Acidophilus Side Effects

Although the term 'acidophilus' might be difficult to pronounce, one will certainly not mind, once the benefits of this medicine are known. Acidophilus is basically the name of a bacterium that grows in our body. More precisely, it is a 'friendly' or 'good' bacteria that chooses the intestines as their home ground. These micro-organisms (probiotics) are also found in a large number in the digestive tract and the vagina. Cultured dairy products like yogurt, and fermented products such as sauerkraut are natural sources of acidophilus.

Benefits of Acidophilus
Acidophilus, available at various health stores in the form of tablets, pills or capsules, is prescribed to keep the intestines healthy, and free from harmful bacteria. Many doctors recommend the use of acidophilus supplements (tablets) along with antibiotic treatment, as oral antibiotics cause significant reduction in the friendly bacteria (acidophilus). Acidophilus, also referred to as L.acidophilus, is also used in the treatment of yeast and urinary tract infections.

Acidophilus Side Effects

Abdominal Discomfort: This is the most common problem faced by many, when taking this product. The abdominal pain is mild, that lasts for a short duration.

Bloating: Some people taking this product complain about stomach bloating, which is a minor problem and gets resolved on its own without any medical treatment.

Digestive Issues: People using acidophilus also complain about gas buildup in the stomach. This increase in gas, accompanied by stomach discomfort, may be experienced initially but these side effects last only for a short time.

Diarrhea: Those put on acidophilus, may experience diarrhea, for a few days. However, there is nothing to worry about, as it indicates that medicines is working by retarding the growth of 'bad' bacteria in the intestine.

Acidophilus and Yogurt
Instead of taking acidophilus in supplemental form, one can always obtain it by having homemade yogurt. This is one of the best ways to keep its side effects at bay. The bacteria are naturally found in homemade yogurt. You may also find different brands selling acidophilus yogurt. Your body might not be able to tolerate but its side effects are unlikely to occur when consumed through yogurt.

Things to Keep In Mind
Though the benefits of acidophilus outweigh the potential side effects, there are a few instances when this treatment option can be harmful or dangerous to undergo. The following things should be kept in mind before opting for acidophilus use, in order to avoid serious health issues.

• Infections involving the heart valves have also been reported. Doctors assert that people who have artificial heart valves are likely to suffer from this type of infection.
• Some women have experienced a burning sensation near the vagina when using this medicinal product.
• People allergic to acidophilus should not consume it. This is because allergic reactions caused by acidophilus can bring about serious damage to the skin. Serious side effects include the presence of rashes or hives on the skin. The itchiness and dryness of the skin may go away only when the medicine is discontinued.
• People with impaired immune system or who have just recovered from a serious illness need to stay away from this product.
• A suppressed immune system due to diseases or treatments like chemotherapy, may not be able to tolerate acidophilus, leading to serious infections.
• Research is also yet to prove the safety of this medicine for pregnant women. So, avoiding this product during pregnancy would be the best option.

Caution
Although side effects are not worrisome, one need. to understand that acidophilus bacteria can be troublesome for people with a suppressed immune system. Acidophilus is a friendly bacteria but if its population increases indiscriminately (which is possible in case of compromised immune system) it is detrimental to health. Many say that the friendly bacteria is not harmful, but that is true only if it resides in the intestines and not anywhere else. However, when a part of the intestine is damaged, it may enter the bloodstream and cause serious infection. So, if the side effects are recurring and bothersome, stopping the supplement at the earliest is the need of the hour.

A point to note is that acidophilus supplements haven't yet received any FDA approval. So before using these medicines, consultation with a doctor is essential. Overall, unwanted effects from acidophilus supplements are mild but people with existing health problems such as intestinal damage or stomach problems, need to avoid intake of acidophilus tablets or capsules. Also, purchasing these medicines from a reliable source can significantly decrease the risk of side effects.