There are many diseases that can only be treated with antibiotics. Drugs of this group are prescribed at almost any age with serious pathologies, since any other medicine can hardly be compared with the effectiveness of these drugs. But antibiotics have a significant minus - they completely destroy both pathogenic and beneficial microflora. From this, first of all, the organs of the gastrointestinal tract suffer. To avoid negative consequences, in particular, cases when the stomach hurts after antibiotics, it is necessary to follow the rules and recommendations regarding the use of the drug. This will be discussed today.
What are antibiotics?
Probably, each person knows what a medicine from this group is. Often they are indispensable, since other drugs in action are weaker and do not contribute to effective treatment. An antibiotic is a semisynthetic or natural (natural) substance, the principle of action of which is to block the development or complete destruction of pathogens. But, as you know, “anti” is against, and “bios” is life. Therefore, drugs from this group destroy absolutely all microorganisms, even useful and extremely necessary for the proper operation of all systems. This is where the problem arises when, after antibiotics, the stomach hurts, since basically all the beneficial bacteria accumulate here.
The effect of antibiotics on the human body
Due to the destruction of beneficial microflora, there is a disruption in the digestive system. Together with pathogens, bifidobacteria and lactobacilli are destroyed. Why is the gastrointestinal tract system primarily affected? To digest the substances that enter the body, the glands of the stomach produce juice, consisting mainly of enzymes and hydrochloric acid. They help break down proteins and fats, as well as chop food to a state of porridge. So it is easier for her to get into the intestine, where some of the substances are absorbed, and the other is excreted. The same thing happens after antibiotics are ingested. Therefore, it is important to ask about the protection of the digestive tract before taking the medicine.
Why does a stomach ache after antibiotics?
As we have already found out, the cause of unpleasant sensations in the stomach lies in the violation of microflora. It simply does not exist, and this condition is called dysbiosis. In addition to pain, there are other symptoms that are characteristic of this disease. This is nausea, a feeling of heaviness, as well as an upset bowel, manifested by loose stools or constipation. The only thing required is to restore the microflora, and then the pain and other symptoms will no longer disturb.
After antibiotics, the stomach hurts: what to do?
The restoration of microflora is the main task in the treatment of dysbiosis. For the most effective treatment and quick elimination of the negative consequences of taking antibiotics, it is recommended to approach the solution of the problem comprehensively. There are a number of possible actions for this:
- Making a diet. The daily menu should include “sparing” foods that do not have an aggressive effect on the stomach, as well as foods rich in nutrients.
- Rejection of bad habits. Smoking and alcohol are the terrible enemies of mankind, which adversely affect the state of the stomach and other organs.
- Selection of medicines. The doctor can choose drugs rich in enzymes, probiotics and prebiotics, which will contribute to the restoration of the microflora of the digestive tract.
- Alternative medicine. Folk recipes, proven over the centuries, will also make positive changes in the state of the stomach and intestines.
Eliminating the negative effects of drugs through proper nutrition
So, the first thing to do when the stomach hurts after antibiotics is to establish a diet. Healthy eating is at the heart of a happy stomach. Diet will contribute to the establishment of the digestive process and the restoration of important gastrointestinal functions. Here's what the experts recommend:
- Replace fried and smoked dishes with boiled, steamed and baked in the oven.
- If constipation is a concern, include more fresh fruits in the diet, eat oatmeal in the morning, and consume prunes and beets.
- Eat more steamed vegetables. Baked apples are also very useful.
- Refuse pears, legumes, confectionery and bakery products.
- Include bone broth on the menu.
- Before going to bed, use fermented milk products.
Healthy lifestyle
Nutrition, although the foundation of well-being, but without observing some other important recommendations, the result will have to wait much longer. So, if the stomach hurts after antibiotics, you must definitely abandon bad habits and lead a healthy lifestyle. Nicotine and alcohol negatively affect the gastric mucosa, delaying the restoration of microflora, as well as preventing the body from cleansing of toxins, for which the liver is responsible. So, if you want to get rid of dysbiosis as soon as possible and return to your usual lifestyle, you need to find the strength to abandon bad habits.
Drug treatment
An important step in restoring the functioning of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract is taking medications. The pharmacological market has a sufficient amount of funds that have a beneficial effect on the stomach and contribute to the restoration of microflora. They allow you to quickly get rid of dysbiosis, giving the body beneficial bacteria. Such preparations include products containing enzymes or prebiotics / probiotics. Get to know them better.
Enzyme preparations
Usually the patient goes to the doctor if the stomach hurts after antibiotics. What should a doctor recommend in this case? One of the options for helping a patient is to prescribe enzyme-containing drugs. These include, for example, such means:
Tablets from this pharmacological group help to accelerate the recovery of microflora, and also positively affect the speed of the stomach and intestines. Enzymes are involved in the digestion of food, thereby simplifying the task of the stomach.
