Increased Antibiotic Use by Lisa Zhang
Antibiotics changed medicine, saving millions of lives since Alexander Flemming discovered penicillin in 1928. However, their overuse is becoming increasingly common, leading to one of the largest public health threats of our time: antibiotic resistance. Recent statistics show that nearly 5 million deaths per year are associated with antibiotic resistant infections, and the number is still rising steadily. In this chapter, we’ll dive into what antibiotics are, the reason behind increased usage, health problems associated with overusing, and what we can do to protect ourselves and future generations.
What are Antibiotics?
Antibiotics are a type of medicine used to treat bacterial infections. They either kill the bacteria directly or stop them from multiplying, which aids the body’s immune system in fighting the infection off. Typical examples of antibiotics are penicillin, amoxicillin, and ciprofloxacin. A common misconception is that antibiotics work against viruses. But in fact, they do not. Colds, flus, and most sore throats are caused by viruses, and taking antibiotics in these circumstances will not help, and may even cause harm.
Why is Antibiotic Use Increasing?
Several factors have contributed to the arising antibiotic use worldwide:
Over-prescription by doctors: Many physicians prescribe antibiotics even when they are unsure if the infection is bacterial, often as a “safer” option.
Patient demand: Some patients ask for antibiotics whenever they are sick, even if they do not need them. This often leads to unnecessary prescriptions, especially if the medication in question is over-the-counter.
Agricultural usage: In many countries, antibiotics are fed to livestock to stimulate growth and prevent disease (which can easily spread in crowded farming conditions). Hence, it contributes to the resistant bacteria that can spread to humans.
Health Problems Caused By Overuse
The overuse of antibiotics has serious effects on health:
Antibiotic resistance: The bacteria may evolve over time, becoming resistant to the drugs designed to kill them. These new mutations become harder to kill, and can cause severe illness or death.
Gut damage: Antibiotics kill harmful bacteria, but they also harm beneficial bacteria, especially in the gut. This is called dysbiosis, and can lead to side effects including but not limited to vomiting and obesity. This also leads to a weakened immune system, and a higher chance of developing allergies or other autoimmune disorders.
What Can We Do?
In order to prevent the negative side effects from overdosing antibiotics, we should:
Only take antibiotics prescribed by a doctor, in the correct dosage.
Never use leftover or expired prescriptions.
Ask physicians whether antibiotics are really necessary for the condition.
Support our gut health by eating probiotic rich foods and fibre.
Antibiotics are one of the most important discoveries in the medical field, and remain an essential tool in modern day medicine. However, we should be aware of the rising antibiotic overuse crisis, which may put us at risk of returning to a time when simple infections were fatal. The solution should not be to stop antibiotic use entirely, but to use them wisely. By understanding the risks and making right choices, we can preserve these drugs and our health.
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