Diarrhea while taking antibiotics what to do. Causes of diarrhea while taking antibiotics

An antibiotic is a drug designed to slow down the growth of microbial flora. The drug has a bactericidal effect, which determines the ability to create conditions where the existence of microbial cells is impossible. The bactericidal action is the reason that the antibiotic is used in the treatment of these diseases:

gastrointestinal tract;
skin;
urinary organs;
ENT organs;
respiratory organs.

Antibiotics are effective for treating infectious diseases. However, like many drugs, antibiotics have side effects (starting with mild nausea, ending with kidney and liver failure). The most unpleasant secondary effect when taking antibiotics is that drugs cause.

Due to their effectiveness, antibiotics are often used to treat various diseases. More and more people began to self-medicate using the drug. If you use the medicine too often, its effectiveness drops, the human body gets used to it and stops responding to the active substance. With independent use of the drug, it is often used incorrectly, which provokes the appearance of side effects after antibiotics.

A common side effect of antibiotics is antibiotic-associated diarrhea, the occurrence of which is due to the regular use of penicillins, cephalosporins, or a number of drugs at the same time. There are other reasons for loose stools after taking this drug.

The first reason that diarrhea can begin is intestinal dysbacteriosis (disorder). The occurrence is due to the use of antibiotics of the aminoglycoside groups, tetracyclines.

The human body contains bacteria that occur against the background of taking antibiotics when the microflora changes. The antimicrobial drug destroys the necessary bacteria responsible for the life of the stomach (bifidobacteria, lactobacilli) along with harmful bacteria (pathogenic flora). Due to the imbalance of harmful microorganisms, there are predominantly more beneficial ones. The urge to defecate occurs due to stimulation of the smooth muscles of the intestine.

The laxative effect of the drug

If the diarrhea started due to antibiotics, a laxative drug may have been used. This secondary action lasts a couple of days. This side effect is typical for drugs that enhance intestinal motility, for example, the macrolide group.

Pseudomembranous ulcerative colitis

One of the causes of diarrhea from taking antibiotics is considered. The appearance is due to prolonged use of the drug or the use of one type of antibiotic. The pathogenic microorganism Clostridium difficile causes harm to the body, it is difficult for the human body to get rid of the microbe. The microorganism Clostridium difficile is resistant to antimicrobial drugs.

Pseudomembranous ulcerative colitis is usually considered a separate disease, it is characterized by the following symptoms:

copious, loose stools;
bowel movements up to 30 times a day (greenish discharge, putrid odor);
increased body temperature;
weakness of the body, dizziness;
I have a stomachache;
migraine;
vomit.

If the described symptoms appear, you should immediately contact a medical facility. Ignoring the disease will lead to the development of complications, dehydration.

Diarrhea treatment

The appearance of diarrhea is observed at the beginning of the use of antibiotics and throughout treatment. For the treatment of diarrhea, medical, folk methods are used. For recovery, an integrated approach is used, including the use of restorative drugs and a specially designed dietary regimen.

Diarrhea associated with the use of antibiotics should be treated quickly and in a timely manner. When the first symptoms appear, you should immediately visit a doctor. The most dangerous thing in such a situation is to be treated on your own. Such actions are accompanied by complications in the form of side effects.

First aid

First of all, with diarrhea that appeared from antibiotics, it is necessary to interrupt the use of the medicine. The age of the patient affects the method of treatment. Depending on the age category, the treatment differs:

Pharmacy medicines

Medications are prescribed by the attending doctor. An independent course of treatment can harm a person, causing complications. They prescribe means that normalize the work of the intestines, due to the beneficial microflora contained in them. Means prevent diarrhea, restore intestinal microflora. Which medication to prescribe, the doctor decides. The doctor starts from the present symptoms, diseases, the patient's condition. The most effective medicines:

Loperamide. It is prescribed for severe diarrhea. Differs in speed. Available in the form of tablets, capsules and drops. It is allowed to take children over 4 years old, women during pregnancy.
Bifidumbacterin. A similar remedy, but the effect occurs after 2-3 applications. Suitable for treating children.
Linex. One of the most popular treatments for diarrhea. Differs in the efficiency, safety. Effective from the first day of use.
Imodium. A quick remedy to cure diarrhea, it helps within an hour after application. Available in tablets. It has contraindications: children under 6 years of age, pregnant and lactating women, individual intolerance to the components.

Folk medicines

From the daily diet, you need to exclude products:
fiber;
semi-finished products;
margarine;
sausages;
canned food;
all kinds of sweets.

The diet is observed until the signs of the disease disappear completely.
Rules for taking antibiotics
Most often, a deterioration in well-being in people appears if medicines are used incorrectly. For this reason, you should remember the rules of application:
take into account the recommendations of the doctor;
read the instructions, follow the recommendations;
use the appropriate dosage (frequent use causes side effects);
during the use of medications (especially after injections), it is desirable to reduce physical and psychological stress (avoid stress, intense physical exertion).

To prevent the occurrence of loose stools, an adult consumes probiotics.
Follow the rules for taking antibiotics and remember: the sooner you start treatment, the sooner recovery will come. Be healthy!

If a person visits the toilet to empty their bowels more than three times, then we can talk about diarrhea. It can occur in various pathological processes that occur not only in the gastrointestinal tract.

