Causes and treatment of diarrhea after antibiotic therapy. Can you have diarrhea after taking antibiotics? Diarrhea from antibiotics what to take

An antibiotic is a drug designed to slow down the growth of microbial flora. The drug has a bactericidal effect, which determines the ability to create conditions where the existence of microbial cells is impossible. The bactericidal action is the reason that the antibiotic is used in the treatment of these diseases:

• gastrointestinal tract;
• skin;
• urinary organs;
• ENT organs;
• respiratory organs.

Antibiotics are effective for treating infectious diseases. However, like many drugs, antibiotics have side effects (starting with mild nausea, ending with kidney and liver failure). The most unpleasant secondary effect when taking antibiotics is that drugs cause.

Due to their effectiveness, antibiotics are often used to treat various diseases. More and more people began to self-medicate using the drug. If you use the medicine too often, its effectiveness drops, the human body gets used to it and stops responding to the active substance. With independent use of the drug, it is often used incorrectly, which provokes the appearance of side effects after antibiotics.

A common side effect of antibiotics is antibiotic-associated diarrhea, the occurrence of which is due to the regular use of penicillins, cephalosporins, or a number of drugs at the same time. There are other reasons for loose stools after taking this drug.

The first reason that diarrhea can begin is intestinal dysbacteriosis (disorder). The occurrence is due to the use of antibiotics of the aminoglycoside groups, tetracyclines.

The human body contains bacteria that occur against the background of taking antibiotics when the microflora changes. The antimicrobial drug destroys the necessary bacteria responsible for the vital activity of the stomach (bifidobacteria, lactobacilli) along with harmful bacteria (pathogenic flora). Due to the imbalance of harmful microorganisms, there are predominantly more beneficial ones. The urge to defecate occurs due to stimulation of the smooth muscles of the intestine.

The laxative effect of the drug

If the diarrhea started due to antibiotics, a laxative drug may have been used. This secondary action lasts a couple of days. This side effect is typical for drugs that enhance intestinal motility, for example, the macrolide group.

Pseudomembranous ulcerative colitis

One of the causes of diarrhea from taking antibiotics is considered. The appearance is due to prolonged use of the drug or the use of one type of antibiotic. The pathogenic microorganism Clostridium difficile causes harm to the body, it is difficult for the human body to get rid of the microbe. The microorganism Clostridium difficile is resistant to antimicrobial drugs.

Pseudomembranous ulcerative colitis is usually considered a separate disease, it is characterized by the following symptoms:

• copious, loose stools;
• bowel movements up to 30 times a day (greenish discharge, putrid odor);
• increased body temperature;
• weakness of the body, dizziness;
• I have a stomachache;
• migraine;
• vomit.

If the described symptoms appear, you should immediately contact a medical facility. Ignoring the disease will lead to the development of complications, dehydration.

Diarrhea treatment

The appearance of diarrhea is observed at the beginning of the use of antibiotics and throughout treatment. For the treatment of diarrhea, medical, folk methods are used. For recovery, an integrated approach is used, including the use of restorative drugs and a specially designed dietary regimen.

Diarrhea associated with the use of antibiotics should be treated quickly and in a timely manner. When the first symptoms appear, you should immediately visit a doctor. The most dangerous thing in such a situation is to be treated on your own. Such actions are accompanied by complications in the form of side effects.

First aid

First of all, with diarrhea that appeared from antibiotics, it is necessary to interrupt the use of the medicine. The age of the patient affects the method of treatment. Depending on the age category, the treatment differs:

Pharmacy medicines

Medications are prescribed by the attending doctor. An independent course of treatment can harm a person, causing complications. They prescribe means that normalize the work of the intestines, due to the beneficial microflora contained in them. Means prevent diarrhea, restore intestinal microflora. Which medication to prescribe, the doctor decides. The doctor starts from the present symptoms, diseases, the patient's condition. The most effective medicines:

• Loperamide. It is prescribed for severe diarrhea. Differs in speed. Available in the form of tablets, capsules and drops. It is allowed to take children over 4 years old, women during pregnancy.
• Bifidumbacterin. A similar remedy, but the effect occurs after 2-3 applications. Suitable for treating children.
• Linex. One of the most popular treatments for diarrhea. Differs in the efficiency, safety. Effective from the first day of use.
• Imodium. A quick remedy to cure diarrhea, it helps within an hour after application. Available in tablets. It has contraindications: children under 6 years of age, pregnant and lactating women, individual intolerance to the components.

Folk medicines

From the daily diet, you need to exclude products:

• fiber;
• semi-finished products;
• margarine;
• sausages;
• canned food;
• all kinds of sweets.

The diet is observed until the signs of the disease disappear completely.

Rules for taking antibiotics

Most often, a deterioration in well-being in people appears if medicines are used incorrectly. For this reason, you should remember the rules of application:

• take into account the recommendations of the doctor;
• read the instructions, follow the recommendations;
• use the appropriate dosage (frequent use causes side effects);
• during the use of medications (especially after injections), it is desirable to reduce physical and psychological stress (avoid stress, intense physical exertion).

To prevent the occurrence of loose stools, an adult consumes probiotics.

Follow the rules for taking antibiotics and remember: the sooner you start treatment, the sooner recovery will come. Be healthy!

The concept of recovery from antibiotics appeared when the era of widespread use of antibiotics began. Antibiotics not only saved the lives of millions of people, but also began to have unwanted side effects, such as diarrhea (diarrhea) and colitis (inflammation of the intestine), associated with changes in the intestinal microflora.

Rice. 1. The total area of ​​​​the intestine (its inner surface) in adults is approximately 200 m 2.

Diarrhea and colitis after antibiotics

When treated with antibiotics, the number of microbes sensitive to them decreases and the growth of normal bacteria is inhibited. The number of antibiotic-resistant strains is on the rise. Conditionally pathogenic bacteria multiply intensively and begin to acquire properties that damage the macroorganism.

Clostridia, staphylococci, proteus, enterococci, klebsiella and yeast-like fungi are the most well-known representatives of the pathogenic intestinal flora. In most cases of diarrhea that occurs after antibiotics, the leading place is occupied by clostridia ( Clostridium difficile). The frequency of their defeat is:

• 15 to 30% of cases with antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD);
• 50 to 75% of cases in antibiotic-associated colitis;
• up to 90% of cases with pseudomembranous colitis.

Rice. 2. In the photo of Clostridium difficile under a microscope.

Rice. 3. The photo shows a colony of Clostridium difficile.

The cause of diarrhea (diarrhea) and colitis is a violation of the intestinal microbiocenosis (intestinal dysbacteriosis). The growth of pathogenic bacteria leads to damage to the intestinal wall and increased secretion of electrolytes and water.

The intestinal microflora is involved in the utilization of fiber. As a result of this process, short-chain fatty acids are formed - a source of energy for the intestinal mucosa.

With an insufficient amount of fiber in the human diet, the trophism (nutrition) of intestinal tissues is disrupted, which leads to increased permeability of the intestinal barrier to toxins and pathogenic microbial flora.

Enzymes produced by the intestinal microflora are involved in the process of splitting bile acids. After release into the gastrointestinal tract, secondary bile acids are reabsorbed, and a small amount (5-15%) is excreted with feces, participating in the formation and promotion of feces, preventing their dehydration.

