How to restore intestinal flora after antibiotics

Often the use of drugs has its own side effects, which is very harmful to the body of any person. Almost all medicines, including antibiotics, have negative consequences. It is very difficult to restore the intestinal flora after long-term use of antibiotics, but at the same time it is quite possible.

When to Take Antibiotics

Recovery of the intestine after taking antibiotics is a long process, and before starting it, it is important to understand in which cases antibiotics are used. First of all it is:

• Complications accompanied by purulent sinusitis, lymphadenitis, abscesses, laryngotracheitis;
• Angina of different stages;
• Complicated otitis;
• Sinusitis;
• All types of pneumonia.

It is highly not recommended to take antibiotics for rhinitis, herpes, tracheitis, bronchitis, conjunctivitis. With simple acute respiratory viral infections (otitis media, immunodeficiency).

Antibiotics are usually for internal use, there is intramuscular / intravenous use. Of the minuses of the latter method, one can single out its soreness and trauma, especially for a child. The course of administration usually lasts up to two weeks, the amount of the drug is calculated according to the person's body weight.

What antibiotics can cause side effects

Any antibiotics can provoke the appearance of destructive changes in the work of the human intestine, it all depends on the human body and the ability to respond to medications. The main aggressor antibiotics include those that contain:

• Lincomycin;
• Aminopenicillin;
• Cephalosporin;
• macrolide;
• Quinolone;
• Clindamycin.

Side effects

The course of antibiotics usually lasts 7-14 days, which is enough time to harm the microorganisms that live in the intestines. Cardinal changes in the microflora are accompanied by diarrhea and complete intoxication of the body. There is also a high risk of dysbacteriosis - changes in the microflora of the colon, leading to disorders in the human body. A similar ailment often goes away on its own, sometimes probiotics are prescribed to patients to speed up intestinal recovery after taking antibiotics. In cases where the microflora cannot recover on its own, a person needs a special therapeutic course, which includes a change in diet and physical activity.

With the death of microorganisms sensitive to antibiotics, the number of those bacteria on which drugs have no effect increases. As a result, harmful microorganisms are able to secrete pathogenic toxins that interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12 and vitamins of groups A, D, K. Bile acids are also lost, water enters the intestine more strongly. After that, toxins enter the blood, thereby worsening the well-being of a person.

Signs of destructive changes in the intestinal microflora

The main range of symptoms of dysbacteriosis and disruption of the intestinal microflora include:

• Diarrhea / diarrhea with mucus about 3-4 times a day;
• Cramping in the abdomen;
• Temperature up to 39◦С;
• Nausea, vomiting;
• Hair loss, nail foliation;
• Thrush;
• Fast fatiguability;
• Sleep disorders.

In addition, there is a risk of psychological problems, depression, apathy, tantrums.

How to restore the intestinal microflora after taking antibiotics

In order to restore the intestinal microflora after antibiotics, it is important to limit yourself in some foods in time, completely changing your usual diet. Diet number 5 is considered the most effective. First of all, it will help restore the correct functioning of the liver, which in turn improves the intestinal microflora. It normalizes the intake of proteins and carbohydrates by reducing the intake of fats.  

Forbidden foods on diet number 5

Excluded from the diet:

• Cholesterol;
• Oil;
• acidic foods;
• Freshly baked bread;
• Patties;
• Pork;
• Duck;
• Mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard;
• Canned food;
• Sausages;
• Smoked fish;
• All soups in meat broth, cabbage soup, borscht;
• Boiled and fried eggs;
• Fatty milk, cream, cheese;
• Green onions, radishes, mushrooms, garlic;
• Cold drinks, alcohol, cocoa.

Allowed foods for diet number 5

The following products are allowed:

• Bread made from flour of the 1st, 2nd grade, rye, seeded;
• Apple pies;
• Rabbit, lamb, well-boiled sausages;
• Cabbage rolls, pilaf;
• Baked or boiled fish;
• Macaroni with milk;
• vegetable broths;
• fruit soup;
• Sour cream;
• Kefir, milk, cottage cheese;
• Omelet without yolk;
• Raw/stewed/boiled vegetables;
• Pea puree;
• Smoothies;
• Tea / coffee with milk, decoction, compote, juice of non-acidic berries.

