DiarrheaWhen taking antibiotics as a treatment for a bacterial infection, the last thing that you want is to add even more uncomfortable symptoms on top of the ones that you already have.  Yet many people are under the false impression that this is all part of the recovery process.  They suffer in silence as the antibiotics cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, flatulence, excess gas, and other negative side effects.  In the truly severe cases, some people even fall victim to C.Diff, a particularly nasty infection that leads to colitis or inflammation of the colon.

The Chairman of Family Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Michael Rabovsky, warns patients to be careful of overusing antibiotics.  While antibiotics are helpful in treating bacterial infections, patients should take the necessary precautions that will minimize or prevent the onset of these terrible side effects of diarrhea and other digestive disorders.  Dr. Rabovsky tells his patients that while antibiotics can successfully rid the body of “bad” bacteria that cause infections, they can simultaneously be killing the “good” bacteria in the intestinal tract that promote a healthy digestive system.

Probiotics as a Treatment Plan

At first glance, many people assume that the inclusion of probiotics into a patient’s treatment plan will only cancel out the progress that the antibiotics have already made.   But probiotics can be extremely beneficial.  Physicians often prescribe probiotics as a way to infuse the digestive system with new levels of “good” bacteria that can help boost the immune system and treat the negative side effects often associated with antibiotics.  Probiotics have absolutely no effect on the antibiotics themselves whatsoever.

Rabovsky notes that current medical research suggests that probiotics have proven very successful in treating diarrhea caused by both antibiotics and C. Diff.  They also work to alleviate the other possible negative side effects, including excess gas, flatulence, and abdominal cramps.   For patients who would rather get their probiotics more naturally, a simple change of diet might do the trick.

Probiotics in the Foods that you Eat

Many brands of yogurt contain healthy levels of probiotics.  Just look for the phrase “active and live cultures” on the label.  For patients on an antibiotic treatment plan, Dr. Rabovsky often recommends eating a serving or two per day of Greek yogurt to keep the diarrhea and other side effects from occurring.   He also recommends using a bit of common sense.  If dairy tends to cause cramping, bloating, and constipation, then stay away from them, especially when taking antibiotics.

And while fiber is generally considered good for the digestive system, you may need to reduce your fiber intake if diarrhea is one of the antibiotic side effects.  Check the label of your medications, and follow the recommendations.  Some antibiotics should be taken with food and others should be taken on an empty stomach.  Your pharmacist or prescribing physician will be happy to answer any of your questions, too.