If there are too many bacteria in the intestines, then bile acids begin to break down prematurely, which leads to secretory diarrhea (diarrhea) and steatorrhea (excretion of increased fat).

All of the above factors form:

• Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is the most common complication of antibiotic treatment in adults. The incidence of this complication ranges from 5 to 25% in people taking antibiotics;
• the development of colitis is somewhat less common;
• a rare but formidable disease that develops after antibiotics is pseudomembranous colitis.

Rice. 4. The photo shows a normal intestinal wall (histological preparation).

Antibiotics that cause diarrhea

Penicillins

Penicillins of earlier generations (ampicillin, benzylpenicillin) more often affect the intestinal microflora. The use of modern penicillins does not lead to the development of clostridia, the main culprits of pseudomembranous colitis.

Cephalosporins

Most cephalosporins promote the growth of enterobacteria and clostridia. Cefaclor and cefradin do not affect the intestinal biocenosis.

Erythromycin

M-cells of the epithelium of the small intestine produce the hormone motilin, which affects intestinal motility, promoting the movement of food through the digestive tract. Erythromycin stimulates the production of motilin, thereby accelerating the emptying of the stomach and intestines, which is manifested by diarrhea (diarrhea).

clavulanic acid

Clavulanic acid, which is part of many antibiotics (amoxiclav, amoxicillin / clavulanate), also stimulates intestinal motility.

Tetracycline and neomycin negatively affect the intestinal epithelium, having a direct toxic effect.

Fluoroquinolones

Antibiotics of this group inhibit the growth of normal intestinal microflora, but do not promote the growth of clostridia.

Lincomycin

If a patient has loose stools for 2 days in a row, two days after the start of antibiotics and up to 2 months after stopping them, antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) occurs. This condition means that the patient has undergone pathological changes in the composition of the intestinal microflora (intestinal dysbacteriosis). Its frequency ranges from 5 to 25% among patients treated with antibiotics.

If diarrhea occurs with symptoms of intoxication and high leukocytosis, then clostridia should be considered the cause.

Rice. 5. The bulk of the intestinal microflora is concentrated in the parietal zone of the intestine.

At risk for developing antibiotic-associated diarrhea are:

• children aged from 2 months. up to 2 years old and adults over 65 years old,
• patients with diseases of the stomach and intestines,
• patients who were treated with antibiotics for more than 3 days,
• use in the treatment of a large number of antibiotics,
• severe immunodeficiency.

Uncontrolled use of antibiotics contributes to the development of dysbacteriosis and increases the allergization of the body. The route of administration of antibiotics and their dosage does not affect the risk of developing diarrhea after antibiotics. Cases are described when diarrhea developed even after a single dose.

Symptoms of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and colitis

The clinical picture of dysbacteriosis after antibiotics has a wide range of manifestations - from minimal to life-threatening. In 70% of patients, symptoms of the disease appear during the treatment period. In 30% of patients - after the end of treatment.

• Initially loose stools (diarrhea) without any impurities. Often resolves on its own in 3 to 4 days. Sometimes the patient is disturbed by cramping pains in the abdomen. The general condition of the patient is quite satisfactory. Endoscopic picture in AAD without pathology. With the development of colitis, inflammation of the intestinal wall (edema and hyperemia) is noted.
• With the negative development of the disease, the severity of the process increases, symptoms such as fever appear, stool becomes more frequent, the level of leukocytes in the blood rises, leukocytes appear in the feces, pseudomembranous colitis gradually develops, caused by clostridia.

Asymptomatic course of dysbacteriosis → antibiotic-associated (diarrhea or diarrhea) → colitis → pseudomembranous colitis.

Pseudomembranous colitis is an extreme form of clostridial infection.

Pseudomembranous colitis after antibiotics

Pseudomembranous colitis often develops during antibiotic treatment, less often after 7-10 days after their cancellation. It is based on the activation of pathogenic flora and, first of all, clostridia ( Clostridium difficile). Cases of the development of colitis as a result of the reproduction of staphylococci, Klebsiella, Salmonella and fungi of the genus Candida are described. Of all pseudomembranous colitis, antibiotic-associated colitis accounts for 60 to 85% of adults.

Clostridia produce toxins that lead to inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. Contacts between cells (enterocytes) are disrupted, which leads to an increase in the permeability of the intestinal wall with the subsequent development of symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, convulsions. The inflammatory process is localized more often in the large intestine, less often in the small intestine.

Rice. 6. The photo shows a classic "volcano" lesion in pseudomembranous colitis (histological picture). The process of exudation went beyond the mucous ulcer, the process of formation of fibrous films begins. Symptoms of the disease during this period are rapidly increasing.

Signs and symptoms of pseudomembranous colitis

The disease is characterized by loose, scanty watery stools with a frequency of 10 to 30 times a day, abdominal pain and fever. The diarrhea persists for 8 to 10 weeks. Persistent diarrhea leads to loss of electrolytes and water. The volume of circulating blood decreases, blood pressure decreases. Severe dehydration develops. A decrease in the level of albumin in the blood leads to the development of peripheral edema.

Leukocytosis in the blood reaches 15 10 9 /l. In some cases, higher rates are noted. A decrease in the number of leukocytes is recorded in patients who underwent chemotherapy for cancer. The large intestine becomes damaged, expands (toxic expansion), and perforates. If timely and adequate assistance is not provided, the disease often ends in the death of the patient.

Endoscopic picture

With diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics, endoscopy does not reveal any changes. With the development of colitis, catarrhal inflammation first appears. Further, against the background of hyperemia and edema of the intestinal wall, erosions appear.

When endoscopy with pseudomembranous colitis on the intestinal mucosa, fibrinous films (pseumomembranes) are noted, which are formed in areas of mucosal necrosis. Fibrinous films have a pale yellowish color, often ribbon-like. Their size is from 0.5 to 2 cm in diameter. The intestinal epithelium is absent in places. With the development of the disease, bare areas and areas covered with films expand and occupy a large area of ​​​​the intestine.

Rice. 7. The photo shows pseudomembranous colitis. Yellowish fibrous films (pseudomembranes) are visible.

CT scan

Computed tomography revealed a thickened wall of the large intestine.

Complications

Infectious-toxic shock, perforation of the large intestine and peritonitis are formidable complications of pseudomembranous colitis in adults. With their development, conventional therapy is powerless. Removing part of the intestine is the only treatment.

The fulminant form of the disease in half of the cases ends in death.

Diagnosis of the disease

Diagnosis of the disease is based on the determination of enterotoxins A and B of Clostridium difficile in the feces.

The latex agglutination test is a qualitative method for diagnosing pseudomembranous colitis. It allows you to detect the presence of enterotoxin A in feces within one hour. Its sensitivity and specificity is high and is more than 80%.

Rice. 8. In the photo, a view of the intestine with pseudomembranous colitis. Ribbon-shaped pseudomembranes are visible, covering a large area of ​​the intestine (gross specimen).

Treatment of pseudomembranous colitis

The antimicrobials vancomycin and metronidazole are the drugs of choice for the treatment of pseudomembranous colitis in adults.

findings

Intestinal dysbacteriosis is a background condition that occurs for a variety of reasons. Almost every person during his life is faced with dysbacteriosis. In most cases, this condition occurs without visible symptoms and passes without a trace without treatment, without disturbing the general well-being. With a negative development of the situation, symptoms appear, the main of which are diarrhea (diarrhea). One of the reasons for the development of dysbacteriosis is the use of antibiotics.

