Excessive Use of Antibiotics May Trigger Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Studies

As per a new research, excessive use of antibiotics may trigger a disease known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

The new study was carried out among people who were more than 40 years of age. According to the new research, antibiotics use may trigger bowel disease like ulcerative and Crohn’s colitis.

This may happen after a consistent use of antibiotics for a period of one to two years. Not only that, the greatest risk has been posted by using two specific antibiotics named fluoroquinolones and nitroimidazoles.

Both the above antibiotics are generally used to treat gut infections. Research in this regard shows that both these antibiotics target gut bacteria not only those that are harmful.

Excessive Use of Antibiotics May Trigger Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Studies

In order to reduce the risk of any sort of bowel disease, it is recommended to use them only when needed. Also, these should not be used to treat viral diseases like flu, cold or any other gastrointestinal or respiratory illnesses.

This is what one of the researchers has to say in this regard, “We want patients to improve quickly, so we may be more apt to prescribe an antibiotic in some of these settings, but in addition to exacerbating bacterial resistance patterns, this is another reason to practice antibiotic stewardship,” Faye said. “In other words, use antibiotics when needed, but be cautious about prescribing them for an infection that will likely be self-limiting or is more likely viral.” he said.

Please note that excessive use of antibiotics may alter bacterial balance in the gut, also known as microbiome and may have some serious consequences.

However, the above study doesn’t seem to prove that excessive use of antibiotics can cause inflammatory bowel disease, only that there appears to be a connection.

Also Read: Does Urine Hold DNA? How to Extract DNA from Urine?

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