With a serious illness, a person cannot go far from the toilet, since the urge occurs quickly and 20-30 times a day. But antibiotics for diarrhea are prescribed in exceptional cases, and only when the infection is acute.

Causes of diarrhea

Diarrhea is not a separate disease, it is just a symptom that makes it clear that a pathological process is taking place in the gastrointestinal tract. During diarrhea, the stool becomes watery, as the digestive process is accelerated due to increased intestinal motility, which is necessary for the rapid elimination of the toxin.

Could the symptom be dangerous, or is it just an inconvenience? The intestines do not absorb substances necessary for the body and water, which can cause dehydration or a violation of the intestinal mucosa.

Liquid stool in humans occurs as a result of:

the development of a bacterial infection (not only bacteria can cause disorders, but also the toxins they release);
infection with a viral infection (enteroviruses, caliciviruses, rotoviruses);
disruption of the intestines due to the activity of helminths (worms);
inflammatory process occurring in the large or small intestine;
pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract (lactase deficiency, lack of enzymes and bile, malabsorption);
poisoning;
dysbacteriosis (change in the ratio of beneficial and pathogenic microflora);
allergic reaction;
overeating;
eating excessively fatty foods.

Taking antibiotics for diarrhea is not always justified

Antibiotics are prescribed only if diarrhea is caused by a bacterial infection, such as cholera, salmonellosis, dysentery. The drug is necessary to destroy the pathogenic microflora that develops in the gastrointestinal tract.

In case of poisoning with stale foods, toxins penetrate the gastrointestinal tract, which the body tries to remove with the help of vomiting and diarrhea. In this case, an antibiotic is not required. Sorbents are prescribed (Smecta, activated charcoal), which bind toxins and bring them out, this helps to stop diarrhea.

In viral diseases, antibiotics are useless, because they are unable to somehow affect the life cycle of the virus. To cure diarrhea, you will need to take antiviral drugs. The helminth located in the intestine, in the process of life, releases toxins that lead to intoxication or to a violation of the integrity of the intestinal wall. Treatment is required with anthelmintic drugs and is carried out for a long time in order to destroy not only adults, but also larvae.

It is forbidden to take antibacterial drugs for antibiotic-associated diarrhea, that is, stool disorders caused by drug therapy. Broad-spectrum antibiotics kill not only the pathogenic flora, but also the beneficial ones.

Therefore, against the background of prolonged use of antibiotics, the intestinal microflora changes, which provokes the appearance of diarrhea. This condition disappears after colonization of the intestines with beneficial bacteria. This process can be accelerated by taking probiotics, eating a lot of fermented milk products.

Signs of a bacterial infection

According to statistics, most people get diarrhea as a result of a bacterial infection. It can enter the body with contaminated water, unwashed products, as a result of non-compliance with basic hygiene.

The doctor will prescribe an antibiotic if the patient has the following symptoms:

copious discharge;
loose stools with green patches or green mucus;
a lot of mucus is produced;
there is bleeding.

Also often bacterial diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting, fever, painful urge to defecate (tenesmus)

If you notice that diarrhea with blood has begun, then you urgently need to seek medical help. A similar symptom is very disturbing, it may indicate the development of a tumor in the intestines, hemorrhoids, or Crohn's disease.

When is an antibiotic needed for diarrhea?

Antibiotics for diarrhea require the following diseases.

Dysentery

The causative agent is shegella, the toxins of which affect the large intestine. Infection occurs by contact-household, water and alimentary routes. The disease is manifested by pain in the abdomen, dysentery, hyperthermia, lethargy.

With an average degree of flow, the frequency of stools can reach 20 times a day, and while there is content in the intestines, feces with mucus, pus and blood come out, then only mucus and blood come out. The acute stage can last from 4 to 30 days.

salmonellosis

Poor hygiene can lead to salmonella contamination. The bacterium multiplies in the colon and releases a toxin that disrupts vascular tone, leads to fluid loss, and causes damage to the nervous system. A hallmark of the disease is frequent watery stools. With a mild course of infection and in the absence of blood in the stool, antibiotics are not prescribed.

Typhoid fever

Bacilli infect the intestinal mucosa and disrupt its peristalsis. Bacteria circulating in the bloodstream are partially killed, which leads to the release of endotoxin (if there is a lot of it, then the patient may experience toxic shock).

Symptoms of the disease are pallor of the skin, loss of appetite, headache, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, hyperthermia, and a rash. In especially severe cases, hallucinations, delirium, lethargy are possible.

Cholera

The disease is epidemiological in nature. Infection occurs through contaminated water and food, flies are also carriers of infection. Cholera toxin in a mild form of the disease can cause single vomiting and diarrhea, intense thirst, and weakness. In severe stools more than 20 times a day, there is no pain in the abdomen, frequent vomiting, muscle cramps appear, the patient cannot quench his thirst. Death can occur within 2 days.

Escherichiosis

A pathogenic bacillus affects the small intestine, while a pronounced intoxication syndrome may be absent. The patient feels weak, the temperature is normal or slightly elevated, the pain in the abdomen is cramping, the stool is liquid, plentiful, after which it becomes stoolless, watery. Why diarrhea occurred and how to treat it should be determined by the doctor. The patient is assigned to take blood and feces for analysis. If diarrhea has an unclear etiology, then symptomatic therapy is carried out.

