Should You Take Antibiotics?
THE IMPACT FROM ANTIBIOTICS
While antibiotics have undoubtedly revolutionized healthcare by saving countless lives from bacterial infections, their overuse poses significant long-term health risks. This article delves into the research findings on the repercussions of antibiotic overuse, highlighting the balance between immediate symptom relief and long-term health outcomes
THE ROLE OF MICROBIOME
The human body harbors a vast microbial ecosystem that plays a crucial role in maintaining health. These microbes aid in immune response, nutrient production, and communication with the nervous system. Antibiotics, while effective in reducing harmful bacteria, also disrupt this beneficial microbial life. This disruption can lead to long-term health issues, as the body’s natural defense and healing mechanisms are compromised.
LONG- TERM HEALTH OUTCOMES
Extensive research indicates that the use of antibiotics for routine infections can lead to adverse long-term health outcomes. Individuals who have taken multiple rounds of antibiotics throughout their lives exhibit higher all-cause mortality rates, increased instances of cancer, heart disease, and recurring infections. Additionally, there is a notable rise in mood disorders among these individuals.
For patients with COPD, antibiotics are regularly prescribed to reduce exacerbations and complications. Various treatment regimens, including continuous, intermittent, and pulsed antibiotics, are used.
A 2018 Cochrane review of 14 studies found:
” While continuous antibiotics were more effective in reducing symptoms than intermittent ones, they had no effect on hospitalizations, disease progression, or overall mortality. Essentially, these antibiotics suppressed symptoms but did not impact the long-term progression of the disease.” (1)
WHAT STUDIES SHOW
A common scenario in healthcare is the frequent prescription of antibiotics for conditions like acute sinusitis, especially among the elderly. However, evidence suggests that antibiotics often have no significant effect on the illness’s course.
Cochrane review found that 89-95% of adults treated with antibiotics for sinusitis did not recover faster than those given a placebo. (2)
PROPHYLACTIC ANTIBIOTICS
Prophylactic antibiotics, given before symptoms appear to prevent infections, are another common practice.
In a 2017 Cochrane review, they found that antibiotic prophylaxis decreased the incidence of cellulitis by 56% and recurrent cellulitis by 69%. However, the protective effect vanished once the antibiotics were withdrawn. This underscores the temporary nature of symptom suppression without addressing the underlying health issues. (3)
CONCUSION & KEY POINTS
- Symptom Suppression: Antibiotics often do not affect the course of illnesses like acute sinusitis and COPD but merely suppress symptoms.
- Long-term Risks: Antibiotic overuse is linked to higher mortality, cancer, heart disease, recurring infections, and mood disorders.
- Microbiome Disruption: Antibiotics disrupt the beneficial microbial life in our bodies, compromising our natural defense mechanisms.