Antibiotics are prescribed only by a doctor, it is he who will select the correct single daily and course dose of the drug. Read the instructions carefully before taking the medicine.

How often have you taken antibiotics without a doctor's prescription? Have you had trouble stools (diarrhea) after taking antibiotics?

Every person in his life is faced with various diseases. Some diseases cannot be cured without antibiotics. These are strong medicines that destroy not only pathogenic bacteria, but also useful microorganisms necessary for normal functioning. Violation of the intestinal microflora leads to an imbalance, which is manifested by diarrhea. Loose stools can be triggered by numerous factors during illness. Prolonged diarrhea after antibiotics is especially common.

Causes of diarrhea

Diarrhea after taking medications from the group of antibiotics develops due to a number of factors that provoke the disorder:

1. Imbalance of intestinal microflora;
2. Acute intestinal infection;
3. The peculiarity of the composition of the drug, which has a laxative effect during treatment;
4. Intolerance to a specific antibiotic.

Most often, the first two causes are diagnosed at once. Some bacteria living in the intestinal cavity can only be activated after the start of medication. This immediately changes the microflora in the intestine and enhances its motility. Antibiotics further disrupt the normal state, which leads to the development of diarrhea. There is a significant reduction in the number of beneficial bacteria and the rapid reproduction of pathogens. The fact is that antibacterial drugs destroy not only harmful, but also beneficial bacteria. The list of useful ones includes lacto and bifidobacteria. There are two groups of drugs that prevent the restoration of normal balance. These include aminoglycosides and tetracyclines. The list of drugs that cause diarrhea includes:

Laxative effect of antibiotics

The laxative effect that the drug can have will be observed on the first or second day after the start of therapy. If the pathological condition begins much later or even after the course of therapy, then this does not apply to the laxative effect, but indicates a disturbed microflora. In this case, a mandatory restoration of balance is required. If after treatment with antibacterial drugs, the patient is in a satisfactory state of health, then self-restoration of the microflora is possible. The body will need up to two weeks for this process. If the doctor prescribed several antibacterial drugs at once, then the risk of prolonged diarrhea after taking antibiotics increases several times. An important role is played by the form of release of the active substance. Loose stools are most commonly seen after taking oral medications such as capsules and tablets.

Symptoms requiring special attention

Against the background of antibiotic treatment, along with diarrhea, concomitant symptoms may be observed. These include:

It should be noted that in most cases, increased loose stools are observed against the background of other diseases, which also lead to intoxication of the body. With the help of diarrhea, the human body tries to urgently remove all harmful substances and bacteria from the body.

Pseudomembranous colitis

The use of drugs from the group of antibiotics, a decrease in the number of beneficial bacteria, can be aggravated by the ingestion of a microorganism called Clostridium difficile in the intestines. As a result, pseudomembranous colitis develops. In this case, resistance of pathogenic microflora to many antibacterial drugs is observed. As a result, ulcerative colitis develops, which is accompanied by the following symptoms:

1. After antibiotics severe diarrhea;
2. The need to empty the intestines up to 30 times a day;
3. Increased body temperature;
4. feeling of weakness;
5. Pain in the abdomen.

Treatment Methods

If severe diarrhea is observed after antibiotics, then treatment should be started. Preparations are used to restore microflora. Probiotics are prescribed, Bifidumbacterin, Linex, Imodium,. It is necessary to follow a diet. If a child has an illness, then medical assistance is required. Infants need to call an ambulance. For adults, it is allowed. Treatment with aminoglycosides and tetracyclines is absolutely excluded. This can only make the situation worse.

You can get rid of diarrhea after antibiotics in a short time only thanks to a diet and medicines that restore microflora. For high-quality and proper treatment, it is required to seek help from a qualified specialist from the first days of the onset of the disease.

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea- This is diarrhea that begins after a course of antibiotic treatment. WHO has defined such criteria: watery loose stools 3 or more times a day for 2 or more days in a row, and diarrhea is associated with antibiotics. The time criterion is 8 weeks, that is, if diarrhea occurs within 2 months after the use of antibiotics, it is considered associated with them. The average frequency of this syndrome is in adults from 5 to 35%, in children up to 40%. The syndrome increases the duration of hospitalization, the frequency of complications, nosocomial infections, worsens the course of the underlying disease in elderly patients.

First of all, you need to understand that antibiotic-associated diarrhea has 4 concurrent mechanisms:

1. Osmotic or hyperosmolar - reduces the number of anaerobic bacteria, which reduces the breakdown of carbohydrates. Undigested carbohydrates attract water into the intestinal lumen.
2. Hypermotor - due to the pharmacological properties of antibiotics. Medicines stimulate the so-called motilin receptors, due to which food is evacuated from the stomach faster and the intestines “fly by”.
3. Secretory - drugs increase the accumulation of bile acids, and this enhances the release of water and chlorine into the cavity of the large intestine. In addition, reverse absorption of sodium and water is disrupted, which dramatically increases the amount of intestinal contents.
4. Violation of the composition of microflora - quantitative and qualitative. The protective function of the mucosa is reduced, and conditionally pathogenic bacteria begin to grow rapidly. Clostridia, candida, staphylococcus, salmonella and others are actively developing.

These mechanisms are always present, but it is impossible to independently determine which of them prevails. In any case, there is a loss of fluid, salts and electrolytes, and intoxication with the waste products of bacteria develops.

Stop diarrhea on your own and quickly, most likely, will not work. But on the first day it is desirable to restore the water-electrolyte balance and reduce intoxication.

First aid

Without fear, before visiting a doctor, you can use two groups of drugs:

• oral rehydrants;
• enterosorbents.

registrants

This is a powder or dry mixture of salts and electrolytes that must be dissolved in water and drunk in several doses. 2 drugs are registered in the pharmacopoeia: Regidron® and Trihydrosol®, all the rest - Gastrolit, Maratonic, Orsol, Humana Electrolyte and the like - are classified as dietary supplements.

The use of these drugs stops dehydration, prevents heart rhythm disturbances and a host of other troubles.

If a pharmacy is not available, then the simplest rehydrating solution can be prepared independently according to WHO recommendations: for 1 liter of water, 1 incomplete teaspoon (3 g) of salt and 1 incomplete tablespoon (18 g) of sugar.

Enterosorbents

Drugs that bind, retain and remove toxic substances and gases from the intestinal lumen. The variety of sorbents is great, the most famous and used longer than others is activated carbon. You can use others if they are at hand: Lactofiltrum, Polysorb, Polyphepan, Filtrum-Stee, Enterosgel, Enterumin and the like.

Any intestinal sorbent not only removes toxic metabolic products, but also creates unfavorable conditions for life, which in itself significantly improves the condition.

However, for recovery, you need to start restoring the population of normal intestinal microflora.

Methods for restoring intestinal microflora

You need to do this on the recommendation of your doctor, at the same time. You need to start the course only after the end of antibiotics, otherwise it is useless. When the response of the analysis comes, preparations for restoring microflora can be adjusted.

The pharmacy chain sells 3 groups of drugs for this: pro-, pre- and synbiotics. The purpose and effect of drugs is different.

Probiotics

Specially isolated strains of live intestinal bacteria that live in the intestines of a healthy person. Their functions: the breakdown and digestion of food, the production of vitamins, the synthesis of lactic acid, which stops the growth of pathogens. Probiotics perfectly neutralize toxic substances and protect the body from infection.

