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Antibiotic Medication Effects

My father was on antibiotics for more than a week and he is now very thin. What dishes are good for him?
(July 8, 2010)

An antibiotic is a compound that prevents the growth of bacteria and so antibiotic medication is a type of medication used when fighting infections that are bacteria-based. There are various types of antibiotics and while some of them kill bacteria others only slow down their growth. While this is an effective method of eliminating infections within the body, it does come at a price. There are several types of healthy bacteria within the body that aid bodily functions and processes. This is especially true for the digestive system where healthy bacteria help to break down food so that it can be easily digested.


Antibiotic medication often eliminated both healthy and unhealthy bacteria and so it is necessary to take certain steps to control the damage caused by these medications. It would also be preferable that you avoid broad spectrum antibiotic medication. A broad spectrum antibiotic is one that targets bacteria in general without specifically targeting any particular bacteria that might be causing the illness. The reason for the use of broad spectrum antibiotics is that often, the diagnosis of a condition is time consuming and it may be long before its exact nature is known.

When on an antibiotic medication, it is important to help your body with foods that can boost the process of recovery from the illness. Antibiotic medications can cause a range of different side effects. Typical symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue. A good diet can help alleviate these side effects as well as provide vital nutrition to the body to boost it while it fights the infection.

Yogurt is a good food item to replenish the stomach’s healthy bacteria that help in the digestive process. Along with this, a diet rich in vitamins and minerals is recommended. A healthy diet with fresh fruits and fresh vegetables is likely to provide an energy boost to a patient who is suffering from a bacterial infection. If the infection is located in the stomach, then the advice of the doctor needs to be sought so that foods that will not compromise the digestive process are consumed. Along with a fresh fruit and vegetable diet, small amounts of meat can be consumed. It should be noted that the meat should be fresh and not packaged meat and it would be better to avoid red meat and consume white meat instead. An adequate amount of water is necessary to prevent dehydration and frequent urination is helpful in eliminating toxins. When consuming antibiotics, it may be wise to avoid junk food. Junk food is usually unhealthy as it tends to contain lots of fat and is usually high in sodium. Alcohol consumption while under antibiotic medication must be avoided strictly.
Submitted by S C on July 8, 2010 at 03:00

 

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