Preparations containing probiotics and prebiotics
Now on TV there is a lot of advertising devoted to these medicines. Probably every child already knows that they help cure the tummy. This is a great solution if the stomach hurts after antibiotic injections. Prebiotics and probiotics work as efficiently as possible in pairs: the first substances contribute to the formation of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the body, which are involved in the digestion process, and the second help the stomach to properly perform its “work”. Among the popular prebiotics:
- "Amben";
- Hilak Forte;
- Dufalac.
Probiotics:
- Linex
- "Beef-forms";
- "Acylact."
Alternative Medicine Methods
The answer to the question of whether the stomach can hurt after antibiotics, as well as why this happens, we have already received, and even considered several possible options for eliminating these unpleasant phenomena. But therapy is more effective and faster if it is complex. There is another good "assistant" in the fight against dysbiosis - this is traditional medicine. Recipes that have been tested for decades do not give reason to doubt the effect of these funds. Consider the most useful of them.
- For 10 days before breakfast and after dinner, it is recommended to take an infusion of walnuts, pumpkin seeds and sunflowers. All ingredients in the amount of 10 g of each must be crushed, pour 100 ml of boiling water and allow time to brew.
- For decades, doctors have been recommending giving dill water to newborn children, which helps the baby get rid of flatulence. This is a really effective tool that you can cook yourself. You need 1 teaspoon of dill seeds, pour 100 ml of boiling water, insist, strain, and then drink 1 spoon 3 times a day.
- When the stomach hurts after a course of antibiotics, it can be accompanied by diarrhea. To get rid of it, it is recommended to seek help from raspberries and currants. The recipe is simple - cook compote from berries, and then drink it 2-3 glasses a day. This will be useful not only for the digestive tract, but also for the whole organism.
- If long-term antibiotic therapy is required, patients are advised to drink beetroot juice. It helps to normalize the level of red blood cells.
- Helps to establish the process of digestion infusion of Kombucha. It is also useful not only for the stomach, but also for the whole organism.
- An excellent anti-inflammatory and regenerative property has propolis tincture. It helps to restore the normal functioning of the stomach and helps to "grow" beneficial microflora.
What you need to know when taking antibiotics
In order not to later wonder why the stomach hurts after antibiotics, and what to do with it, it is advisable to take care of protecting microflora immediately. Usually, along with taking medications, the doctor also prescribes a drug that has a beneficial effect on the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, for example, Linex, Acipol, Bifidumbacterin. The simultaneous use of antibiotics and drugs that impede the development of dysbiosis will help to avoid negative phenomena.
There are also a number of rules that must be followed. These simple steps will help you feel better during antibiotic therapy:
- Before taking the medicine, you must eat. Antibiotics should not be drunk or pricked on an empty stomach.
- It is recommended to eat foods and dishes that have an enveloping property. This will help minimize the negative effects of the drug on the stomach. For example, mucous porridge, mashed soup and jelly.
- Antibiotics in any form destroy the microflora of the digestive tract. But taking pills is much worse for health. In order for the stomach to hurt less after antibiotic treatment, it is better to ask the doctor to prescribe the drug in the form of a solution. It is sold in ampoules, intended for intramuscular or intravenous administration. It is believed that this option is much safer, as it immediately enters the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive tract. Thus, side effects can be avoided.
- It is recommended to drink antibiotics in tablet form only with plain filtered water without gas. The use of juices, milk, tea, coffee and other drinks is excluded.
The importance of increasing the body's defenses and liver repair
It is in the stomach that most of the immune cells are located, therefore, when this organ suffers, this always affects the general well-being and susceptibility of the person to infections. Along with the restoration of microflora, support of the immune system is also required. In order not to hurt the stomach after taking antibiotics, enzymes, probiotics and prebiotics are needed, and immunomodulators are needed to prevent inhibition of the protective function of the body. There are both specialized preparations, for example, Immunal, Interferon and Imudon, as well as herbal remedies - this is ginseng tincture, Chinese magnolia vine and Eleutherococcus.
To normalize the functions of the liver and its purification from toxins produced by pathogenic microorganisms, you can also use natural remedies and specialized drugs. For example, a decoction of wild rose or Essential.
In conclusion, it is worth saying that antibiotics are strong and dangerous drugs that should never be taken on their own. Only a doctor can prescribe therapy with such agents. Inadequate treatment will not only not give a positive result, but will also jeopardize the health of the person as a whole. By the way, the uncontrolled use of the drug is one of the common causes of stomach pain after taking antibiotics. What to do in this case, it was said above. But even better is to avoid antibiotic therapy, if, of course, this is possible.