
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