Yes, We’ve Become Very Dependent On Antibiotics
Many people have been so dependent on antibiotics. This led to the development of superbugs-too strong infections that we can’t treat with antibiotics. Unfortunately, this resistance to antibiotics could be deadly. It is especially for those unable to combat the diseases caused by superbugs. We need to prescribe fewer antibiotics when treating diseases.
Antibiotics are miracle medicines that help us fight bacterial infections. But often, bacteria develop resistance to antibiotic treatment. The unnecessary use of antibiotics makes antibiotic resistance spread faster. It is also important to research how many antibiotics people use worldwide.
Researchers analyzed antibiotic usage data from 76 countries between 2005 and 2015. They found that the use of these antibiotics remained constant in most high-income countries. But it grew rapidly in middle and low-income countries. But per capita intake is still lower.
Research suggests that the major reason for this was income increase. This made antibiotics more accessible. But this has also contributed to an increase in excessive usage. Economists predict that income will continue to rise for the next 15 years. We also need new strategies to reduce excess antibiotic intake and resistance.
Figures such as these suggest that we are more dependent on antibiotics than ever before. But why is this the situation?
People Around The Globe Are Growing Too Dependent On Antibiotics
The human population of the world is increasingly dependent on antibiotics. This could spell the end of modern medicine. Such trivial things as a soaring throat or a tattered knee could cause death one day, says the WHO.
Doctors prescribe 85 percent of the world’s antibiotics to livestock or fisheries. Just 15% of all antibiotics produced in the world are for human and scientific purposes. As a result, the main problems associated with antibiotic resistance become apparent. We give hens antibiotics to not catch an illness and cause many other birds’ deaths. When we add antibiotics to animal feed, only the weakest bacteria can die. Strong ones adapt.
Antibiotics are no longer potent. Procedures such as organ transplantation, chemotherapy, etc., are getting less effective and riskier. Also, bacteria may cause a new disease, one that would be impossible to treat. Viruses are capable of mutating. They exist every day in a million different variations.
In terms of the importance of the impact on the earth’s life, the formation of antibiotic resistance genes can be chalked up next to climate change. Some researchers blame the popularity of tourism and labor migration. Because of them, the resistance of organisms to antibiotics increases. E.g., a lot of resistance genes have spread from India. We can not reverse globalization and tourism in any way.
However, It Is Possible To Influence The Mechanisms That Govern The Organism’s Resistance To Antibiotics:
- The quality of freshwater
- The unnecessary use of antibiotics
- Antibiotic’s unrestricted use in agriculture
All attempts to reduce the use of antibiotics in agriculture are still in their early stages. Countries do not want to take their political obligations. The research institutes of major pharmaceutical firms manufacture all modern medicines. They are more interested in producing substances that will earn them more money. Medicines that lower the body’s cholesterol content and boost sexual potency and other substances.
What If People Use Too Many Antibiotics?
Too much dependence on antibiotics can contribute to these side effects.
If used within limits, antibiotics may protect you from diseases and conditions caused by bacteria. But their overuse may make micro-organisms immune to that particular antibiotic. This can lead to some side effects that could be problematic for you.
Here We’re Going To Talk About Them:
1. Digestive Issues
Antibiotics kill both good and poor bacteria present in the intestines. So, they can induce gastrointestinal pain defined by symptoms such as:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Cramps
- Nausea
The condition can become dangerous if you take an empty stomach antibiotic. Gastrointestinal infection can go away as soon as you stop taking the drug. People very rarely develop severe symptoms. These include fever, severe diarrhea, blood or mucus in stools, etc.
2. Fungal Infection
As mentioned above, antibiotics kill healthy bacteria in the intestine. These bacteria are responsible for protecting you against fungal infection. This places you at an increased risk of developing a fungal infection in the mouth, throat, or vagina. Some typical signs and symptoms of a fungal infection include:
- Fever
- Lack of taste
- Irregular vaginal discharge
- Pain during sex
- Pain when eating
3. Photosensitivity
Some antibiotics, such as tetracycline, are known to make the skin very susceptible to sunlight. This means that excessive exposure to sunlight can damage your skin. It can also cause itching, red spots, etc., due to sunburn. Hypersensitivity to natural light may damage your eyes. So, if you are taking antibiotics, avoid exposure to sunlight for longer periods. Also, do not use a high SPF sunscreen and wear protective clothing.
Antibiotic Resistance
On a larger scale, excessive antibiotic prescriptions are a significant cause of drug-resistant bacteria. This type of bacteria has mutated to develop resistance to antibiotics.
MNT published research in 2013. It showed that the US had high rates of unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions for many diseases. National antibiotic prescribing rates should be near 0 percent for bronchitis and 10 percent for strep throat. The only cause of sore throat that needs antibiotics was 60 percent and 73 percent, respectively.
More than 2 million individuals are infected with drug-resistant bacteria per year in the US. And more than 23,000 suffer from these infections.
In 2014, Dr. Steve Solomon told how antibiotic resistance had become a major health challenge.
In the last 70 years, bacteria have shown the ability to be immune to every antibiotic. And the more antibiotics are used, the quicker the resistance of the bacteria can develop.
The use of antibiotics at any time in any setting places a biological pressure on bacteria. This encourages resistance development.
When antibiotics are needed to prevent or cure the infection, we should use them. Analysis has shown that 50% of the time, antibiotics are prescribed when they are not needed. This excessive use of antibiotics excessively promotes resistance to antibiotics.
Is Doctors Overprescribing Medications Like Antibiotics Causing Dependence?
Many studies show that doctors are prescribing more prescriptions in the US than ever before. For the last 20 years, US spending on prescription drugs has risen by $200 billion.
Of course, this is a result of the aging population. Because we live longer, the rates of life-long and age-related diseases are increasing. This means we need more medicines. But that’s not the only cause for this.
Some health care practitioners believe that doctors could be overprescribing medications to patients which may or may not include antibiotics.
Dr. James Lessenger says he also believes that doctors are overprescription medications. However, he believes that implementing treatment guidelines in the US and the rise in evidence-based medication are causing a reduction in overprescribing.
Also, electronic documents are supposed to decrease overprescribing. Insurance providers, database healthcare providers, and hospitals are doing a great job preventing duplicate prescriptions by different doctors. We need to do a more specific study on the prescription of antibiotics and its dependence in our country
