FREE SHIPPING! On online orders of $74+. Use code: SHIP74 
Access Denied
IMPORTANT! If you’re a store owner, please make sure you have Customer accounts enabled in your Store Admin, as you have customer based locks set up with EasyLockdown app. Enable Customer Accounts
Keep Antibiotics Working: New Health Campaign in England
Paula Gallagher on
It is no secret, that antibiotics are the most prescribed drug. Patients are quickly prescribed antibiotics for things like ear and sinus infections. But how are effective are they? It turns out that the overprescribing of antibiotics is actually decreasing their efficacy.
A few years ago, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) noted that treating sinus infections with antibiotics (standard practice in the US) wouldn't help most cases and may actually do more harm.
According to the IDSA, sinus infections are the fifth leading reason for antibiotic prescriptions, but as many as 98% of these infections are caused by viruses. Antibiotics do not and cannot treat viruses. Because there is no easy way to determine whether the infection is viral or bacterial, many doctors prescribe antibiotics... just in case. The problem with this is that since most infections aren’t bacterial, the antibiotics won't help and can actually increase antibiotic resistance.
Now Public Health England (PHE) has launched the Keep Antibiotics Working campaign aimed at tackling growing resistance to the drugs. According to PHE, an estimated 5,000 people die every year in England because antibiotics no longer work for some infections.
The government wants to see a further drop in the number of antibiotic prescriptions issued by doctors to tackle the threat from resistance. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria change in such a way that the medication used to treat them, in this case antibiotics, becomes ineffective.
Antibiotics do not work on many common conditions, such as colds, flu, earache, sore throats and some chest infections. However, people should see their GP if they have prolonged symptoms and develop other issues such as a sickness, a very high temperature or shortness of breath.
According to England’s chief medical officer, Dame Sally Davies, “Without effective antibiotics, minor infections could become deadly and many medical advances could be at risk – surgery, chemotherapy and Caesareans could become simply too dangerous. But reducing inappropriate use of antibiotics can help us stay ahead of superbugs."
And although this campaign is starting in England, it is not isolated to them. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), each year in the United States at least 2 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics and at least 23,000 people die each year as a direct result of these infections.
If you are on antibiotics, consider taking a probiotic. Antibiotics do not discriminate between good and bad bacteria – they tend to wipe out both. Taking a good, high dose probiotic will help restore beneficial microbes that are destroyed by antibiotics.
The key is to take the probiotic and antibiotic several hours apart, so they aren't canceling each other out. For more information regarding Pathway probiotics, contact Village Green Apothecary.
Photo from here, with thanks.
Categories
Categories
Humanized Health - NEW!
Learn about personalized health from top experts! Check out our fascinating new shows every week, available as videos, podcasts and transcripts.:
Our Bloggers
-
Paula Gallagher
Paula is a highly qualified and experienced nutrition counselor on the staff at Village Green.
read more.. -
Margo Gladding
Margo's impressive knowledge base is the result of a unique blend of educational and professional experience.
read more.. -
Dr. Neal Barnard
Dr. Barnard leads programs advocating for preventive medicine, good nutrition, and higher ethical standards in research.
read more.. -
Dr. Joseph Pizzorno
Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, ND is a pioneer of integrative medicine and a leading authority on science-based natural medicine.
read more.. -
Debi Silber
Debi is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition, a personal trainer, and whole health coach.
read more..
SEE ALL OF OUR BLOGGERS
Invalid password
Enter
Learning Resources
Consultations
Green Initiatives
Pharmacy/Compounding
Humanized Health
Village Green Blog
Stay Connected
Village Green Apothecary
5415 W Cedar Ln
Bethesda, Maryland, 20814
(301) 530-0800
Toll Free: (800) 869-9159
The information provided on this site is not intended to be a substitute for advice or treatment from a qualified physician, nor is it intended to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Consult your physician prior to starting any new health program or if you any questions regarding a medical condition.
© 2023 Village Green Apothecary - All Rights Reserved.