A very sad report was published the New England Journal of Medicine in 2013. It seems that in 2010 (the year that was studied) doctors prescribed antibiotic drugs for approx 1 in every 4 Americans. Good grief! The survey showed that the most frequently prescribed antibiotic was azithromycin, often used to treat bronchitis. The problem is that bronchitis is usually is caused by a virus, and antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, because antibiotics are intended for bacterial infections!
The study, from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), showed that the antibiotics were most prescribed for young children and the elderly. The CDC authors stated that the overuse of antibiotics is a major factor in the evolution of microbes that resist these drugs, which, in turn, makes it more difficult to treat certain diseases.
I often cringe when I read a Facebook post from another parent of a young child saying that their little one is “back on” an antibiotic. It’s a major concern that, as these kids grow up, and their bodies become resistant to antibiotics, if a serious bacterial infection comes their way, there may be no effective treatment for them. There are naturopaths and doctors who practice functional medicine in most areas of the country. These doctors tend to go with botanical or other alternative treatments first and don’t rush to the prescription pad. I recommend looking for one in your area and checking them out. You may decide they are not for you, but at least take a look. Compare what they offer with your western MD and make you own informed choice.
Best of Health,
Kathi