With diarrhea, do not try to make a diagnosis yourself, this should be done by a doctor, based on the results of laboratory tests.

What antibiotic to drink for bacterial diarrhea

The choice of antibiotic depends on the cause of the stool disorder. The goal of antibiotic therapy is to destroy the pathogenic microflora and restore functionality to the intestines. Also, the treatment regimen may include sulfanilamide, antiseptic drugs, agents for the normalization of intestinal microflora, probiotics, inhibitors of peristalsis and secretion, antidiarrheal, astringent and enveloping drugs.

The most commonly prescribed antibiotics for severe diarrhea in adults are:

Levomycetin. It is a broad-spectrum drug, that is, it is able to suppress an infection caused by several bacteria. Effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, pathogens of intestinal infections. The drug disrupts the process of protein synthesis in the microbial cell, which makes it impossible to reproduce. It is prescribed if other antibacterial drugs are ineffective (refers to reserve ones), since it has a long list of contraindications and side effects. You need to drink tablets 2-3 times a day. The duration of the course is 7 days.
Amoxicillin. The drug is effective in the fight against intestinal infections. It belongs to the group of penicillin antibiotics, which means it is the safest and, like all antibiotics of this series, is destroyed by the action of beta-lactamases. Interferes with reproduction and causes lysis of gram-positive and gram-negative cocci and several gram-negative rods. Stable in an acidic environment, 1-2 hours after ingestion accumulates in therapeutic doses in the intestinal mucosa. Take 2 capsules 3-4 times a day.
Metronidazole. Refers to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Suppresses the synthesis of nucleic acids, which leads to the death of bacteria. Effective against protozoa, obligate anaerobic and some gram-positive bacteria. In combination with amoxicillin, it has a synergistic effect. You need to drink 2 tablets per day.
Ciprofloxacin. A potent antibiotic. Effective in the development of infection in the gastrointestinal tract caused by enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli. The drug is able to enhance or inhibit the action of many drugs. It is taken within 5 days, 1-2 tablets.

After taking antibiotics, you need to restore the intestinal microflora

Which antibiotics are more appropriate to take will be determined by the doctor, based not only on the symptoms of the disease, but also taking into account the condition of the patient's gastrointestinal tract and previous antibiotic therapy. Treatment can be carried out on an outpatient basis or in a hospital, provided that the patient is shown injections.

First aid for diarrhea

Before contacting a doctor and making an accurate diagnosis, it is recommended to adhere to the following recommendations. You need to drink plenty of fluids. Since the water-salt balance is sharply disturbed during diarrhea, it must be normalized. Saline solution, salted water or a decoction based on chamomile will help.

You can drink Regidron or Oralit (drugs to restore electrolyte balance).

You should drink sorbents (coal, Enterosgel, Smektu). They will help remove harmful substances from the body. Refrain from eating for the first 4-6 hours, then follow a diet that excludes green tea, coffee, fruit juices, dairy and flour products, pork and everything spicy from the diet.

It is recommended to use jelly, a decoction of raspberry leaves, bird cherry, chamomile, fermented milk products, cereals on the water, soups. During long-term use of antibiotics, you need to support the digestive system. Firstly, do not overload it, and secondly, take lactobacilli, which are contained in medicines and fermented milk products.

If diarrhea persists for a long time (more than three days), then you need to see a doctor. How long therapy will last depends on the cause of diarrhea and the severity of the course of the disease. A five-day course may be enough, or you may need to take antibacterial drugs for ten days after the stool is restored.

Diarrhea after antibiotics occurs due to a significant decrease in the number of microbes that affect the optimal functioning of the digestive tract. As a result of the imbalance, individual strains are formed. In most cases, the pathological condition develops as a result of taking titramycin and erythromycin substances. Diarrheal manifestations last in most cases 3-7 days.

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (ICD code K52.9) type is a dangerous disease that is accompanied by stool disorder after the use of antibacterial agents. The disease is characterized by dyspeptic symptoms. A high level of flatulence is combined with sharp pains in the abdomen, weakness of the body and feverish manifestations. Diagnosis of pathology is carried out by analyzing feces and endoscopic studies of the suction organ.

AAD has loose stools that last more than 2 days. Pathology is characterized by a stopping form and prolonged colitis. The disease occurs after a long or too short course of recovery. Antibiotics eliminate pathogenic microorganisms, healthy intestinal microflora. With invasive methods of studying the suction organ (colonoscopy), no pathological changes will be detected. Among the drugs that provoke the development of diarrhea, include:

"Lincomycin" 20% - an antibacterial agent of the system spectrum of use, eliminates the process of protein synthesis;
"Clindamycin" 30% is a semi-synthetic antibiotic used to eliminate infectious and inflammatory diseases;
"Amoxiclav" 10-20%, "Cefixime" and "Ampicillin", the course should be drunk after the appointment.