Pharmacies sell both official (registered in the state pharmacopoeia) drugs and dietary supplements. It is better to give preference to drugs, since they undergo a full cycle of clinical trials, first on animals, and then on volunteers. Their action is fully studied and the result is guaranteed.

All drugs in this group are produced in a shell that is resistant to the action of gastric hydrochloric acid so that the bacteria reach the intestines alive.

All probiotics can be divided into 4 generations:

For successful treatment, you need to take medication for at least 2 weeks. If the stool remains unstable, then it is better to take the drugs for a full month.

The microflora cannot be restored at once, some of the "settlers" die, others need time to reproduce and adapt to specific conditions of existence.

These are substances that reach the large intestine unchanged. They roam in the large intestine, providing nutrients. These are milk and soy proteins, various saccharides, amino acids, enzymes, fatty and organic acids.

It is not necessary to use drugs to “feed” the beneficial bacteria. Prebiotics are found in foods, primarily dairy products, the best of which are natural yogurt. Daily consumption of only these products will ensure stable digestion at any age.

There are many prebiotics in bread and cereals, corn flakes, onions, chicory, peas and beans, garlic and asparagus, bananas.

The pharmacy chain sells such medicines:

Synbiotics

• Bifiliz - a lyophilisate for the preparation of a suspension, consisting of bifidobacteria and lysozyme or an antibacterial substance;
• BAA Normobact (Poland) - powder in a sachet, consisting of lactobacilli, maltodextrin, oligosaccharyls and silicon dioxide;
• BAA Vitabs BIO with bifidobacteria;
• BAA Baktistatin - gelatin capsules: culture liquid of bacteria, soy flour hydrolyzate and zeolite.

Nutrition

Basic principles

• Fractionality - the intake of food should be frequent, and the volume should be small. Optimally - about 200 ml (glass) every 3 hours.
• Sufficient calorie content - for a healthy person ranges from 2000 calories per day. During the recovery period, it is desirable to avoid physical and emotional overload.
• Ballast substances or fiber - are not digested and have no energy value, but ensure the promotion of the food bolus. Fiber begins to be consumed after diarrhea stops. The best "ballast" is dried prunes and dried apricots, as well as coarse vegetables (beets, broccoli).
• Viscous dishes - mashed potatoes and cereals, dishes with tannin - tea, cocoa, blueberries, bird cherry.
• Refusal of alcohol, soda, fast food, snacks, canned food and marinades, confectionery.

Products

When is it not necessary to take measures to restore the microflora?

If there is no diarrhea after antibiotics, then you should not worry. This means that the entire amount of the antibacterial agent has been spent on the destruction of pathogenic bacteria, and the composition of the microflora has not changed. However, you need to adhere to the time frame indicated by WHO - diarrhea after antibiotics should not be within two months.

Possible Consequences of Diarrhea After Antibiotics

Dehydration

Dehydration is eliminated quite simply, but you need to drink not plain water, but rehydrating solutions that keep it in the bloodstream.

Pseudomembranous colitis

- a dangerous disease when spores or Clostridium difficile settle in the colon. These bacteria develop only when normal inhabitants are forced out of the colon, and this happened a long time ago. Rough plaques, areas of necrosis (death), ulcers and perforations are formed on the mucosa.

In severe cases, gastrointestinal disorders are accompanied by cardiovascular and electrolyte disorders. It is possible to save a life only in half of the cases with the help of a surgical operation, which consists in removing the affected area.

Pseudomembranous colitis develops in elderly and debilitated patients, which significantly worsens the prognosis.

Each of us can face such a problem as diarrhea. An unpleasant phenomenon can completely incapacitate and chain you to bed, or rather, to the toilet. And since a busy work schedule does not provide for such a “vacation”, many are ready to use any potent drugs, if only to return to their usual way of life as soon as possible. An antibiotic for adult diarrhea is the very first choice, and usually a person does not first visit a doctor. The result is two problems instead of one. Today, our goal is to analyze in detail the mechanism of action of antibiotics in diarrhea, as well as to discuss the reasonableness of such treatment.

This is a condition in which frequent bowel movements are noted, while the person experiences pain and discomfort, and the stool becomes watery. This condition can lead to dehydration, so treatment should not be delayed. But one should not accept what has turned up under the arm either. An antibiotic for diarrhea in adults helps, but only if certain bacteria have become the cause of its development. In all other cases, it will only aggravate the situation.

Causes of diarrhea

Diarrhea is a consequence of improper functioning of the intestinal tract. As a result, the digestive process is accelerated, which leads to thin bowel movements and frequent bowel movements. But the reasons for this condition can be very different. In this case, an antibiotic for diarrhea in adults is used only in some cases. You are unlikely to be able to determine the cause without a special examination and tests, so be sure to consult a doctor first. Do not forget that diarrhea is not a disease, but only a symptom of it.

We listen to our body

Are you suffering from abdominal pain? The causes of diarrhea can be various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. However, they usually do not appear suddenly. If you regularly or periodically have problems with the intestines, digestion, etc., but you still put off going to the gastroenterologist, it is not surprising that at one "perfect" moment, severe diarrhea begins. In this state of affairs, immediate consultation with a specialist is necessary. Diarrhea can be a symptom of ulcerative colitis. In this case, an antibiotic for diarrhea in adults helps only as part of complex therapy, so you need to undergo an examination and get a prescription from your doctor.

Other options

Diarrhea is a symptom that accompanies dozens of diseases. To quickly get rid of painful diarrhea, you need to know exactly what caused it. We list the main reasons below.

The main reason is infection with pathogenic microorganisms. They can enter the intestines with unboiled water, unwashed foods, if personal hygiene is not observed. In this case, specific symptoms are observed. It can be profuse bloody or green discharge mixed with mucus. Often there is a high fever and vomiting.

It should not be forgotten that the appearance of blood is a very alarming symptom that requires immediate diagnosis. It may indicate hemorrhoids and bowel cancer, Crohn's disease. In this case, you cannot self-medicate.

If there is no time to go to the hospital

Banal indigestion, few people perceive as a serious disease. If you do not have severe pain, but there is a greenish discharge, without blood and mucus, then at first you can try the classical methods of therapy. However, remember that if diarrhea continues on the second day, then you need to see a doctor for a more effective treatment. Which antibiotic for diarrhea in an adult to choose is difficult to answer unambiguously. We present only well-known drugs for informational purposes.

• The most effective remedy is Levomycitin. This is one of the best antibacterial drugs, acting against a large number of infectious pathogens belonging to various groups. You need to take it 2-3 times a day, 1 tablet. The duration of therapy is up to a week.
• "Amoxicillin" is an antibacterial agent that has proven itself in the fight against various intestinal infections. Take 2 tablets 3-4 times a day.
• Metronidazole is another broad-spectrum agent against many different pathogens. Take it twice a day.
• "Ciprofloxacin" is a very strong drug against pathogenic microorganisms that cause diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and the genitourinary system. It is recommended to take for 5 days.

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Remember that the effect of the antibiotic should be noticeable during the first day. If time passes and there is no improvement, this means that you have chosen the wrong path: either the drug is chosen incorrectly, or the cause of diarrhea is completely different. In this case, be sure to consult a doctor.

