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The Danger of Antibiotic Overuse

When it comes antibiotics, a majority of individuals are prescribed this form of medication to treat common viruses and virus symptoms. What patients don’t know, is that the use of antibiotics can cause severely damaging symptoms, and in some cases be fatal.

How Do Antibiotics Work?

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections consisting of gram positive or gram negative bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Klebsiella and many others. Over 90% of all antibiotic prescriptions written are actually used for non bacterial infections. Antibiotics are usually written for common colds, bronchitis, ear infections, UTI’s and skin infections to name a few.

In our office, we have never had one patient receive fluoroquinolone antibiotics for a confirmed bacterial infection through lab tests.  The majority of ER or Urgent Care antibiotic prescriptions are handed out like candy so the patient thinks something has been done for them, when in reality, they are hurting themselves the majority of the time.

Dangerous Bacteria And Virus Eradication

The dangers of antibiotics are becoming more evident in every study. Antibiotic damage is one of the world’s leading agents in health deterioration and can lead to fluoroquinolone toxicity and cipro toxicity. Antibiotics do not only eradicate bad bacteria, they also affect healthy cells as well. The overuse of antibiotics has led to widespread antibiotic resistance and recurrence of infections due to a hindered immune system. 

Every time you treat someone with antibiotics, they become more prone and susceptible to repeat infections, creating a vicious cycle.  

What is Antibiotics Overuse?

The overuse of antibiotics statistically worsen every year. This overuse is caused by everyone wanting a quick fix rather than naturally boosting their immune system the correct pathway for minimizing infections. Lab results for bacterial infections may take several days to return, so antibiotics are usually prescribed in the meantime just in case. In urgent cares, primary care doctor offices, surgery practices and ERs, the demanding pressure to avoid negative reviews leads to over prescription of antibiotics in case that 1/100 patient ends up with an infection and writes something negative. 

Additionally, doctors in America deal more with administrative work than caring for their patients, which leads them to write a prescription and make the patient happy. Parents are the worst culprit because they expect something written for their child who continues to feel sick. If parents avoided antibiotics for their children in the first place, their children would not be sick at such an alarming rate. The pressure placed on by parents, lack of patience, and the possibility of having an upset patient creates a disaster for the overuse of antibiotics in America.

What Happens When Antibiotics Get Overused?

When antibiotics are overused, the immune system weakens, leading to an increased risk of infection. Antibiotic resistance also takes place, so the next time you develop the same infection, that bacteria can mutate to be resistant to the same antibiotic, which can lead you to the rabbit hole of requiring more dangerous antibiotics in the future. 

Yeast infections like candida can arise due to the depletion of normal gut bacteria to offset the yeast. Women are then prescribed diflucan which is a fluoridated antifungal that can cause severe neurological side effects. Antibiotics must be used with caution and not taken for no reason or guess work. Medicine must be practiced correctly, and anyone using an antibiotic must have a confirmed bacterial infection. For some, the long term damage can be permanent. 

Side Effects of Antibiotics

  • Depression and Anxiety
  • Paranoia
  • Hallucinations
  • Panic attacks
  • Toxic psychosis
  • Phobias
  • Restlessness, nervousness, and agitation
  • Confusion and delirium
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Tendon pain
  • Muscle cramps
  • Nausea
  • Upset Stomach
  • Neuropathy
  • Diarrhea

How to Reverse Side Effects of Antibiotics?

To reverse the effects of antibiotics you must understand what is occurring on a cellular level. Antibiotics can lead to free radical damage of healthy cells. The most damaging antibiotics are the fluoroquinolones which contain a fluoride component. They can also chelate magnesium out of cells leading to muscle and tendon weakness. Proper detox is vital followed by reintroducing the nutrients and vitamins required to create new healthy cells. Our practice has seen success with an IRB approved Stem Cell Infusion Protocol that promotes growth factors and cytokines to areas of injury that have been damaged by antibiotics.

 

Side Effects Of Antibiotics

Is There a Safe Way To Consume Antibiotics?

