The Age of Antibiotics

Who out there has ever been sick and just wanted it to go away? <raising hand> Why is it when we are feeling sick, we rush to the doctor and expect them to write a script for antibiotics? 9 times out of 10, they willingly comply.

Unless your illness is bacterial, the antibiotics most likely aren't going to help. Viral infections need to "run their course", antibiotics won't kill a virus. In fact, they can actually make things worse if you don't truly need them. How you ask? Well...... biocides, which is what antibiotics are kill the bacteria in the body. The good and the bad. Biocides don’t have a brain so they can't decipher which is good and beneficial and which is bad and needs to go. That is why a savvy doctor will tell you to take a probiotic after taking a round of antibiotics to help restore the good bacteria in the gut. Or they may tell you to eat yogurt.

Also, don't forget when you really and truly need to have an antibiotic to treat a real bacterial infection, what your body has become accustomed to may not work. Which means the heavy hitters are prescribed which may have more or worse side effects. Could it be one of the antibiotics listed in this Webmd.com article, “Certain Antibiotics Tied to Deadly Heart Vessel Tears: FDA. (1) "Fluoroquinolones have been a mainstay of antibiotic therapy, particularly for upper respiratory conditions, and have been around for more than three decades. They include Cipro (ciprofloxacin), Levaquin (levofloxacin), Factive, (gemifloxacin), and Avelox ( moxifloxacin)."

Antibiotics affect your gut which is where about 80% of your immune system resides. If you haven't read my probiotic and digestive enzyme article, please do. Or my colostrum article, both talk about a healthy gut. If you do end up needing to take an antibiotic, you might want to have this info to heal the damage the medications do. If you have ever experienced diarrhea during or after taking antibiotics, you know that they affect the gut.

(photo source)

During the winter months when people are getting more and more colds, sinus and ear infections are common complaints. Sinusitis, which is an inflammation of the sinus cavities around the nasal passages is usually caused by a virus. It can hang on even after other upper respiratory and cold symptoms are gone. In some cases, bacteria, or very rarely fungus, may cause a sinus infection. More often than not, most sinus infections are viral.

How can you tell if your infection is bacterial or viral just based on symptoms? According to the Cleveland Clinic, "You can’t,” says Dr. Sindwani. “Symptoms like bad breath, yellow or green mucus, fever and headache are not reliable signs of a bacterial infection,” he says. “They can be present with viral infections, too. Even your doctor can’t tell if your infection is viral or bacterial based solely on symptoms or an exam.” Instead, your doctor looks at symptom duration to determine the source of your infection. A viral sinus infection will usually start to improve after five to seven days. A bacterial sinus infection will often persist for seven to 10 days or longer, and may actually worsen after seven days." (3)

According to Webmd.com "A virus generally causes an ear infection, in which case antibiotics won’t help. However, if your doctor thinks bacteria caused the infection they may prescribe antibiotics." (2) It can be a guessing game. I have even seen where if the patient is complaining enough they will get antibiotics just to appease them. This is a great time to look at homeopathy and chiropractic care.

If your doctor thinks an antibiotic is necessary, by all means, take the prescription if you feel it’s warranted. Listen to medical advice, they are the trained professionals. I listen, that's why I went to them in the first place. However, I ALWAYS ask if I can try and heal the source of the issue at home, if it isn't serious. Can I try a natural method? Will I be risking my life or anything if I wait a day or two and try to intervene naturally? Some doctors will roll their eyes at me and tell me it will not work. By the way, here is a prescription anyway. I graciously take the script. Others will be fine with me using alternative treatments. It’s your body, it’s your decision. ALWAYS ASK QUESTIONS.

Even pneumonia can be viral. So, with all the viruses out in the world, why are doctors prescribing for them when they don't help or work for that issue? This happened not too long ago to our 10 year old. On Mother's day he fell and hit his head on the driveway. I brought him to the doctor suspecting a concussion. She listened to his lungs and thought he may have a bacterial infection. She wanted to prescribe antibiotics. I said no. My compromise was an x-ray. I know, I know, that is equally as bad but, I wasn't leaving without a script or an x-ray. It was a viral infection so no antibiotics. Now I know that they could have done a simple blood test to rule out many things.

It happened to a family member, recently too. He got a cold and went to the doctor for sinus issues. It had only been about 4-5 days, too short of a duration to know if it was bacterial or viral. He was prescribed an antibiotic and took it. Was it viral or was it bacterial? I have no idea, but he's better now. With stomach imbalance.

Nothing is benign, there is risk and reward associated with everything. Unless an antibiotic is clearly indicated, chances are I am not taking it. If I am in the emergency room and need a shot of something to stay alive, well then I think it may be clearly indicated and I’ll do it. Then deal with the aftermath. Sadly, antibiotic use is what was the start of major food sensitivities and issues for me that lasted over 2 years. I battled it for far too long, but am finally better. All from taking amoxicillin for strep, that caused systemic candida where 3 rounds of Diflucan were prescribed. Knowing what can happen as the result of one prescription, next time things will be done very differently. This was 3 years ago. I have been battling a swollen lymph node and fluid in my ear ever since.

I hope this article has been beneficial to you. Please always do you research and ask questions. Get package inserts and know the risks. Many things like sinus issues, ear issues and basic colds can be helped tremendously with chiropractic care and homeopathy. Should you have any questions, please send me an email at melissa@sweetwillowspirit.com. Have a wonderful and healthy day!

Love and light,

Melissa

This information is not meant to take the place of diagnosis and treatment by a qualified medical practitioner. Since the actual use of this product by others is beyond our control, no expressed or implied guarantee as to the effects of their use can be given nor liability taken. Use at your own discretion. Any application of the recommendations is at the user’s risk. Sweet Willow Spirit, LLC disclaims any liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of this information and assumes no responsibility for any actions taken. This should not be used in place of traditional therapies but solely as a complementary means for bringing well-being. The FDA has not evaluated the statements on this website. No claims are made as to any medicinal value of any oil or healing modality.

(1) https://www.webmd.com/drug-medication/news/20181221/cipro-levaquin-tied-to-deadly-heart-vessel-tears?ecd=soc_fb_190113_cons_news_fluoroquinolonesaorticaneurysm&linkId=100000004633763&fbclid=IwAR1dYTo437lknF3VvGdGW30K0Z3_JMjo8VGwFdyhq7sxxgHIoTQ4ovDEBR4#1

(2) https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/ear-infection/understanding-otitis-media-treatment

(3) https://health.clevelandclinic.org/killer-sinus-infection-how-to-tell-if-yours-is-viral-or-bacterial/