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Do Antibiotics Permanently Damage The Gut Flora?
Question: hello I have been taking antibiotics for 3 years with a 1 year gap after the first year for acne, could taking antibiotics have permanently damaged my gut flora? can it ever be restored? because I have seen links of bad gut health to mental illnesses and other health issues. Thank you
Brief Answer:
It can, but mostly temporary; yes there is a link sir, you are right
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Some antibiotics can cause a few adverse reactions to the digestive tract, and when used for long durations can cause some temporary damage to the flora, but from studies this is not something permanent, and in majority of cases, the digestive tract and its function return to normal once the medication is discontinued.
May I also ask which antibiotic(s) you have been on and exactly how long (Each one), if you do not mind sharing that information with me.
You are also right in deducing a link between digestive function and mental illness, and many studies report depression (most common) and anxiety in individuals with diagnosed chronic digestive tract conditions. For this reason, many individuals with chronic conditions (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome) are also prescribed tricyclic anti-depressants as part of their treatment regimen.
I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
It can, but mostly temporary; yes there is a link sir, you are right
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Some antibiotics can cause a few adverse reactions to the digestive tract, and when used for long durations can cause some temporary damage to the flora, but from studies this is not something permanent, and in majority of cases, the digestive tract and its function return to normal once the medication is discontinued.
May I also ask which antibiotic(s) you have been on and exactly how long (Each one), if you do not mind sharing that information with me.
You are also right in deducing a link between digestive function and mental illness, and many studies report depression (most common) and anxiety in individuals with diagnosed chronic digestive tract conditions. For this reason, many individuals with chronic conditions (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome) are also prescribed tricyclic anti-depressants as part of their treatment regimen.
I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
http://chriskresser.com/the-high-price-of-antibiotic-use-can-our-guts-ever-fully-recover/
This is a study I read. Obliviously it doesn't carry great merit, but it states it can cause permanent changes in the gut flora. could you give me your opinion. Thank you
Hello yes I was on oxtetracylcline for the first year. Then I changed on to lymecycline i cantt remember how long for , ive also taken long term bouts of trimethoprim probably around a year with Ceflaxin added in in after 3 months which I took at the same time as trimethoprim for about 6 months, clarithromycin now for about a year, but have just ended it yesterday. and Is there anything I can do to help restore my gut if it has been damaged, probiotics etc?
actually clarithromycin has only been used for bout 5 months not a year
This is a study I read. Obliviously it doesn't carry great merit, but it states it can cause permanent changes in the gut flora. could you give me your opinion. Thank you
Hello yes I was on oxtetracylcline for the first year. Then I changed on to lymecycline i cantt remember how long for , ive also taken long term bouts of trimethoprim probably around a year with Ceflaxin added in in after 3 months which I took at the same time as trimethoprim for about 6 months, clarithromycin now for about a year, but have just ended it yesterday. and Is there anything I can do to help restore my gut if it has been damaged, probiotics etc?
actually clarithromycin has only been used for bout 5 months not a year
Brief Answer:
Does make sense, but not a completely reliable study
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.
Yes, the link you added does not carry much merit, but in my opinion is of course possible, but due to the lack of serious and reliable studies we cannot really assume that, but at the same time cannot turn a blind eye towards the fact that it is possible.
The best and only thing you should and can do to help restore your gut flora is to eat healthy; junk food, oily food, fried food, fatty food, food treated with chemicals, and so on; can all aggravate an already unhealthy gut flora resulting in further complications or worsening.
Those are a lot of antibiotics, and can indeed cause some repercussions. I just hope they were prescribed for a valid reason. And yes, probiotics are good but will mainly promote good digestion; work towards eating healthy, organic and naturally grown food that will allow your gut to heal and restore itself.
Please also feel free to write to me for anything, I am always here to help sir. :)
Best wishes.
Does make sense, but not a completely reliable study
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.
Yes, the link you added does not carry much merit, but in my opinion is of course possible, but due to the lack of serious and reliable studies we cannot really assume that, but at the same time cannot turn a blind eye towards the fact that it is possible.
The best and only thing you should and can do to help restore your gut flora is to eat healthy; junk food, oily food, fried food, fatty food, food treated with chemicals, and so on; can all aggravate an already unhealthy gut flora resulting in further complications or worsening.
Those are a lot of antibiotics, and can indeed cause some repercussions. I just hope they were prescribed for a valid reason. And yes, probiotics are good but will mainly promote good digestion; work towards eating healthy, organic and naturally grown food that will allow your gut to heal and restore itself.
Please also feel free to write to me for anything, I am always here to help sir. :)
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What could the repercussions be? Anything I may not have recognised? They were all prescribed for acne when the ones prior did not give much beneficial results. Given that I have been on antibiotics for a long time, how long could it take for my gut to heal if I am generally healthy otherwise? I have had rare cases of diarrhoea on the antibiotics but how likely is it that my digestive tract was damaged? and should I have anything to worry about? especially in my long term general health and mental health. Thank you
Brief Answer:
I think you should be able to recover well enough within a year
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Repercussions of course relate to the digestive tract like erosion of the flora, bleeding, ulcers, digestive difficulties, etc. I am sure you all the signs or symptoms would be quite obvious and in the open for you to observe sir.
I think it would take about 6-12 months maximum, if it is followed by continuation of care by you to prevent damage or aggravation.
The diarrhoea would not have caused significant damage, so do not worry about that. I do not think there is anything serious to worry about sir. Just make sure you always take special care to avoid aggravation of your bowels and you should be fine. :)
Best wishes.
I think you should be able to recover well enough within a year
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Repercussions of course relate to the digestive tract like erosion of the flora, bleeding, ulcers, digestive difficulties, etc. I am sure you all the signs or symptoms would be quite obvious and in the open for you to observe sir.
I think it would take about 6-12 months maximum, if it is followed by continuation of care by you to prevent damage or aggravation.
The diarrhoea would not have caused significant damage, so do not worry about that. I do not think there is anything serious to worry about sir. Just make sure you always take special care to avoid aggravation of your bowels and you should be fine. :)
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Okay thank you very much for your help. So if there was any permanent damage I would be very aware of it? Lastly Are there any specific healthy diets you recommend or anything specifically beneficial to help me recover like fermented foods?
Thank you again for your help.
Oh also this is a different question if you don't mind answering, since ive exhausted antibiotics for the treatment of acne, I'm looking at at going on isotretinoin/accutane, is there any other recommended drugs for acne that you are aware of that are effective?
Thank you again for your help.
Oh also this is a different question if you don't mind answering, since ive exhausted antibiotics for the treatment of acne, I'm looking at at going on isotretinoin/accutane, is there any other recommended drugs for acne that you are aware of that are effective?
Brief Answer:
The usual health-freak diets :)
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Of course, you would be aware of it sir. :)
Basically sir avoid the following:
+Smoked food
+Oily food
+Fried food
+Fatty food
+Food containing chemicals
+Carbonated drinks
+Alcohol
+Carcinogen containing food
+Burnt food
Go for:
+Organic food
+Farm grown meat and vegetables and fruits
And all that is considered unhealthy sir, the usual health-freak diets.
Best wishes.
The usual health-freak diets :)
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Of course, you would be aware of it sir. :)
Basically sir avoid the following:
+Smoked food
+Oily food
+Fried food
+Fatty food
+Food containing chemicals
+Carbonated drinks
+Alcohol
+Carcinogen containing food
+Burnt food
Go for:
+Organic food
+Farm grown meat and vegetables and fruits
And all that is considered unhealthy sir, the usual health-freak diets.
Best wishes.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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