Causes of diarrhea after taking antibiotics

Antibacterial drugs effectively neutralize viral diseases in the human body. Along with this, drugs can provoke the development of diarrhea or diarrhea. This phenomenon is common. The systematic use of antibiotics in the form of capsules and tablets is fraught with complications in the functioning of the intestine. The microflora of the suction organ changes. Strains of bacteria form prolonged bouts of diarrhea. Before taking medications, you should carefully study the instructions. A preliminary consultation with a doctor will not hurt.

The main causes of dysfunction of the digestive tract:

The antibiotic was used by the elderly. A mature organism processes active substances more problematic, assimilating their derivatives. Chemical reactions become slower and less efficient.
Diagnosis of diseases of the digestive system of acute and chronic types. With a weakened immune system, the risk of developing gastrointestinal dysfunction is high.
Diseases of the somatic type. Of particular danger is the ailment of the circulatory system, disorders of the respiratory system. Diarrhea can be aggravated by skin burns and genetic pathologies.
Overdose of medication. In some cases, people increase the concentration of a substance in order to maximize the healing effect. As a result, patients achieve the opposite effect.
Violation of the therapeutic regimen. Medications should be taken at the same time. With systematic and precise treatment, the maximum benefit is achieved.
Individual intolerance to active components. In some cases, the human body is able to give allergic reactions in the form of rashes on the skin. Complications are treated by professional dermatologists and gastroenterologists.

If diarrhea occurs on the first day, you should respond without delay. When your bowel movement reaches a liquid state, don't panic. First of all, visit the office of an experienced doctor. The best option is a modern specialized medical clinic. The specialist will conduct a comprehensive examination of the body and select the optimal recovery scheme after infection.

Diarrhea after antibiotics are prescribed is common. Over time, the intestinal microflora is independently restored. There are several options for high-quality therapeutic effects.

Strict diet + competent drinking regimen

Normalization of stool and intestinal peristalsis is carried out with the help of light liquid-type cereals. First of all, this applies to semolina and buckwheat. Next, steam omelet and rice-based soups are perfect. Among the drinks, fresh fruit jelly is prepared. Berries have a high-quality astringent effect. The daily menu should include baked apples and boiled eggs. Homemade crackers are an alternative to bread. The use of products with fiber and lactic acid products is not allowed. Such dishes increase diarrhea attacks and additionally irritate the intestines.

ethnoscience

Experienced herbalists use special infusions and decoctions to restore defecation. Plant components have a sorbent, astringent effect. An effective remedy for normalizing stool is an infusion of St. John's wort (yellow-green), yarrow, mint and nettle. The healing elixir is drunk throughout the day in small doses.

The priority in nutrition should be natural yogurt. A balanced drinking regimen plays a key role in the recovery of a person with loose stools. During the period of diarrhea, doctors recommend that patients consume up to 3 liters of purified liquid per day. For this, water, unsweetened compote, a weak rosehip broth and fresh juice are suitable. Drinks will gradually heal and give an antimicrobial result.

The recipe for effective decoctions and mixtures:

rice drink - boil 125 g of rice in 1 liter of water, the grains are filtered and drunk 150 g every 180 minutes;
concentrated infusion of oak bark - you will need 200 g of crushed tree bark and 200 g of dry calamus leaves, pour 250 boiling water, soak for 40 minutes, use 100 ml every 8 hours before meals;
pomegranate peel 1 tsp + 250 ml of water - the composition is boiled in a container over low heat for no more than 5 minutes, consumed 20 minutes before meals in the amount of 200 ml;
plantain (1 tbsp) + lingonberry leaf (1 tbsp) + black mountain ash, mint, eucalyptus (2 tsp total), ingredients pour 1 liter of boiling water and stand in a teapot for 2-3 minutes (drink week, 30 ml every 2.5 hours).

How to stop diarrhea after antibiotics

Diet accelerates the recovery of the human body after diarrhea. However, to maximize the effect, it is recommended to use medications. As a result, complex treatment will give a positive effect. Drug therapy is based on the following groups of drugs.

Substance class	pharmachologic effect	Name of substances
Antibacterial agents	The compounds are actively used to combat pseudomembranous colitis. The active ingredients destroy bacteria of the "Difficile" type (dangerous pathogen). Antibiotic therapy affects the condition of the liver.	The medicine "Enterofuril", "Metronidazole" and "Nifuroksazid". Use medicines according to the instructions (including an injection).
Probiotic substances	Concentrated preparations have bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. The basis of the wellness procedure is the restoration of intestinal microflora. The probiotic affects the functioning of the digestive system.	Substance "Linex" is an effective tool for the treatment of diarrhea. An alternative is "Baktisubtil" and "Colabacterin" (complex application is carried out).
Prebiotic Compounds	The medicine is made on the basis of carbohydrates, which are a source of growth of beneficial bacteria. Over time, unpleasant symptoms will be eliminated.	The drug "Laktofiltrum" and "Hilak Forte" have an effective result even at home. Sometimes there is mild nausea and vomiting.
Effective enterosorbents	The basis of production is charcoal and mineral-type compounds. Purification of the suction organ from toxins will be operational. Intestinal motility will return to its previous level.	"Smecta", "Enterosgel" and the classic "Activated carbon" (tablet).
Rehydrators	Special powders are diluted with water. Consistency includes salt, glucose and vitamins. These substances are actively involved in the restoration of water and electrolyte balance. The treatment format is great for kids. During pregnancy, consult your doctor. It is recommended to prescribe substances after passing the tests.	Normohydron and Regidron are freely sold in pharmacies.