Diarrhea after antibiotics in an adult

This problem is not rare. If the drug is chosen incorrectly or an overdose of antibiotics has been observed, unpleasant consequences will appear in a few days. Long-term use of antibacterial agents, even justified and recommended by the attending physician, leads to the death of the entire microflora. The drugs do not care whether beneficial or harmful bacteria live in your intestines, so after the course it will take a long time to restore the natural microflora. It is not for nothing that, in parallel with the treatment with these drugs, doctors prescribe prebiotics and probiotics.

It turns out a very interesting thing: you take drugs in order to get rid of diarrhea. As a result, all beneficial bacteria in the intestine die, and diarrhea develops when an antibiotic is taken by an adult. What to do next? In fact, this outcome can be predicted in advance, as there are certain risk factors.

Don't rush to take antibiotics

It is necessary to weigh the pros and cons, so as not to face such a disorder later. What should be avoided (of course, if the cause is not in pathogenic bacteria, and if the doctor did not recommend this particular course of treatment) so that diarrhea does not develop? Antibiotics! Adults (how to take drugs to avoid such consequences - we will discuss further) have a lot of options for solving the problem, including resorting to alternative medicine. After all, our grandmothers and great-grandmothers were treated without resorting to powerful artillery? So we leave antibiotic therapy as a last resort. And if it does come, we take into account the following risk factors and adhere to certain rules:

• The age of the person. The older you are, the more vulnerable the microflora becomes. The risk group includes people who are over 65 years old. As with young children, the choice of drugs for them must be done with great care, and it is advisable to provide this to the doctor.
• The presence of acute and chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is no secret that taking antibiotics has a bad effect on the intestinal microflora. If there is a history of chronic diseases, then it is imperative to consult a doctor before starting treatment.
• Diarrhea can be provoked by too high doses of drugs, so do not try to speed up recovery in this way.
• It is very harmful to violate the regimen of taking antibacterial drugs. This may be a frequent change of different drugs, an arbitrarily shortened or extended course.

Dysbacteriosis at the end of treatment

Every person should be aware of the likelihood of such a violation. Approximately 7-10 days later, diarrhea may develop after antibiotics in an adult. What to do and how to help your body? We have already mentioned the reason for this complication: under the influence of the drug, beneficial bacteria that are sensitive to it die. As a result, pain, bloating and a new attack of diarrhea are observed. Most often, such a reaction occurs after taking strong antibiotics: tetracyclines, cephalosporins, taken in tablets and capsules.

Correction

So, we have diarrhea after antibiotics in an adult. Treatment should not include antibiotics. In fact, such a disorder goes away by itself and does not require specific therapy. However, to help your intestines recover faster, additional therapeutic measures are used.

Diet

You need to organize meals in a special way from the day you feel the symptoms of diarrhea. It is required to exclude all fatty, fried, smoked and sweet. Be sure to drink plenty of water. In the early days, it is better to refuse food, and as the bowel function is restored, gradually include crackers and dietary meat, cottage cheese and light yogurt, baked apples and buckwheat porridge in the diet.

If you follow the right diet throughout the treatment and during the recovery period, that is, 10-15 days after discontinuation of the drug, then there is no such problem as diarrhea from antibiotics. What to do (an adult usually does not have time to spend days at home and treat diarrhea several times a month) if you encounter such a complication? Go through all the stages of the therapeutic diet again. That is, refuse food completely, and then gradually add foods to the diet.

Medications

There are special remedies that help if diarrhea from antibiotics in adults has begun. How to take them? To restore the microflora, Bifidumbacterin is perfect. It is very good to use it from the first day of the end of antibiotics, mixing with natural yogurt. Dilute the contents of the bottle in half a glass of fermented milk drink and drink 2-3 times a day. It must be taken at least 2 weeks after the end of taking antibacterial agents.

Throughout the course of treatment, you need to drink sorbents. It can be "Smekta" or activated carbon. Take one sachet or 2 tablets three times a day. Just not immediately after taking the medication, keep a certain interval. As a rule, such information must be contained in the instructions. Sorbents will help remove toxins and protect the microflora. Also, in order to mitigate the impact of antibiotics, it is recommended to take the fermented milk product "Narine" throughout the entire period of treatment and recovery after it.

Diarrhea when taking antibiotics in an adult is common, but it is quite easy to avoid. The main thing is to get useful information, and with such questions it is best to contact a specialist. Be healthy!

Diarrhea from antibiotics is a consequence of dysbacteriosis. Violation of the intestinal microflora due to long-term misuse of these drugs often leads to indigestion and bloating.

When taking antibacterial agents, diarrhea can develop very quickly, and the stool returns to normal after the absorption of the drug by the intestines.

Why these deviations appear and how to treat diarrhea that occurs while taking antibiotics are important questions that many patients face.

Causes of indigestion from taking antibiotics

The use of antibiotics is necessary for the treatment of many serious infectious diseases.

Despite the great popularity, the use of these drugs is often accompanied by side effects.

In most cases, they are associated with the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment with antibacterial drugs can provoke such functional disorders of the digestive system as nausea, constipation, vomiting, diarrhea.

Diarrhea from the use of antibiotics is caused both by the chemical composition of these drugs and by their mechanism of action.

The natural balance between different microorganisms inside the intestines is the key to high body resistance to external and internal infections.

When it is violated, various pathological abnormalities appear in the form of diarrhea, nausea, and bloating: the so-called dysbacteriosis occurs.

The use of antibiotics to treat various diseases is often the main cause of intestinal problems, since these drugs destroy bacteria and microorganisms.

On the other hand, if you use these drugs moderately and carefully, then with a high probability you can avoid side effects.

Thus, diarrhea that appears after the use of antibiotics in an adult often occurs due to improper administration of drugs, violations of their dosage.

On the other hand, diarrhea that occurs after taking antibiotics can be a sign of infectious diseases of the intestine.

For these reasons, it is important to learn to distinguish between indigestion caused specifically by the use of certain drugs.

You can do this by following the signs:

• the absence of pain in the abdomen;
• normal body temperature and other physiological indicators;
• absence of weakness and malaise.

In some cases, with prolonged use of antibacterial drugs, stomach upsets can begin, with symptoms of colitis.

The intestine is mainly responsible for immunity, therefore, a violation of the functioning of its internal environment reduces not only the efficiency of digestion of food, but also the protection of the body as a whole.

In stressful situations in a person, the use of heavy foods and in a poor environmental situation, bowel dysfunction often occurs.

A complex of similar causes, when superimposed on each other, enhances these dysfunctions, and in the process of treating infectious diseases, diarrhea after taking antibiotics in an adult in such cases may begin with a greater likelihood.

Learning important rules about how to treat acute illnesses with antibiotics will help to avoid side effects, in particular diarrhea.

It is important after each therapeutic course with the use of antibiotics to give the body a rest.