The only way to prevent symptoms of antibiotics damage and antibiotic overuse is to stop taking antibiotics and consult an expert for alternatives. For safe measure, patients should stop taking antibiotics as soon as their infection has resolved or they realize through lab tests that they do not have a bacterial infection that requires antibiotics. Antibiotics are often times prescribed for longer than they are typically needed. Patients should be educated on combining natural methods of antibacterial activity in combination with antibiotics to reduce the length of antibiotics required and to help boost immunity.

Alternatives to Antibiotics

There are multiple alternatives to antibiotics, the most important key is to maintain your immune system when you are not sick so when you do come into contact with a foreign invader, your body can start fighting immediately. The key to boosting the immune system is Thymus Peptide Treatment. By boostign the T Cell response, bacteria and viruses are kept at bay from proliferating. 

Increasing Glutathione levels, the master antiboxidant of the body is vital to maintain and support a healthy immune system. Glutathione can deplete Zinc levels, so it is vital to maintain optimal zinc levels as well Oregano Oil and Olive Leaf extract have been shown to have potent antimicrobial activity. For acute cases, Ozone therapy has been shown through published studies to have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity, helping clear up infections quickly.

If you think you or someone you love, may have Fluoroquinolone Toxicity Syndrome or are living with ongoing symptoms similar to those caused by Cipro, Levaquin, or Avelox, or any other antibiotic please call Regenerative Medicine LA immediately or schedule a consultation online.

Lecture By Antibiotic Damage Expert, Dr. Ghalili, Warning The Dangers Of Antibiotics

Antibiotic Damage FAQ

Can Antibiotics Make You Feel Bad?

Yes, antibiotics may cause adduct formation to your DNA which can lead to permanent damage. Some antibiotics are more dangerous than others, however it is important to consider other medications that may be prescribed along with the antibiotics. Antibiotics combined with steroids or ibuprofen can be extremely harmful and cause cellular damage. Antibiotics have the capability to cause mild effects such as nausea, headache, and fatigue. Antibiotics in the fluoroquinolone family have been proven to cause permanent neuropathy, tendon ruptures, muscle wasting, suicidal thoughts, paranoid delusions, permanent disability, loss of the ability to walk, and the ability to change your life forever with one pill. THe reason this occurs is due to toxic aldehyde formation, peroxynitrite formation, free radical damage, and ultimately oxidative stress that leads to the death of healthy cells. 

Can Antibiotics Cause Hair Loss?

Antibiotics have the potential to cause hair loss by causing damage to the dermal layer in the hair cell. We know fluoroquinolone antibiotics impair collagen production and that collagen production can the dermis is a fibrous structure composed of collagen, elastic tissue, and other extracellular components that includes blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and glands. The role of the dermis is to support and protect the skin and deeper layers, assist in thermoregulation, and aid in sensation. If this dermal layer gets damaged, hair loss can ensue.

Can Antibiotics Cause Kidney Damage or Kidney Pain?

Antibiotics can have a detrimental effect on the kidney and must be used with caution in patients with reduced kidney function. Usually IV antibiotics can place the kidney at highest risk, especially strong antibiotics like vancomycin, daptomycin, zosyn, and even bactrim. It is important to speak with your doctor and have your kidney levels monitored if you will be receiving powerful antibiotics.

Can I Stop Taking Antibiotics if They’re Making Me Sick?

If you feel severely sick from your antibiotic, you must ask your physician who prescribed the antibiotic. If you are taking a fluoroquinolone, we recommend you stop no matter what your doctor says, because your doctor is likely uneducated and does not understand the implications of the black box warning. There will always be another safer option when it comes to fluoroquinolone antibiotics. 

Can Antibiotics Cause Permanent Damage?

Antibiotics in the fluoroquinolone family such as cipro, levaquin, avelox, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin can lead to permanent disability including neuropathy, muscle wasting, suicidal thoughts, tendon ruptures. The FDA has issued a black box warning on these antibiotics, however they are still prescribed over 20 million times annually with over 99.9% of these infections being administered incorrectly without a positive culture showing these will be the only viable option.

How Can I Ease The Side Effects of Antibiotics?

Speak to your functional medicine doctor who will actually believe you that an antibiotic has side effects. Using activated charcoal immediately after consuming an antibiotic if you consumed it by mistake might block the effects. Using magnesium in higher doses can help the impairment that antibiotics may cause.