How to restore intestinal flora after antibiotics?

The discovery of antibiotics by Louis Pasteur gave a huge impetus to the development of all modern medicine. Currently, pathologies such as pneumonia or intestinal infections are treated on an outpatient basis for a week and do not threaten the patient's life. However, this was not always the case, and before the discovery of antibiotics, infectious diseases could claim the lives of hundreds of people.

However, everything is not as rosy as it seems at first glance: the side effects of antibiotics often cause complications that are much more serious than the primary disease.

Preparations for the restoration of intestinal microflora after taking antibiotics

To date, several types of antibiotics, which have a different mechanism and spectrum of action:

• Penicillins are the first group of antibiotics discovered by Louis Pasteur. It is well tolerated by patients, the main side effects are rash, dermatitis, diarrhea. Drugs: Augmentin, Amoxicillin.
• Cephalosporins are the safest group of antibacterial drugs, side effects are rash and fever.
• Macrolides, for example, Sumamed, have a wide range of side effects: vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain.
• Fluoroquinolones, like macrolides, among the side effects - a violation of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Aminoglycosides are the most toxic group of drugs, the most formidable: nephrotoxicity, as a result of which acute renal failure may develop, and ototoxicity, as a result, hearing impairment.

Violation of the gastrointestinal tract when taking antibiotics - dysbacteriosis, in domestic medicine is defined as a violation of the digestive tract. Disputes about this nosology have been going on for a very long time, but in Russia there is no such nosological unit, so the doctor cannot make this pathology into a diagnosis. This is due to the fact that the intestinal microflora is quite diverse and it is almost impossible to determine the limits of the norm in this case. In European and American literature, dysbacteriosis is defined as "antibiotic-associated diarrhea".

Symptoms of dysbacteriosis in adults:

1. Violation of the stool, most often - diarrhea;
2. Pain in the lower abdomen;
3. bloating;
4. Fatigue, tiredness;
5. Changes in hair and nails: brittleness, brittleness, dryness. This is explained by a violation of absorption in the intestines of vitamins and minerals.
6. Inflammation of the rectum.

Features in children:

1. The presence of undigested food residues in the feces;
2. Persistent diarrhea/constipation;
3. In children under 1 year old - regurgitation;
4. Soreness in all parts of the intestines.

Probiotics and their effect on the body

Two main groups of drugs are used to treat dysbacteriosis: probiotics and prebiotics. Let's look at their differences: probiotics are live microorganisms that can restore the vital activity of the normal intestinal flora and suppress the action of pathogenic and opportunistic pathogens. The composition of probiotics includes bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, non-pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli and yeast fungi. Probiotics are found both in specially designed preparations and in food products, for example, in lactic acid products, ricotta, matsoni.

The effects of probiotics:

• Settling the intestines with normal microflora and, as a result, improving the balance between "good and bad" bacteria;
• Elimination of pain, swelling and other symptoms of dysbacteriosis;
• Stimulation of local immunity by improving the work of Pier's plaques in the small intestine;
• Elimination of intoxication syndrome;
• Negative effect on Helicobacter, which causes peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
• Elimination of the harmful effects of antibiotics on the digestive tract.

Probiotics are classified according to when they were created:

• 1 generation in their composition have only one strain of beneficial bacteria (bifidobacterin, lactobacterin);
• 2 generations of probiotics consist of bacteria that are not contained in a healthy state in humans, but when used, they can cause the growth and reproduction of normal flora and suppress the action of pathogenic (enterol, bactisubtil);
• 3rd generation contain a number of strains of beneficial bacteria (Linex, Acipol);
• The 4th generation contains both beneficial bacteria and substances that improve their growth and reproduction (bifilis, bifidumbacterin forte);
• The 5th generation contains substances of the 3rd and 3rd generations (bifiform).

lactobacilli

For more than several decades, lactobacterin has been produced in Russia - a dry powder for suspension containing a strain of lactobacilli. It should be taken on the recommendation of a doctor several times a day, while drinking milk for better absorption. In gynecology, with vaginosis, it can be applied topically. Also, lactobacilli in combination with yogurt culture is in yogurt. Several capsules are prescribed 2 times a day. To preserve bacteria, preparations must be stored in the refrigerator.

bifidobacteria

The range of drugs containing bifidobacteria is quite diverse: from old domestic drugs to modern European analogues.

Bifidumbacterin and Bifidumbacterin forte contain only live bifidobacteria and are available in various forms: capsules, powders for suspension, suppositories for rectal and vaginal use.

Bificol is a drug containing bifidobacteria and non-pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli. Available in powder form for the preparation of an internal or local solution.