When using these drugs, the following rules must be observed:

• antibiotics should be used only with symptoms of an acute bacterial infectious disease: temperature, purulent discharge, deterioration of the patient's condition, blood changes. In cases of viral diseases, proper treatment excludes the use of these drugs;
• the use of antibacterial agents is not always justified, therefore, the antibiotic used can only be chosen by the doctor, taking into account the possible consequences;
• to prevent side effects, before using strong drugs, it is better to do a bacterial culture test: this will greatly simplify the choice of the optimal drug;
• it is important to keep information about the previous use of antibiotics and the side effects they caused. This will avoid errors in prescribing the drug in each case;
• it is imperative to adhere to the continuity of the therapeutic process, since only in this way can the disease be finally cured;
• the duration of antibiotic treatment is determined exclusively by the doctor, so the main thing is to strictly adhere to his appointments;
• it is necessary to observe the frequency and time of taking medications;
• in no case is it recommended to independently change the prescribed doses of the antibiotic;
• it is best to drink these drugs with clean water;
• effective treatment with antibiotics is possible only against the background of dietary nutrition;
• the use of antibacterial drugs in combination with drugs that improve the functioning of the intestinal microflora will prevent the possible occurrence of side effects. The most popular means for this are probiotics.

Thus, by following these rules, diarrhea can be effectively prevented if antibiotics are taken correctly.

Ways to restore intestinal microflora

When using antibiotics, you need to be careful, because they directly affect the immunity of the whole body.

In the course of therapy with the use of these drugs, the use of sorbents and antacids, which reduce the activity of antibacterial agents, should be limited.

Frequent use of antibiotics adversely affects overall health. Their uncontrolled use leads to the destruction of beneficial intestinal bacteria, a decrease in immunity, allergies, and increased infections.

Diarrhea after taking antibiotics is a direct consequence of these problems.

Initially, the human body is characterized by a healthy intestinal microflora, which is a solid foundation of the immune system.

Thanks to this, a person successfully resists the pathogenic factors of the external environment. When treating infectious diseases with antibiotics, it is important to maintain a healthy balance of beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms.

To resolve issues - what to do in such situations, experts resort to the help of probiotics, which have no contraindications and side effects.

These useful products come in the form of liquids and capsules for internal use, nasal drops, mouthwashes, suppositories for vaginal, rectal use.

Kefir and yogurt are natural remedies that have a beneficial effect on the intestinal microflora of an adult.

Effective treatment with antibiotics, prevention of diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disorders can be successful with a sparing diet.

The diet should include fermented milk products, whole cereals, applesauce, vegetables, bran, dietary lean meat.

Temporary exclusion from the diet of harmful foods will help restore the intestinal microflora.

It is better to give up spices, smoked meats, garlic, sour fruits, mushrooms, pickles, sparkling water.

Thus, the use of probiotics and a light diet can greatly help in cases where diarrhea has begun, and even prevent its occurrence when treating diseases with antibiotics.

Medications and folk remedies for diarrhea

Diarrhea after antibiotics eventually disappears. However, there are times when certain methods and medications are required to normalize the stool.

The most popular drug is probiotics, which have a beneficial effect on the colonization of the intestines with beneficial microflora.

These universal drugs are suitable for children and adults because they do not have side effects. They are available in different dosage forms.

With their use, a positive therapeutic effect occurs quite quickly. In addition to these drugs, the drugs "Imodium", "Loperamide" are used, which effectively stop diarrhea.

Indigestion after taking antibiotics can be treated with products that contain pectin and clay. They are very good at compacting feces.

The attending physician can sometimes prescribe several drugs that optimize the processes of strengthening the stool. These drugs include Phosphalugel, Smecta, Attapulgite.

It is possible to restore the full functioning of the intestines after prolonged treatment with antibiotics with the help of folk remedies.

These methods are time-tested and have no side effects.

Among them, the most popular are the following recipes:

• dried pomegranate skins should be poured with boiling water and boiled over low heat for 5-7 minutes. Ready broth should be taken in half a glass 4 times a day;
• to prepare this remedy for diarrhea, you will need 300 ml of vodka and a couple of tablespoons of dried wormwood. Dry grass is poured with vodka and infused for 12 hours. It is necessary to take the infusion 20 drops 6 times a day;
• pieces of rye bread are soaked for half an hour in warm water and eaten in small pieces throughout the day;
• tinctures and decoctions of bird cherry, walnut peel, oak bark, St. John's wort and alder cones will help to effectively get rid of diarrhea after using antibiotics.

The use of folk remedies is suitable for the treatment of any age group of patients, since they have no contraindications and side effects.

In addition to stopping diarrhea, folk remedies help prevent dehydration and strengthen the immune system. In some cases, such drugs may be indispensable.

Violations of the functioning of the stomach and intestines due to the use of antibiotics are quite common.

To get rid of diarrhea, folk remedies, diet food and special medicines that restore the intestinal microflora are used.

With the correct use of antibiotics against the background of dietary nutrition, with a high probability, the problem of diarrhea can be avoided.

The health of the smallest citizens of the country is strongly influenced by poor environmental conditions, various chemical additives in food, electromagnetic radiation, and mutating viruses. Often the child's immune system is weakened and cannot cope with pathogens, and he gets sick. Antibiotics are often prescribed for treatment. Potent drugs kill not only pathogenic microbes, but also all the beneficial intestinal microflora. The child has: diarrhea, intestinal colic, vomiting, flatulence. My child has diarrhea on antibiotics, what should I do? This is a question parents often ask. Let's try to answer it.

The effect of antibiotics on the baby's body

Violation of the digestive tract in a child does not begin immediately, but after the accumulation of an antibiotic in the body. For example, in the case when the baby is often sick and every time he is prescribed antibacterial drugs for treatment. Or parents self-medicate and without the knowledge of the doctor give the baby potent drugs. The fact is that antibiotics cannot distinguish harmful microorganisms from beneficial ones and kill both at once.

The small and large intestines, left without useful microflora, cannot cope with the digestion of food. As a result, the child develops diarrhea while taking antibiotics. He loses his appetite, suffers from pain, flatulence and bloating.

Causes of diarrhea

When taking antibiotics, the occurrence of diarrhea may be due to the following factors:

• Strong intestinal motility prevents the absorption of nutrients. Diarrhea occurs due to the high activity of the intestinal muscles. Such diarrhea is asymptomatic. It will stop within a day after the drug is discontinued. If this does not happen, then the cause of diarrhea is completely different, consultation with a doctor is necessary.
• The death of beneficial intestinal microflora. Diarrhea in a child against the background of antibiotics will stop if the drug is canceled and probiotics are started: Bifidumbacterin, Bifiform, Lactobacterin, Linex.
• Intestinal infection. It can begin against the background of reduced immunity and the death of beneficial bacteria.
• Individual intolerance to individual components of the drug. In this case, in addition to diarrhea, the child develops a rash, itching, and possibly a slight increase in temperature.

Symptoms of diarrhea from antibiotics

Loose stools when taking antibiotics are accompanied by the following symptoms:

• stomach ache;
• a feeling of bloating;
• vomiting reflex;
• deterioration in general well-being belching;
• flatulence;
• characteristic changes in fecal matter: foamy with an unpleasant odor;
• diarrhea from antibiotics in a child may release the intestines up to eight times a day or more.

Forms of diarrhea

When taking antibiotics, there can be several forms of diarrhea:

1. Light - loose stools are observed no more than five times a day, while there are mild painful sensations that disappear after defecation. Fecal masses do not contain any impurities and pungent odor, have a watery consistency.
2. Medium - loose stools occur up to fifteen times a day, body temperature rises, pain increases, vomiting occurs. There is mucus in the feces, streaks of blood are possible.
3. Severe - severe diarrhea in a child after antibiotics, the intestines are emptied up to thirty times a day. The body temperature rises to the forty-degree mark, vomiting appears, and rapid dehydration occurs. The skin takes on a cyanotic appearance, dry mouth, cracks appear on the surface of the tongue and lips, and urination stops.
4. Lightning - the development of all symptoms occurs rapidly. The child suffers from severe pain in the abdomen, the frequency of defecation increases. Mucus and blood appear in the feces, vomiting begins. There is rapid dehydration of the body, urgent medical attention is needed.

