Antibiotics Side Effects

Antibiotics have been widely used nowadays to cure many types of diseases. Health benefits of antibiotics are often emphasized, but this article will be focusing on the side effects of antibiotics which are not commonly known. Read on to know more about antibiotics side effects…
Antibiotics Side Effects
Antibiotics are compounds or products that prevent the growth and multiplication of harmful bacteria and other micro organisms in the body. They are used to cure the infectious diseases caused due to protozoans and fungi. Antibiotics may have been manufactured on a large scale just for the last few decades, but their use is not new to the health world. In fact, the use of antibiotics is prevalent since 2000 years in the Chinese medicine. Also, there are records of the use of plants and molds as antibiotics for the treatment of infections. Today, there are many antibiotics available that specialize in curing certain diseases, but of course very few are aware of the many side effects of antibiotics.

Some commonly available antibiotics are azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, amoxicillin, penicillins, trimethoprim and many more. Often, people tend to consume them carelessly and without knowing much about them. Over consumption of antibiotics may nullify their benefits and instead, lead to side effects. Read on more to know the side effects of antibiotics...

Antibiotics Side Effects
Some of the common side effects of antibiotics in men, women and children are discussed below.

Stomach Upset: Over dosage of any antibiotic has reported to lead to a mild stomach upset or abdominal cramps.

Diarrhea: In some cases, diarrhea along with the problem of soft stools is observed. Diarrhea is one of the most common side effects of antibiotics in children.

Allergic Reactions: Some people are not aware that they are allergic to antibiotics and therefore consume them carelessly without any medical consultation. Therefore, antibiotic allergic reactions such as itching, shortness of breath, swelling of the tongue and lips are observed in these people. In some cases, excess consumption also results in fainting.

Vaginal Itching: Side effects of antibiotics for women include vaginal itching in some cases, while vaginal discharge is observed in others.

Fever and Nausea: Apart from the above mentioned antibiotics side effects, some people also suffer from fever and nausea on account of the overuse of antibiotics.

Tendon Damage: Antibiotic side effects also include damage to the tendons, wherein the connecting fibrous tissue between muscles and the bones is damaged. There have been a few instances, where people have suffered from this problem. This might further result in muscle pain.

Well, these were some side effects of antibiotics. You must remember, the degree of these side effects might differ from person to person depending on his general health and capacity to fight diseases and disorders. I would suggest you to seek consultation from a specialist, as he will be able to tell you whether antibiotics suit your body and if yes, which. This is a safe practice to follow and thus avoid the long term side effects of antibiotics.

By Ujwal Deshmukh
Published: 8/28/2009
 
Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.
Your Comments:
Your Name:
Use the form below to email this article to your friends.
Recipient Email Address:
 Separate multiple email addresses by ;
Your Name:
Your Email Address: