Antibiotic Resistance

 

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The rising resistance to antibiotics can be arrested with a little help.


Since their discovery, antibiotics have led to a significant drop in deaths from infectious diseases. However, these gains are now seriously jeopardized by the emergence of antibiotic resistance. It occurs when strains of bacteria in the human body become resistant to antibiotics due to improper use and abuse of antibiotics. Among non-hospitalised patients, more than 133 million courses of antibiotics are prescribed by doctors each year and it has been estimated that over 50 per cent of these prescriptions are unnecessarily being prescribed for colds, coughs, and other viral infections.


Resistance to antibiotics is a natural process that can be accelerated by a variety of factors. The use of an antibiotic for any infection, in any dose and over any time period, forces microbes to either adapt or die. Bacteria are particularly efficient at enhancing the effects of resistance because they can replicate rapidly and have the ability to transfer their resistance genes. Therefore, if an antibiotic is used for too short a time, at too low a dose, at inadequate potency, or for the wrong disease, the chances that the bacteria will adapt and replicate rather than be killed is increased leading to antibiotic resistance. Patient-related factors are a major cause of inappropriate anti-microbial use. Some patients feel that new and expensive medications are more efficacious than older agents and demand them from their physician. The rise of readily accessible information on the Internet is another factor as it is paving way for individuals to self-medicate with antibiotics. Also added to it is the fact that most of the antibiotics are available over the counter. Many patients often forget to take their medication, interrupt their treatment when they begin to feel better, or may be unable to afford a full course, it leaves some bacteria alive, thereby creating an ideal environment for microbes to adapt rather than be killed.


It is important for the patient to be educated that antibiotics are for bacterial infections and not for viral infections. The only true way to know if a patient's infection is bacterial is to test it. For example, if the patient has a sore throat, a throat culture test should be done and if the result shows that a bacterial infection is present, then antibiotics should be prescribed. This not only allows for proper patient care, but also helps decrease antibiotic resistance.


We are currently in need of strategies to help maintain the effectiveness of antibiotics and thus ensure that their life-saving capacity remains available to future generations. It is under such circumstances that a safe, alternative therapy like homoeopathic medicine can come into play.

 

When the initial symptoms of infection are noticed these medicines can be indicated as they are effective in keeping the infections at bay. In post operative conditions, traumas, injuries etc. these remedies can work along with the conventional medicines and help the patient to recover earlier. Homoeopathic medicine could be a blessing in disguise as it will lead significant decrease in the need for antibiotics and when the need arises they are up to the task in exterminating the bacteria and protecting the body.


Dr.Venugopal Gouri
drvenugopal@gmail.com
92463 72625 (mobile)