How long does indigestion last after antibiotics

Antibacterial drugs have a detrimental effect on the intestinal microflora. Modern pharmacology has effective compounds that restore flora colonies to ensure the normal functioning of the digestive system.

How long antibiotic-associated diarrhea lasts depends on the form of manifestation of the disease:

Light. Intestinal peristalsis returns to normal immediately after stopping the medication. The adult body copes with the pathology faster, the organs of the gastrointestinal tract of the child - slowly. An important condition is to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Average level. It takes from 3 to 7 days to restore the work of the digestive tract. In this case, a person must adhere to a diet, complex treatment. An important factor is the elimination of major diseases (ulcers, pancreatitis, Crohn's disease, etc.). Medications should be taken after the examination.
Acute degree. The pathological condition is caused by the activity of Clostridia. Diarrheal manifestations subside within 3 days after the start of treatment. After some time, the disorder may recur. Recovery should be carried out in several stages.

In severe cases of diarrhea, the patient needs urgent hospitalization. An urgent appeal to the clinic for help will allow you to avoid additional disorders and complications in time. A qualified doctor will diagnose the body and select the optimal recovery scheme (after an expert opinion). Antibiotic association of the body should be under the supervision of an experienced doctor.

Possible complications

Unfortunately, dehydration due to diarrhea can be fatal. Each case of the development of pathology can end sadly. The main options for complications of the disease:

severe shock of a septic or hypovolemic format - blood supply and tachycardia are disturbed, it is recommended to get rid of the disease sequentially (within a month);
insufficiency in the work of the kidneys - acidosis of the metabolic format is detected in the blood, rapid breathing develops, consciousness failures, high temperature;
hypokalemia - there is bloating, heartburn, the antibiotic effect can lead to complications;
convulsions + convulsions - patients are at risk of internal bleeding and hepatic vein thrombosis.

DIC is especially dangerous. Pathology lies in the ability of blood to clot directly in the vessels. As a result, a significant number of blood clots and dense structures are formed in the channels.

It is difficult to imagine modern medicine without antibiotic therapy, which can cope with many serious ailments and prevent the development of serious complications. But it is known that antimicrobial medications destroy not only pathogenic bacteria, but also destroy the beneficial intestinal environment. As a result, patients suffer from indigestion and diarrhea. Everyone should know what to do if diarrhea starts after antibiotics, and how to treat it, but an experienced specialist should decide which pills to take.

Why Disorder Occurs

Before wondering how to cure diarrhea, it is necessary to establish its true cause. Often, diarrhea that occurs while taking antibiotics is provoked by several factors:

The laxative effect of drugs.
An infectious lesion that occurs due to a reduced resistance of the body and the penetration of pathogens.
Prolonged antibiotic therapy.
Self-correction of dosage and unauthorized prescription of drugs.

Can there be diarrhea after taking antimicrobial agents, many patients are interested and receive an affirmative answer. Some medications have a laxative effect on the intestines, for example, macrolides. Diarrhea that develops from taking these antibiotics is often mild and resolves quickly.

Other drugs cause dysbacteriosis. At the same time, there are much fewer “good” microorganisms in the intestines than “bad” ones. Some antibacterial agents (for example, drugs of the tetracycline group) inhibit the growth of beneficial microflora, contributing to the development of pathogens in certain areas of the intestine.

It is especially dangerous when, during antibiotic treatment, the bacteria that form the normal intestinal microflora die. As a result of their death, there is an increased reproduction of anaerobic microorganisms Clostridium difficile (genus Clostridium), resistant to many types of drugs. At the same time, the patient has a stomach ache, diarrhea appears up to thirty times a day, the temperature rises significantly.

Important! Loose stools are observed during treatment with antibacterial drugs quite often, especially in individuals susceptible to the side effects of medications.

laxative effect

Disorder of the stool during the use of laxative antimicrobial medications may occur in the early days. For such patients, to normalize the condition, it is enough to restore the intestinal microflora without interrupting treatment.

The combined use of several antibacterial agents significantly increases the risk of diarrhea. Much depends on the dosage form of the drug. Oral use of tablets / capsules often leads to a pathological process.

It is necessary to consult a doctor and take appropriate therapeutic measures if, with loose stools, there are:

Elevated temperature.
Pain syndrome in the abdomen.
Signs of intoxication (nausea, vomiting,)

Violation of microflora

Often diarrhea develops for this reason. Due to the effects of antibiotics, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, which are beneficial to the body, die. The development of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, preventing the formation of normal flora, is facilitated by:

Tetracyclines.
Aminoglycosides.

Over time, the intestinal microflora is restored on its own. Whether it is necessary to see a doctor for mild forms of the disorder, the patient decides. But if the diarrhea does not go away for a long time, a specialist consultation is required.

If diarrhea after antibiotics is complicated by the addition of the pathogen C. Difficile, then symptoms such as:

Heat.
Lethargy.
Sweating.
Rapid loose stools.
Soreness, cutting in the abdomen.
Painful nausea.
Gagging

This condition can be diagnosed by conducting a microbiological study (sowing feces on pathflora).

