Antibiotics are very powerful drugs that fight bacterial infections. Unfortunately, they often destroy beneficial bacteria as well as harmful ones. Taking probiotics to replace beneficial bacteria will help rebuild your immune system and treat side-effects associated with antibiotic usage. Although probiotics are generally regarded as safe, always consult your physician before taking any type of supplement.
Probiotics and Antibiotics
Although you can use probiotics during your antibiotic treatment, do not take the two at the same time. The National Institutes of Health recommends taking probiotics at least two hours before or after your antibiotics. Although probiotics don't hinder antibiotics, antibiotics make probiotics less effective. Just like different types of antibiotics destroy specific types of bacteria, probiotics are also strain-specific. Because there are more than 1,000 types of bacteria in your body, you'll need to know which species of beneficial bacteria you need.
Yeast Infections
Your body maintains a careful balance of bacteria. But when something upsets this balance -- such as using antibiotics -- certain opportunistic microbes can proliferate. Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungus that is normally kept in check by friendly bacteria. A candida overgrowth can cause vaginal yeast infections, jock itch, oral thrush, skin rashes and athlete's foot -- all types of yeast infections. Eating unsweetened yogurt which contains lactobacillus acidophilus or taking acidophilus supplements will help fight candida and prevent yeast infections associated with using antibiotics.
Diarrhea
One in five people may stop taking their prescribed antibiotic because of antibiotic-related diarrhea -- a common side effect. Lactobacillus GG, sold as Culturelle, is a specific strain of friendly bacteria that can help prevent or treat this type of diarrhea. Culturelle is also recommended for traveler's diarrhea. Look for a supplement that contains at least 10 billion live cells to be taken daily. Lactobacillus GG is safe for children -- but they only need half as much -- 5 billion live cells.
About Antibiotics
Antibiotics are very useful drugs -- but they only treat infections caused by bacteria and parasites. The flu, colds and coughs are often caused by a virus, and antibiotics are not effective against viruses. Use antibiotics only when necessary; overuse of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic-resistance. The more an antibiotic is used, the less effective it becomes. Antibiotic resistance may also be caused by not taking your full course of medication; because some of the bacteria survive, they may adapt to the antibiotic, making them harder to kill the next time.
