Antibiotics have been widely used over many years to cure various types of diseases. The health benefits of antibiotics are many, but this article will be focusing on the side effects of antibiotics, which are not commonly known. It is important to know all the antibiotics side effects, so that we know what to expect in certain situations and how some negative effects can be prevented.
Antibiotics are compounds or products that prevent the growth and multiplication of harmful bacteria and other micro organisms in the body. They kill harmful pathogens, and are produced from living organisms on soils. They are used to cure the infectious diseases caused due to protozoans and fungi. Antibiotics may have been manufactured on a large scale just for the last few decades, but their use is not new to the health world. In fact, the use of antibiotics is prevalent since 2000 years in Chinese medicine. Also, there are records of the use of plants and molds as antibiotics for the treatment of various infections. Today, there are many antibiotics available that specialize in curing certain diseases. Very few of us are actually aware of the many side effects of antibiotics.
There are different types of antibiotics, such as penicillin, fluoroquinolone, cephalosporin, and aminoglycoside. Penicillins are prescribed for gonorrhea, skin infections, ear infections, respiratory tract infections, dental infections, and also urinary tract infections. Fluoroquinolone is mainly used to treat respiratory infections, and skin infections, and urinary tract infections. Cephalosporin is a powerful type of antibiotic and is best where the effect of the antibiotic needs to last for a longer time. As far as gram-negative bacteria are concerned, aminoglycoside is the best bet. Some commonly available antibiotics are azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, amoxicillin, penicillin, and trimethoprim. Often, people tend to consume them carelessly without knowing much about them. Over-consumption of antibiotics may nullify their actual benefits, and instead lead to certain side effects. Let us have a look at what the side effects of antibiotics are.
Common Side Effects of Antibiotics
Some of the most common side effects of antibiotics in men, women and children are discussed below.
Side Effect | Description |
Stomach Upset | Over dosage of any antibiotic has reported to lead to a mild stomach upset or abdominal cramps. |
Diarrhea | In some cases, diarrhea along with the problem of soft stools is observed. Diarrhea is one of the most common side effects of antibiotics in children. |
Vomiting | In many cases that have shown side effects of antibiotics, vomiting has also been observed to be a common side effect experienced by many. |
Tongue / Lips Swelling | In some severe cases of side effects, especially which have external effects noticed, one experiences swelling of the tongue and/or lips. |
Fainting | This side effect usually affects those who are already weak, though there are exceptions to this rule too. |
Whites Patches on Tongue | White patches on the tongue is one side effect that mostly goes unnoticed as most people are of the belief that this is a normal sign when one is sick and consuming medications. |
Vaginal Itching | Side effects of antibiotics for women include vaginal itching in some cases, while vaginal discharge is observed in others. |
Fever and Nausea | Apart from the above mentioned antibiotics side effects, some people also suffer from fever and nausea on account of the overuse of antibiotics. |
Tendon Damage | Antibiotic side effects also include damage to the tendons, wherein the connecting fibrous tissue between muscles and the bones is damaged. There have been a few instances, where people have suffered from this problem. This might further result in muscle pain. |
Breathlessness | There is also a chance of experiencing shortness of breath if the antibiotics are consumed excessively or not according to the prescribed manner. |
These were some of the most common side effects of antibiotics. You must remember that the degree of these side effects will differ from person to person depending on his general health and capacity to fight diseases and disorders, and also from case to case. I would suggest you to seek consultation from a specialist as he will be able to tell you whether antibiotics suit your body, and if yes, which one and how much dose. This is a safe practice to follow and will help avoid the long-term side effects of antibiotics.