Most often, pathology occurs in:

Persons with chronic diseases that lower the protective functions of the body.
Pregnant women and women during natural feeding.
Old people.
HIV-infected.
People who take antibiotics along with rapid-acting laxatives and cancer medications.

Important! To stop diarrhea when taking antibiotics, a medical consultation and diagnosis is required. Self-medication can aggravate the situation and lead to serious consequences.

Help with diarrhea

Only an experienced specialist will tell you how to quickly and effectively stop diarrhea after antibiotics in an adult and in a child. Basically, complex therapy is used to solve the problem:

Power correction.
The use of medicines.
Compliance with preventive measures.

If a child takes antibiotics and has diarrhea, it is necessary to consult with a pediatrician: tell, name the drug, clarify the time of the start of therapy.

Diet

To use, it is recommended to change the diet. The patient should refuse fatty, spicy, salty foods, mayonnaise, ketchup, seasonings, sausages. All food should be thermally processed and easily digestible. Only the right diet can stop diarrhea.

When you need to quickly normalize the condition, you should use:

Kashi.
Kiseli.
Uncooked crackers

Fixing rice broths, as well as boiled eggs, must be present on the patient's table. Then the menu is gradually enriched with vegetables, lean fish and meat, steamed omelettes.

Medical therapy

What medications to treat diarrhea that began after taking antibiotics in an adult and a child, the specialist will tell you.

In case of dysbacteriosis caused by antibiotic therapy, probiotics should be used. With diarrhea of this nature, they usually take:

Linex. Of the medicines for diarrhea, it is considered the most effective probiotic. It contains lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, which help both adult patients and children.
RioFlora Balance Neo. Another representative of effective probiotic drugs that help stabilize the intestinal microflora and eliminate the disorder caused by antibiotic therapy.
Bifiform. In capsule form, it is used for diarrhea caused by antibiotic treatment and malnutrition. Approved for persons with lactose intolerance.

With severe diarrhea with a stool frequency of more than 5 times a day, medical attention is needed. For example, pseudomembranous ulcerative colitis requires the complete abolition of antibiotic therapy and inpatient treatment.

Enterosorbents will help to remove toxic substances:

Smecta based on diosmectite.
Activated carbon created from substances of natural origin.
Enterosgel, which is based on methylsilicic acid hydrogel.

The use of drugs such as Imodium and Loperamide in the onset of diarrhea after antibiotics should be treated with extreme caution. Especially with moderate and severe forms of flow. Treatment of diarrhea with medications that inhibit intestinal motility and reduce the number of urges to defecate should be prescribed by a specialist in combination with probiotics.

Important! , which began after the use of antibiotics, signals the development of pseudomembranous colitis. It is impossible to use antidiarrheal drugs here, since they reduce the excretion of pathogens, increasing the severity of the pathological process.

If a person has diarrhea, he must observe the correct drinking regimen (drink at least 3 liters per day) and take rehydrators to restore the water-salt balance: Regidron. Normohydron.

Folk remedies

From alternative medicine for diarrhea will help:

Dill seeds. Boil 0.5 teaspoon of raw materials in half a glass of water for about 20 minutes. After the decoction is insisted for an hour and taken in small sips throughout the day.
Melissa. Diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics is eliminated by a warm drink based on lemon balm leaves. They are brewed like regular tea and drunk throughout the day.
Broth oakbark. It will also help get rid of diarrhea. It has astringent qualities and quickly eliminates the unpleasant signs of the disorder. A teaspoon of crushed raw materials is boiled in two glasses of water for 7-10 minutes. After straining, drink a tablespoon three times a day.
dried blueberries. This is a remedy that will help get rid of diarrhea in the shortest possible time. You can prepare a decoction based on it, at the rate of one tablespoon of fruit per one glass of liquid.
pomegranate peel. If a person wants to use folk methods, but does not know how to treat diarrhea, you can use this recipe. It is effective both in disorders and in various diseases of the stomach. For its preparation, you will need fresh or dried crusts, which should be crushed. Two spoons of raw materials are boiled in a glass of water for about 20 minutes. Healing broth drink a tablespoon before the main meal.

When diarrhea has just begun, you can drink strong black tea without sugar. This is the first one that will allow you to extinguish unpleasant symptoms.

Prevention

Diarrhea from antibiotics will not start if you follow these recommendations:

Take antibiotics as prescribed by a specialist.
Avoid overdose.
Do not prescribe analogues for yourself without consulting a doctor.
Consider drug compatibility.
Be selective about food.

To avoid diarrhea and minimize the risk of a pathological process, it is necessary to protect yourself from excessive physical exertion and stress, observe hygiene (all personal items of the patient - dishes, towels, bedding - must be individual).

The patient, taking an antibiotic, should take into account that diarrhea with this therapy develops often, in almost half of the cases. Therefore, it is advisable to use probiotics and prebiotics from the very beginning of the course of treatment. After all, diarrhea can last until the microflora is fully restored, and this takes several weeks, and even months.

To eliminate the inflammatory process in the body caused by bacteria and infections, antibiotics are prescribed, which effectively fight pathogens. But among the side effects of using such drugs, there is a risk of destroying all beneficial microorganisms in the intestines, and provoke diarrhea from antibiotics. It is important to know: if diarrhea occurs after antibiotics, how to treat this condition with medication and whether to use alternative medicine methods.