Bifiform is a Danish product of the latest generation containing bifidobacteria and enterococci. Available in the form of capsules (for adults) and powder (for children). It enters the intestine unchanged and restores the intestinal microflora after taking antibiotics.

Complex preparations

Linex and Linex forte are modern drugs, which include bifidobacteria, lactobacilli and enterococci. Available in the form of capsules, which ensures the passage through the acid barrier of the stomach without changes.

Enterol is a complex drug for the treatment of dysbacteriosis in the treatment of antibiotics, which contains yeast-like fungi, bacterial spores and their metabolic products. This French drug is active against a wide range of both pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms, prevents intestinal complications after antibiotic therapy.

Baktisubtil is a French probiotic containing Bacillus cereus spores, which are not destroyed by gastric juice, enter the intestines and contribute to the production of antibacterial substances.

Hilak and Hilak forte, a German-made drug, was one of the first to appear on the probiotic market and still holds a leading position. The drug hilak contains only one strain of lactobacilli, hilak forte - lactobacilli, E. coli and fecal streptococcus. It is produced in the form of drops and is contraindicated in combination with antacids (Maalox, Rennie, Gastal and others).

Prebiotics and features of their appointment

Prebiotics are chemicals (unlike probiotics) that are not living microorganisms and are not absorbed in the intestines, but create special conditions for the growth and reproduction of normal flora. Just like probiotics, prebiotics are found in a large number of foods: dairy products, garlic, artichokes, bananas, cereals, bread.

Benefits of prebiotics:

• Contribute to a multiple increase in the number of normal microorganisms against the background of the same decrease in the number of pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms;
• Elimination of a large amount of mucus and regeneration of the walls of the colon;
• Reduce bloating and increased gas formation;
• Maintain the optimal pH of the environment;
• Stimulate the synthesis of B and K vitamins;
• Restoration of flora after antibiotic therapy.

Prebiotics are divided into 2 large groups:

• Pure prebiotics - these preparations contain only prebiotics in their composition. These drugs include lactulose drugs: dufalac, normase.
• Prebiotics + enterosorbents. These drugs are able to adsorb toxic substances on themselves and remove them from the body. These drugs include Lactofiltrum and Maxilac.

Prebiotics come in various forms: capsules, powders, syrups, or tablets.

Zakofalk is a prebiotic containing butyric acid and inulin. Butyric acid supports intestinal peristalsis, and inulin promotes the active growth of normal microflora. Produced in the form of tablets. Zakofalk is a biological food supplement, so it has no contraindications, except for individual intolerance to individual components of the drug.

In the literature, you can also find the term synbiotic - this is a combined preparation containing several types of probiotic and prebiotic. These drugs include bion-3, bifidumbacterin 1000, eubicor.

Bifidumbacterin 1000 is a synbiotic consisting of bifidobacteria and lactulose. Cannot be used during pregnancy and lactation. Produced in the form of tablets. The duration of therapy can last up to 12 weeks. Of the side effects often - an allergic reaction in the form of a rash, itchy skin or the appearance of red spots.

Rules for taking probiotics and prebiotics

In order to protect your body from the negative effects of antibiotics, it is important to remember that probiotics are living medicines and must pass unchanged through the gastrointestinal tract to the large intestine.

• It is impossible to drink or dilute drugs with hot water, at a temperature of 45 ° and above, the microorganisms of the drug will die.
• You can not combine the intake of antibacterial agents and probiotics with alcohol.
• Probiotics should be started with antibiotics or immediately after treatment.

Probiotics are OTC drugs and their safety profile is very high. In order to treat dysbacteriosis and treat the consequences of antibiotic therapy, they are prescribed to children, adults, pregnant and lactating women. Rare side effects of drugs for the normalization of intestinal microflora after antibiotics are bloating, constipation, flatulence. Probiotics containing mushrooms are contraindicated in people with yeast allergies.

Herbal preparations to improve the intestinal microflora after antibiotics

St. John's wort and calendula have a bactericidal and peristaltic stimulating effect, which allows you to suppress the growth of pathogenic microbes and accelerate the excretion of their waste products. To receive, mix herbs, add 2 grams to 200 ml of boiling water, insist and take 50-100 ml before meals. Course up to 2 weeks.

Sage and plantain have a bactericidal, astringent, regenerating effect. Apply as a decoction: add 1 teaspoon of the mixture to 250 ml of boiling water, cook for 2-3 minutes over low heat, then strain and cool. Take before meals 50 ml 3-4 times a day for 2 weeks.

To date, the risk of complications with antibiotic therapy has been reduced to zero. The right choice of an antibiotic and a drug to restore microflora is the key to a quick recovery and the absence of complications in primary therapy. During and after treatment, it is important to remember about proper nutrition, avoiding alcoholic beverages and following the recommendations of a specialist.