Diagnosis of diarrhea in children

To make a diagnosis, it is necessary to identify the cause of diarrhea. To do this, the doctor:

• conducts a conversation with the child's parents, finding out what preceded the deterioration of the patient's condition, what is the duration of diarrhea in a child on the background of antibiotics, the frequency of defecation, the presence of mucus and blood in the feces;
• examines the baby, palpates the abdominal cavity;
• prescribes a stool test for the presence of worm eggs;
• conducts a study of the biochemistry of feces and bile.

• sowing on the microflora of the intestinal contents is done;
• a blood test is taken for biochemistry;
• ultrasound indication of the abdominal cavity is performed;
• CT scan;
• endoscopy of the stomach and intestines;
• with functional diarrhea, a study of intestinal motility is prescribed. For this, peripheral electrogastroenterography and manometry are used;
• radiography.

If necessary, other types of studies are prescribed. It all depends on the severity and duration of diarrhea. In addition, consultations of specialists are appointed. When dysbacteriosis is detected, treatment is prescribed depending on the severity of the disease.

Restoration of water-salt balance

With vomiting and diarrhea while taking antibiotics, the child has a large loss of fluid, and drinking plenty of fluids is required to restore it. To do this, first use simple drinking water, then you can give tea, for example, herbal tea based on chamomile or sage, various jelly, dried fruit compotes. In no case should you use carbonated water, juices and milk. Useful pharmacy powders for the preparation of registration solutions:

• "Regidron" - restores the balance of salts and fluids in the child's body, removes toxins. One sachet of the product is dissolved in a liter of cold boiled water.

Store the composition in the refrigerator for no more than a day. Give to drink often, but in small doses, so as not to cause vomiting. With diarrhea in a child from antibiotics, they begin to use the solution from the beginning of the appearance of loose stools and end after its recovery.

• "Humana Electrolyte" - a bag of the mixture is diluted in a glass of boiled water. The solution is taken in a cold and warm form. Babies under three years old use fennel powder, older than three years old - banana flavored. The solution has a pleasant taste and does not cause problems with its use. The required amount that you need to drink per day is calculated according to the instructions per kilogram of weight and is drunk in small portions.

How to stop diarrhea from antibiotics in a child?

Fixing the stool is the main stage of treatment. It begins simultaneously with the restoration of water-salt balance. The most popular and optimal antidiarrheal drugs for children are:

• "Smecta" - powder for the preparation of a suspension at home. It has vanilla or orange flavor.

Babies up to a year old drink two sachets daily for the first three days, then the dosage is reduced to one. Children a year and older use four packets for the first three days, then the dosage is reduced to two.

• "Enterosgel" - a fixing agent used for diarrhea from antibiotics in a child. It not only has antidiarrheal properties, but also binds and removes toxic substances from the body. This helps to improve the functioning of the intestines, kidneys and liver, restores the immune system. Release form: paste for oral administration and gel for solution preparation. Instructions for use are attached.

Before using these drugs, you should consult with your doctor, non-compliance with the dosage can harm the child. It should be noted that drugs should not be used for stomach ulcers and bloody discharge from the anus.

Normalization of microflora

What to give a child after antibiotics for diarrhea? Using special preparations, beneficial microorganisms are artificially introduced into the baby's intestines, which were destroyed by antibiotics. The drugs are prescribed by the attending physician. Frequently used are:

• "Bifidumbacterin" - a probiotic, contains live, active bifidobacteria. Available in the form of tablets, dry powder and rectal suppositories. The dosage and form is prescribed by the doctor depending on the age of the child.
• "Hilak Forte" - contains substrates of metabolic products. Release form - oral drops.

They are dissolved in a small amount of water and drunk before or during meals. The drug is recommended for children from the age of two.

• "Bifiform" - contains lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and vitamins of group B. It is produced in the form of chewable tablets that the child uses as a candy, an oil solution for preparing a suspension, capsules and sachets. The duration of treatment and dosage is determined by the doctor.
• "Rotabiotic" - restores the intestinal microflora and improves the digestion of food, promotes the absorption of nutrients. Capsule release form.

Restoring the intestinal microflora after diarrhea from antibiotics in a child requires a long period, up to several months.

diet

Diet for diarrhea is important. Feed the child in small portions, but often. It is advisable to exclude all foods that injure and irritate the intestines: fresh vegetables and fruits, canned foods, semi-finished products, sweet carbonated drinks, fruit drinks, freshly squeezed juices, sweets and pastries. From meat, you can eat lean chicken. Suitable porridge cooked on water: oatmeal, rice, wheat, boiled or baked fish, steamed cutlets. You can eat light soups, dried white bread, biscuits, crackers, baked potatoes, apples, bananas.

From drinks it is better to use jelly, dried fruit compotes, teas, herbal infusions.

Folk remedies for diarrhea

Diarrhea from antibiotics in a child, how to treat? In addition to medications, you can use the advice of traditional medicine. For the treatment of diarrhea, the following recipes are suitable:

• Blueberry. Pour two tablespoons of dried berries with a glass of boiling water, insist. Drink a tablespoon every hour.
• St. John's wort. Pour 10 g of dry raw materials with a liter of boiling water, insist, strain and give children 50 ml three times a day.
• Chamomile flowers. Prepare an infusion of 20 g of dry raw materials per glass of water. Give the child a teaspoon four times a day.
• Mint and chamomile. Pour a teaspoon of the mixture with a glass of boiling water, insist and drink in small sips throughout the day.

Before applying these prescriptions, you should consult your doctor.

The main antibacterial drugs that provoke diarrhea

Several groups of antibiotics should be noted, after taking which diarrhea most often occurs:

• Preparations of the penicillin series: Flemoklav, Amoxicillin, Flemoxin. These drugs cause not only loose stools, but also an allergic reaction.
• Antibacterial drugs tetracyclines: "Doxycycline", "Metacycline", "Tetracycline". Very often there is diarrhea in a child when taking antibiotics of this series.
• Macrolides - "Erythromycin", "Azithromycin", "Sumamed". These drugs are more gentle, but diarrhea can also occur.

To minimize the side effects of antibiotics in children, doctors prescribe them in combination with pre- and probiotics.

Prevention of diarrhea from antibiotics

In order to prevent diarrhea in a child when taking antibiotics, it is necessary:

• do not give medicine on an empty stomach;
• for the duration of treatment, include in the diet products that have a binding effect;
• discuss with your doctor the appointment of probiotics at the same time as antibacterial agents.

It is not necessary to resist the appointment of antibiotics in the form of intramuscular injections. They have a more effective effect on pathogens than suspensions and tablets. In addition, with this method of administration, the antibiotic bypasses the gastrointestinal tract and saves the child from unpleasant consequences.

Very often, a person who is treated with antibiotics may experience diarrhea. Alas, this problem concerns many, but not everyone knows exactly how to treat and stop it.

Most often, diarrhea from antibiotics occurs due to their improper intake. But one should not exclude the negative impact on the human body of the chemical composition of the drugs in question.

Modern medicine cannot do without antibiotics.