Antibacterial drugs that cause diarrhea

Why does diarrhea develop, and what drugs cause it? Most often, this complication occurs after taking the following medications:

Clindamycins;
Cephalosporins;
Tetracyclines;
Penicillins.

Mechanism of development of diarrhea after antibiotics

Can loose stools begin as a result of taking an antibacterial medicine? Associated diarrhea after antibiotics in an adult can have different mechanisms of development.

The main reason is the laxative effect of drugs that contain macrolides.
There may also be diarrhea because drugs stimulate increased intestinal motility and peristalsis, so there is a short diarrhea from antibiotics.
Drugs cause dysbacteriosis by destroying beneficial bacteria in the intestines, disrupting the balance of microflora.
After taking strong antibacterial medicines, the development of favorable microflora in the intestine often slows down.
Sometimes, against the background of a weakened immune system, an additional infection joins, which provokes an upset stomach, it is quite simple to determine it: impurities in the feces, pain, fever, vomiting is possible.

Important! If, against the background of taking medications, the bacterium "Clostridium difficile" enters the body, intestinal upset can occur with complications. This is due to the fact that this microorganism is resistant to most antimicrobial drugs. In this case, diarrhea while taking antibiotics is accompanied by sharp severe pain in the abdomen and fever.

The situation can be considered relatively stable if the patient manages to restrain the urge at least once or for a short time. Also, intestinal upset is not dangerous if there is no pus, spotting in the feces, and the body temperature is normal.

The success of therapy lies in not self-medicating! Any drug should be prescribed by a specialist, after diagnosing and examining the patient, checking the tests. The doctor's task is to select an adequate treatment regimen for diarrhea after antibiotics and suggest how to treat a specific pathogen with minimal side effects.

Who is at risk for loose stools?

There is a group of patients who have a high likelihood of developing bowel dysfunction after taking antibacterial medications:

Elderly people;
Patients with gastrointestinal diseases in acute or chronic form;
Concomitant diseases of a somatic nature.

Also, diarrhea when taking antibiotics is possible with excessive use of the drug, violation of the regimen and non-compliance with the period of therapy.

Diarrhea after antibiotics, how to treat?

This complication may appear on the first day of admission, but there is no need to panic, there are many effective and fast-acting remedies.

If diarrhea is observed while taking antibiotics, you should immediately consult a doctor to select the optimal therapy regimen or replace the drug. What to do and how to treat this condition?

Medical therapy

So, how to treat loose stools caused by taking antibacterial drugs? Without prescribing a complex of drugs, it can be quite difficult to get rid of diarrhea in this case. Medicines for diarrhea after antibiotics should be selected only by a qualified specialist who knows how to stop the course of the disease, in strictly recommended doses:

Important! If, in addition to diarrhea from antibiotics, there are no additional symptoms, and diarrhea does not bring significant discomfort, then if you refuse to take this antibacterial drug, the stool should recover on its own, without additional drug therapy, but with a diet.

To stop diarrhea and suppress a developing infection, they take intestinal antiseptics such as Metronidazole, Nifuroxazide, Enterofuril.
To restore the functions of the digestive system and normalize the intestinal microflora, probiotics are prescribed - Kolibacterin, Linex, Lactobacterin, Baktisubtil, Enterogermina.
After a course of antibacterial drugs, probiotics based on healthy carbohydrates are needed, they promote the growth of a new natural microflora. These drugs include Hilak Forte, Dufalac, Inulin, which help in the treatment of incipient intestinal upset.
Enterosorbents are mineral compounds that help to remove toxins and toxins from the colon and small intestine, thus helping to cure diarrhea. Medicines "Polyphepan", "Smecta", "Neosmectin", activated carbon are the most effective sorbents that help eliminate diarrhea from antibiotics in adult patients.
Rehydrants are a highly effective combination of glucose, salt and useful microelements, which helps to restore the water-salt balance and electrolyte levels. Against the background of taking antibiotics that caused loose stools, it is necessary to use the drugs Normohydron, Regidron, to prevent dehydration of the body.

Each medical drug has its own subtleties of use and contraindications, so it is absolutely impossible to change or exclude them on your own.

Folk remedies

Alternative medicine recipes will also help eliminate the unpleasant, painful symptom of diarrhea.

How to cure indigestion with folk methods? There are many effective ways to do this:

Simple rice broth is great for treating diarrhea, 200 ml every 3 hours a day should be consumed to eliminate diarrhea due to antibiotics.
Oak bark crushed with calamus leaves (in equal proportions) effectively helps to get rid of diarrhea and relieve pain. The resulting raw material pour 0.4 liters of boiling water, boil for 45 minutes. Drink 100 ml three times a day before meals to treat diarrhea after antibiotics.
Pomegranate peels (1 tsp) effectively help in the treatment of loose stools. It is necessary to grind them, pour water (1 glass), boil for 5 minutes, drink throughout the day, this remedy is quite effective in the treatment of diarrhea and vomiting.
Collecting herbs lingonberry leaf, mint, eucalyptus, rowan berries helps to get rid of diarrhea after antibiotics. To do this, you need to take raw materials in equal parts, pour 4 glasses of water. Boil the mixture in boiling water, when 1-2 minutes have passed, remove from heat and strain. Take 150 ml 15 minutes before meals.
Effectively help to treat diarrhea after antibiotics leaves of St. John's wort, nettle, mint, filled with boiling water (0.2 liters). Mixture insist, cool and drink instead of tea during the day.
If the stomach hurts, it is necessary to cook blueberry jelly (300 ml of water and 1 tsp of fruit), drink in one gulp at a time, twice a day.
If diarrhea is due to antibiotics, but there is nothing at hand to stop it, strong black tea with 1 tablespoon of sugar has a good effect.

