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Am I overusing antibiotics?
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Antibiotics are often prescribed and
requested for many different types of
symptoms, such as; ear aches, colds,
flus, runny noses, and a host of other
types of illnesses. Many of these
symptoms are caused by viruses, which
can not be fought off with antibiotics.
Taking antibiotics for a virus will not
help you feel better faster, and can
actually be dangerous. Resistant
bacteria are a growing concern in the
medical community. The use of
antibacterial hand soaps, laundry
detergents and other antibiotics have
created bacterias who can resist
antibiotics.
MRSA/STAPH is very difficult to treat,
because of the resistance to many
antibiotics, and the occurrence of this
type of infection is rapidly increasing.
Your chances of contracting infections
increases if you are admitted to the
hospital.
According to data from
www.aware.md use of
antibiotics is rising. Here are some
startling statistics...
- In 1954, two million pounds of
antibiotics were produced in the US.
Today the figure exceeds 50 million
pounds. (Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, 2000)
- In one year in the US, of the 51
million physician visits for colds,
upper respiratory tract infections,
and bronchitis, 50% to up to 66% of
those visits culminated in an
antibiotic prescription. (Annals of
Internal Medicine, July, 2000)
- Streptococcus pneumoniae, the
most common bacterial cause for
illness such as meningitis, middle
ear infections, and
community-acquired pneumonia causes
an estimated 700,000 to 1 trillion
middle-ear infections in children a
year, 50,000 cases of pneumonia,
hundreds of cases of meningitis and
blood stream infections, and 4,000
deaths per year. (CA Dept of Health
Services, 2001)
- In California, out of the three
main classifications of antibiotics
tested for effectiveness against
streptococcus pneumoniae;
penicillins show a 30% resistance
level, erythromycin-like antibiotics
22% resistance and fluoroquinolones
1%. This means one in three people
who receive a penicillin type
antibiotic, it may not work. (CA
Dept of Health Services, 2001)
What does all of this mean?
It means that about 1/3 of Americans
receive a prescription for antibiotics
every year. Of course some people get
multiple scripts each year, which is
another entirely different concern.
Antibiotics can not kill a
virus... What are viruses?
Organisms that mask themselves within
our tissues and the cause of:
- all colds and the flu
- most coughs
- most sore throats
- viruses usually involve several
parts of the body
They can also cause infectious
diseases such as;
- chicken pox
- yellow fever
- most childhood respiratory
diseases
- diarrhea
- most upper respiratory
infections
- viruses are usually the
precursor to bacterial infections
Bacterial infections include...
- strep throat
- urinary tract infections
- most ear infections
- some sinus infections
- usually are localized to one
part of the body
Antibiotics can kill bacteria that are
not resistant. Bacteria adapt to their
surroundings, which is the basis of
antibiotic resistance.
Whats the answer?
Use antibiotics only when you are
absolutely in need of them. Your body
can fight off many bacterial infections
and viruses itself, if given proper
nutrition and rest. Most of you have
heard a doctor say "it just has to run
its course," this is true in many
cases. Occasionally a person who's
immune system is already challenged will
need additional support to recover
quickly, but antibiotics should only be
used when it's absolutely necessary to
fight off the bacteria.
Increased vitamin C, under a physicians
guidance, up to 4000-6000 milligrams a
day has been shown clinically to absolve
strep throat in acute stages.
To avoid getting sick you can do
the following
- wash your hands thoroughly
often, especially when in public
- eat a healthy diet with fresh
fruits and vegetables
- avoid sugar and high fructose
corn syrup
- supplement daily with vitamin C,
D, E, and other antioxidants
- utilize monolauric acid
(Lauricidin) to help prevent viruses
- normalize gut flora
- have your zinc level tested with
a zinc tally test
What if I get sick?
- supplement with additional
vitamin C to bowel tolerance
- have your zinc levels checked
- drink lots of water
- take Lauricidin to 3 times a day
(8 hours apart)
- get some rest - stay home in bed
if you need to
Talk to your natural health provider
about options for your specific
symptoms, often there are natural ways
to reduce symptoms, and get you back to
normal quicker.
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Sincerely,
Kessinger Health and Wellness
Diagnostic Centre
Virginia, Amanda, Lucy, Lis,
Krystal, Annette, Claudette,
Tracy &
Jack Kessinger, DC, ND, DABCI
Jay Kessinger, DC, ND, DABCI,
Registered DAN Doctor
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