This is due to the fact that such funds reduce complications after surgery, relieve adults from purulent and bacterial diseases, and prevent the spread of various infections throughout the body.

For example, botulism, tetanus or anthrax. Due to the fact that pharmacies have a large selection of antibiotics, their use has become irrational - many people began to treat themselves, not knowing how to do it right.

Such actions have led to the fact that the most common infections have ceased to be "afraid" of the drugs in question.

And this, in turn, provoked the low effectiveness of simple and cheap antibiotics.

The most common problem that many patients face when taking medication is diarrhea that develops while taking antibiotics.

This phenomenon is called antibiotic-associated diarrhea, which can be caused by treatment with penicillin and cephalosporin.

It is worth considering that taking several groups of antibiotics at the same time increases the risk that diarrhea will appear.

It is noteworthy that loose stools can occur if antibiotics are taken in the form of tablets or capsules - preparations for oral use.

Intravenous or intramuscular administration of the medications in question is much less likely to cause diarrhea.

How antibiotics affect a person

Everyone should know that antibiotic treatment requires strict adherence to the instructions or recommendations of the attending physician.

Such actions will prevent possible side effects that are associated with an overdose of the drug, and minimize its negative impact on the patient's body.

The word "antibiotic" in translation means "against the living." This suggests that the drug, when it enters the body, harms the intestinal microflora.

But, by the way, it also brings considerable benefits: it destroys the infection, prevents the reproduction of bacteria, affects tumor cells, inhibiting their growth.

But, alas, the harm from antibiotics for adults is much greater. It is worth considering in more detail their negative impact on the patient:

1. With long-term treatment with the drugs in question, the bacteria that provoked the disease become immune to antibiotics, so the treatment does not bring the desired effect.
2. Broad-spectrum antibiotics kill beneficial bacteria. A similar phenomenon provokes the activation of the fungal flora, which leads to intestinal dysbacteriosis.
3. Almost all medications adversely affect the patient's liver. The fact is that taking antibiotics provokes the normal functioning of the liver, and it does not completely remove harmful substances from the body, becoming a source of intoxication.
4. When taking the drugs in question, a person makes it difficult for cells to breathe, which leads to a lack of oxygen in the body.
5. Many drugs kill the immune system, so the body of an adult cannot cope with various infections on its own. This suggests that in subsequent diseases, a person cannot do without antibiotics.
6. Due to the fact that microbes constantly mutate, they become resistant to available antibiotics. Therefore, specialists have to constantly develop new drugs that harm humans even more.

In any case, self-medication is prohibited. Only a specialist is able to prescribe a suitable group of drugs that will help to cope with a specific pathology.

It should be noted that doctors prescribe the medications in question only when it is really impossible to do without them.

Causes of diarrhea

Most often, diarrhea after taking antibiotics develops in the presence of certain factors. They are:

1. The drugs were given to young children or the elderly.
2. Patients undergoing antibiotic treatment have somatic pathologies of the nervous system.
3. Antibiotics are prescribed for acute or chronic inflammatory process in the gastrointestinal tract.
4. Treatment is based on the use of large doses of the drugs in question.
5. Treatment continues for a long time.
6. Patients violate the instructions and take medications incorrectly.

Diarrhea, provoked by taking antibiotics, makes itself felt a few days after the start of therapy, and after a few hours.

Dysbacteriosis has one characteristic symptom - frequent stools of a liquid consistency.

Often diarrhea in an adult is accompanied by abdominal pain caused by excessive bowel activity.

This problem causes a lot of discomfort and is quite dangerous for pregnant women. This suggests that the imbalance of microflora must be treated in a timely manner.

How to deal with frustration

In order to cure diarrhea in adults, you need to approach the problem comprehensively. This includes following a diet and taking narrowly targeted medicines.

In addition, it is very important to drink plenty of fluids, as diarrhea often causes dehydration in patients.

Proper nutrition for diarrhea

If a person develops diarrhea after taking antibiotics, it is recommended to start treating it immediately. One of the points of therapy is the correct diet, which is based on the following recommendations:

1. For a week, you should give up milk, dairy products and wheat flour dishes: pasta, bread or muffins. This limitation is due to the fact that the gastrointestinal tract reacts sharply to these stimuli, so diarrhea can only get worse.
2. During this period, it is necessary to exclude from the diet the intake of bran and fruits that are rich in fiber.
3. It is allowed to eat only soup that is cooked on a decoction of rice, steamed scrambled eggs, semolina and buckwheat porridge. It is these dishes that normalize bowel movements, restore bowel function and relieve the patient of diarrhea.
4. Instead of bread, experts recommend eating homemade crackers.
5. Kissel made from fruits and berries of sweet varieties can eliminate diarrhea in an adult. It has a wonderful astringent property.

When the situation returns to normal, and the diarrhea subsides after taking antibiotics, doctors are allowed to include meat or fish cutlets, vegetable broth soups, and crumbly cereals in the diet.

In addition, it is beneficial for the body to consume yogurt, which contains live bacteria necessary to restore the intestinal microflora.

You can eat rye bread only 1.5 weeks after the diarrhea stops. Bakery products made from white flour are allowed a few days after the diarrhea has completely passed.

Medicines for diarrhea

Modern medicine is at the highest level, therefore it has in its stock a large number of drugs that are appropriate in the treatment of diarrhea.

The most common of them can be called the drug Imodium, which positively affects the functioning of the intestines.

The drug in question quickly relieves a person of diarrhea after taking antibiotics, does not provoke dehydration of the body and restores the level of minerals and trace elements.

In the event that the diarrhea is very intense, the doctor may prescribe Loperamide. But here it should be noted that this remedy is forbidden to be taken by pregnant women and children under 2 years of age.

Drugs from the group of probiotics and prebiotics are recognized as very effective in the treatment of diarrhea after the use of drugs.

Probiotics are needed in order to quickly saturate the digestive tract with microflora. Medicines can be introduced into the patient's body in various ways, including oral.

This group of medicines includes Linex, Hilak Forte, Bifiform or Bifidumbacterin. To achieve maximum efficiency, you need to know the features of the use of the funds in question.

For example, Bifidumbacterin should be taken with fermented milk drinks: kefir or yogurt. The therapeutic effect will appear after 2-3 doses. You can treat the problem with such substances for no longer than 2 weeks.

If we talk about prebiotics, then you should know that these are peculiar carbohydrates that provoke the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine, normalizing its microflora.

Similar substances are found in food: garlic, onions, tomatoes, bananas and chicory. This indicates that you should not immediately run to the pharmacy and buy medicines.

The increased effectiveness of the treatment of diarrhea after taking antibiotics is achieved by using both pro- and prebiotics at the same time, in combination.

But how exactly to do this, a qualified specialist should suggest.

Preventive measures

To be sure that defecation disorders after drug treatment will not happen, you need to follow a few basic rules of behavior.

They are:

1. Observe personal hygiene.
2. Avoid intense physical activity.
3. Eliminate possible emotional overload and stressful situations.
4. Do not ignore alarming symptoms and contact medical institutions in a timely manner.
5. Carefully read the instructions for antibiotics and strictly follow them.

What to do if diarrhea could not be avoided after medication and why did this happen? In this case, you should immediately seek qualified help from specialists, because the situation can worsen at any time.

Pathological phenomena should not be triggered, because they can cause serious and life-threatening complications.

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