This diet also differs in a peculiar mode. Foods that can cause strong acid formation in the body are not allowed, the diet is high in protein, moderate carbohydrates and almost no fat. The complete exclusion of the latter is impossible, since it can cause irreversible destructive changes in the body. All dishes are steamed, the products are very chopped, sometimes served in the form of mashed potatoes. You need to eat often (at least 6-7 times a day), but in small portions, preventing the appearance of hunger.

Sample menu for 1 day

For breakfast, you can eat a salad without oil and with bread. For dry skin and flaky nails, you can add a small amount of olive oil. Sometimes you can eat oatmeal, buckwheat, wheat porridge.

The second breakfast consists of a high content of proteins, boiled vegetables. Boiled fish or chicken is acceptable, cauliflower is useful. You can also eat carrot and apple puree.

Lunch includes vegetable soup or protein omelet, steamed cutlets.

Sour-milk products, yogurt, cottage cheese are served for dinner. It will be useful to combine kefir with berries. If you feel hungry between meals, you can eat a baked apple, drink a glass of kefir / curdled milk.

It is better to replace drinks with green tea without sugar, decoctions of herbs, pure melt water. Drink at least five glasses a day.

Folk remedies

This is far from the only way to restore the intestinal microflora after taking antibiotics, there are others:

• Potato juice is an effective remedy for constipation, colitis. In a 1:1 ratio, it is mixed with beetroot juice, after which it is infused for several hours in a warm place. Every morning, an hour before breakfast, you need to drink this infusion, until the stool is completely normalized.
• Honey also has a positive effect on humans. Dissolved in warm water with the addition of rose hips, it is useful if taken before meals for one to two months. If you are allergic to honey, this method of treatment is strictly contraindicated.
• You can also dissolve the mummy in 50 ml of warm water. You need to drink the solution twice a day before meals.
• 12 drops of propolis added to alcohol tincture have an anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, you can simply chew propolis.
• Compotes and fruit drinks from currants and raspberries have a positive effect. You can not add sugar to them, take at least 1-2 glasses a day.
• Another good folk remedy is dill - 1 teaspoon of dill is poured into 150 grams of boiling water. After that, the infusion is filtered and consumed 3 times a day, 1 teaspoon.

Useful herbs

You can take herbs, collection number 1 is useful, which includes:

• Calendula;
• St. John's wort;
• horsetail;
• Plantain;
• Chamomile;
• Rose hip.

It will help to avoid constipation and flatulence. 5 grams of herbs are brewed in 500 milliliters of hot water, after which they insist and take 100 milliliters after meals several times a day.

Also effective is collection number 2, which includes:

• Oak bark;
• Repeshok;
• Alder;
• Raspberry leaves;
• Sorrel.

The recipe for its preparation is similar to the previous one, as well as its application.

Medicines for the intestinal flora

If the above methods do not help, the doctor may prescribe a course of enzyme preparations: Mezima, Creon, Dufalac. Pharmacists also advise taking probiotics, nutritional supplements, yogurt capsules. Probiotics contain bacteria that promote bowel function. In addition, there are prebiotics, which include lactobacilli, bifidobacteria for normal bowel function. Prebiotics and probiotics are also prescribed in order to prevent the recurrence of dysbacteriosis, colitis and its other symptoms. They are also an effective remedy against the appearance of antibiotic dependence of the human intestine.

To suppress the destructive microflora and colonization by pathogens, the following is prescribed:

• Glycopeptides;
• Anti-ulcer/anti-inflammatory agents;
• Fidaxomicin.

Doctors recommend increasing the amount and intensity of physical training. You need to start moving more, it is advisable to do morning / evening exercises, go for a walk more often. Stop smoking or at least reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke. After the course of therapy, you need to re-examine the doctor and, if necessary, repeat the course again. Sometimes the restoration of the intestinal microflora after taking antibiotics may be delayed.

It is also important to reduce stress, since large nervous loads slow down digestion, which in turn can lead to an exacerbation of intestinal diseases and a deterioration in well-being.

Outcome

It is quite possible to restore bowel function after a long-term use of antibiotics, it is important to start treatment on time and carefully choose the methods that are right for you. It is also important not to overuse antibiotics, using them only when you really need it. Remember that before any treatment it is important to first of all consult the appropriate doctor and only then run for medicines.