Intestinal Infection Caused by Antibiotics

An intestinal infection can be caused by bacteria, virus, yeast, fungus, mold, intestinal parasites. Poor personal hygiene and bad eating habits can result in intestinal disorders. Intestines and urinary tracts are the most favorite sites of pathogens (harmful bacteria). Infection caused by these pathogens can be life-threatening in some cases. The severity of the infection may vary according to the types of the bacteria. Intestinal yeast infection is not detected until the yeast gets converted into fungi. If a person with poor dietary habits consumes a lot of antibiotics, a conducive and favorable environment for yeast to convert into fungi is created in the intestines. Thus, antibiotics can cause intestinal infection.

Causes of Intestinal Infection

Pathogens are the tiny organisms that affect the gastrointestinal tract inside the body and cause various diseases and infections within the stomach and intestines. Actually, your immune system is naturally strong enough to fight pathogens. But antibiotics prescribed for dozens of common ailments act as powerful immuno-suppressants.

There are helpful and harmful types of bacteria and helpful bacteria ensure that your body systems function well. Helpful or friendly bacteria are not intestinal parasites as they do not damage the digestive tract. They actually enhance your digestive health. Antibiotics are prescribed to kill harmful bacteria but while killing harmful bacteria, they also kill the friendly Lactobacillus from your intestines. Destruction of friendly bacteria severely impairs digestion and assimilation of nutrients at a time when your body needs them most. Poor nutrition leads to a weakened immune system. The environment created tends to be suitable for the fast growth of harmful bacteria. Thus, overuse of antibiotics or wrong way of consumption of antibiotics can cause intestinal infection.

Symptoms

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Bad breath
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Bloating, intestinal gases, dyspepsia
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Fever
• Malnutrition or vitamin deficiency

Treatment
If the balance of the bowel ecology is disrupted by antibiotics, serious health problems develop on a long term basis. The intestinal flora plays an important role in maintaining your body's chemical and hormonal balance. As antibiotics kill all the friendly bacteria, the friendly bacteria need to be replenished as soon as possible, in order to maintain good health. Low levels of friendly bacteria can be raised with the help of appropriate supplements and contributing foods. Negligence might create good breeding ground for future illnesses. Many important vitamins in the digestive tract are synthesized by the friendly bacteria, and these vitamins need to be replenished by consuming supplements.

You might have heard some of the beneficial bacteria names. Only Lactobacillus can keep candidiasis and other harmful yeast infections under control. Friendly bacteria help maintain the pH balance in the body. Correct range of pH is required for the health supporting bacteria to exist. pH balance can be restored with the help of a healthy diet. A diet consisting of lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grain products, which are rich in vitamins and minerals is essential to fight intestinal infection caused by antibiotics. A low sugar, low calorie, high fiber diet can improve the digestive health significantly.

A low carb diet is useful in controlling the production of harmful bacteria in the gut. Peppermint oil can help eradicate harmful bacteria in the small intestine. Intake of additional digestive enzymes and probiotics can curb the growth of harmful bacteria. Unsweetened yogurt is packed with friendly probiotics and it can effectively control the overgrowth of harmful bacteria. One capsule of peppermint oil after meals promotes fast recovery. However, excessive use of peppermint oil can result in certain side-effects such as heartburn, burning of rectum, and minty belching. Adding garlic to the diet can improve digestion. Other herbal remedies include the extract of grapefruit seeds, oregano oil, olive leaf extract and turmeric root extract. Intestinal infection caused by bacteria can be effectively treated with the help of these herbal remedies. You are expected to limit your intake of sweet food, high fat food and starchy substances. Then only, you will be able to experience a marked decline in diarrhea and other digestive disorders.

The intestinal flora helps maintain high energy levels, enhances immune function and destroys cancer causing compounds in the colon. The intestinal flora thus, determines your physical and mental health and well-being. It influences your metabolism, and indirectly determines your life span. Antibiotics can, in some cases, spare life but they should be used sparingly, under the guidance of your physician.