When you are being treated with an antibiotic, to treat tonsillitis, sinusitis or urinary infection, for example, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms such as cramps, stomach pain and even excess gas are very common.
Although these side effects are being caused by the drug, treatment should not be interrupted, since it is important to completely eliminate the bacteria, in order to prevent some from surviving and becoming more resistant, being more difficult to eliminate.
So, to try to reduce the chances of having diarrhea, and continue taking the antibiotic, there are some precautions when taking antibiotics, such as:
- Ask your doctor to prescribe a probiotic : this type of supplement helps keep the gut bacteria healthy and, therefore, the gut continues to function properly, reducing the chances of diarrhea;
- Eat 1 to 2 yogurts, with active lacto bacillus or bifidus, a day : they are a type of natural probiotics that also help regulate the functioning of the intestine;
- Avoid greasy or spicy foods : they usually stimulate the functioning of the intestine, which can facilitate the appearance of diarrhea, due to the increase in the movements of the intestinal walls;
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages : in addition to reducing the effect of the antibiotic, alcohol also irritates the walls of the intestine, which can cause diarrhea.
In addition, it is also important to take antibiotics with food to lessen the chances of stomach irritation. However, there are some types of antibiotics that work better if taken on an empty stomach, such as Ampicillin or Sulfadiazine. In this way, you should consult the package insert of the drug before taking it or asking the doctor.
Why antibiotics cause diarrhea
Antibiotics work to eliminate the bacteria from the infection, allowing the body to recover more quickly. However, this type of medication does not only work on the affected site, eliminating bacteria from various parts of the body. One of the places affected is the intestine, which has a group of bacteria that help it stay healthy and function properly.
When these bacteria are eliminated by the antibiotic’s effect, the intestine becomes more irritated and its walls begin to move more quickly, reducing the time the body has to absorb water from the stool and causing diarrhea.
What to do if diarrhea occurs
In case of diarrhea, you should drink more water during the treatment, to keep the body well hydrated and facilitate recovery. Another option is to drink fruit juice, coconut water or eat soup as they contain more minerals that help keep water in the body.
In addition, you should maintain the consumption of yogurts and add fruits such as bananas or guava to the diet, to help keep the intestines in check. A natural treatment that can also help regulate the bowels is the consumption of Benefiber.
