If you are confused as to what an antibiotic is, then you must be wondering as to what they do, how they work and whether they are good or bad for you. Well, this article will help you understand all about antibiotics so that you can be aware of what they are, how they work and whether they are good or bad for you. So without further delay, let us begin!
An antibiotic is simply a kind of biological medication capable of killing microorganisms. Now, it is true that antibiotics are primarily used in the cure and prevention of infections, but they can also be used as an individual treatment to reduce the population of certain kinds of bacteria inside your body. Antibiotics are generally taken in order to prevent the spread of infections from one person to another. They can either inhibit the growth or kill off certain bacteria types. The most common antibiotics used to treat infections are tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, Erythromycin, or Cephalosporin.
Antibiotics are known to be extremely efficient in curing any kind of infection – not just infections of the skin. There are numerous indications where antibiotics are used in the cure and prevention of infections like sinusitis, tonsillitis, asthma, ear infections, urinary tract infections, postnasal drip, colds, flu and even antibiotic-induced diarrhea. However, there are several cases where the said antibiotics are not used because of a certain reason. One major reason why antibiotics are not usually used to cure infections is that the human immune system is weakened over time. Once the immune system is weakened, bacteria of all kinds can easily take the upper hand and cause infections.
In addition to weakened immunity, some medical conditions may also lead to the immune system’s failure. Patients who have undergone surgery, for instance, are often prescribed antibiotics to recover from certain surgeries. Unfortunately, these drugs may not be as effective as they are promoted to be. Aside from this, it may also harm the patient’s body in the long run.
In order to prevent any side effects from occurring, you should have an understanding of the different kinds of bacteria that cause infections. Once you are aware of these, then you should be able to identify whether you really need to use antibiotics. Some bacteria types produce toxins that can weaken your immune system. You should also know that antibiotics work by killing bacteria and suppressing their functions such as metabolism and digestion. This means that if you suppress bacteria, then you will also suppress other helpful bacteria in your body.
In conclusion, antibiotics can also have adverse effects on your health in the long run. In fact, it has already been proven that a person who is on antibiotics for a prolonged period of time is more prone to developing infections and allergies. It is also important that you choose the right kind of antibiotic depending on your health condition. You must know what you really need and how you can take advantage of antibiotics’ power so that you can achieve better health.