Possible complications of diarrhea after antibiotics

What happens if diarrhea is not treated?

Diarrhea is not just an unpleasant symptom, it is a phenomenon accompanied by severe dehydration. In the process of constant emptying of the intestines, beneficial bacteria and minerals are washed out in an adult.

If diarrhea is left untreated after antibiotics, the effects on the gut can be irreversible. The main result of inaction is pseudomembranous colitis. This disease is a complex form of indigestion after taking antibiotics off the schedule or in excess of the dosage.

In this case, Clostridium difficile bacteria multiply in the cavity of the inflamed intestine, and microflora disorders develop.

It is not difficult to recognize this disease, in which case the following symptoms are observed:

Abundant loose stools, emptying more than 10 times a day;
Severe pain syndrome;
Stool with water and much mucus;
admixture of blood;
Cutting in the abdomen, nausea;
High body temperature;
Greenish stool with an unpleasant odor.

To diagnose pseudomembranous colitis, it is necessary to make a biochemical analysis, therapy is based on the use of special drugs that can eliminate pathogenic microorganisms.

Important! In the treatment of pseudomembranous colitis at home, it is not recommended to use the drug "Loperamide". This medication in this case significantly increases intoxication in the body and the risk of developing toxic megacolon.

Prevention of indigestion after antibiotics

Preventive methods used to prevent diarrhea after taking antibiotics are not always effective. But they can significantly minimize the negative nature of their course.

Do not take or prescribe antibiotics on your own.
Stop taking antibiotics as soon as diarrhea starts.
Do not use several antibacterial drugs at once.
Follow the instructions, adhere to the treatment regimen and dosage recommended by your doctor.
After past medication, dietary restrictions are necessary during the recovery period. It is recommended to minimize the consumption of fatty, spicy and intestinal-heavy foods.

Important! Taking antibiotics for diarrhea is allowed when loose stools are provoked by a bacterial infection. But this diagnosis can only be accurately established by a doctor after a series of tests.

Use natural folk remedies.
An important diet for diarrhea is to eat foods on the menu that help restore beneficial bacteria that will fight indigestion.

Diarrhea after antibiotics, how to treat with diet?

Nutrition plays an important role in the complex disposal of loose stools.

To soothe an irritated, inflamed intestine, cereals are needed, for example, semolina, oatmeal or buckwheat.
Low-fat soups and compotes, berry jelly help well.
Doctors advise introducing foods that include pectin, such as bananas and baked apples, into the patient's diet.
Bakery products, pastries and confectionery products are categorically excluded from the menu. Instead of bread, use unsweetened crackers.
Any meat and fish, vegetables during the period of diarrhea should be boiled or steamed.
To normalize the level of microflora, yogurts and kefirs are very useful, preferably home-made.
For quick treatment, it is necessary to observe the drinking regime - you need to consume at least 2 liters of water per day, for this, distilled water, boiled or purified by filters, is suitable, it is forbidden to use raw tap water or any natural sources. You can also additionally drink natural freshly squeezed juice diluted with water 1:1, compote, berry jelly.

It is strictly forbidden to include products containing a high level of fiber in the menu, which, at the time of irritable bowel, increase the work of peristalsis. These foods include fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grain fresh bread.

Also, you can not eat:

Smoked sausages;
Canned food;
Alcohol;
Spices, pickles;
Sweets, chocolate, ice cream;
Kvass, carbonated drinks.

It should also be noted that it is forbidden to use products with food additives and dyes.

Compliance with the diet promotes rest and recovery of the affected intestine during the period of therapy.

In the process of treatment, it is important to monitor the state of general well-being in order to respond in time to the fact that diarrhea begins after taking antibiotics. Even if it was not possible to prevent the onset of an intestinal disorder, a competent, experienced doctor will help minimize the consequences and prevent complications.

When is it necessary to see a doctor?

Quite often, with a timely reaction to intestinal upset after antibiotics, treatment of diarrhea with medicines is not required, it goes away on its own, after giving up the provoking drug.

But in the case when loose stools do not pass within 2-3 days, and the condition only worsens over time, urgent hospitalization is necessary. Especially for the elderly, women during pregnancy, patients suffering from chronic heart and kidney diseases, oncological neoplasms, as well as HIV-infected people.

If diarrhea is treated without consulting a doctor, on its own, this can lead to negative results for the patient's health, only a medical professional knows how to treat this symptom correctly and quickly.

When taking antibacterial medicines, special care should be taken! Irrational, excessive use of drugs in this group can cause diarrhea, which should never be ignored. If the treatment is provided in a qualified and timely manner, the disease will pass quickly and without complications.