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Natural alternatives to antibiotics

B

bronte

Well-Known Member
Messages
46
Hi, T2 diet only and have just completed 7 day course of antibiotics but still have the infection. Are there any natural alternatives I can try please?
Thanks
 
What kind of infection is it bronte? That would affect what might be suggested.

I'm not at all good at taking medication, but when I do take it I take it properly. Whenever I have taken antibiotics I always take live yogurt at the same time.

I use both lavender or tea tree essential oils if I have an infection on the skin, and I use a vaporiser with tea tree whenever I get a sinus infection. Someone told me that vinegar on your feet can be very good at dealing with athletes foot, I have also used tea tree on my feet. If you use essential iols please read the label and follow the advice it gives, most essential iol should no tbe used neat and some will enhance you sensitivity to the sun.

When I have had a urinary infection I drink loads and loads of water and try to keep the acidity of my urine low rather than getting antibiotics. However, if it hit my kidneys, I'd take the medication.

Keeping well nourished is essential for you body to be able to heal itself.

I think you also have to decide when you will take antibiotiocs and how much discomfort you will put up with. If I'm off work and need to get a sick note, that is the point that I'd start considering them, although not necessarily taking them. My GP and I have reached a compromise over this over the last few years and this works for us - he generally knows better than to offer me antibiotics as a first line of action. I avoid them if at all possible, I tend to get some unpleasant adominal problems after antibiotics, but I'm reconsidering this in the light of my diabetic diagnosis.

I do tend to suffer with with my sinuses. However, I usually manage those symptoms with painkillers (which I'd take even if I was on antibiotics), spending a lot of time in the shower as the moist air makes things easier, and staying well hydrated as well as using tea tree oil.

You do need to be careful if you have an underlying health problem, you really do need to think carefully before refusing antibiotics.

I have been hospitalised twice with ear problems, which are excruciatingly painful, and I'd always take antibiotics for problems with my eyes, ears or dental problems.
 
Thanks for the advice. The infection is in my uterus (sorry) and to be honest I am fed up with ailemtn after another but I susppose I'll have to get used to that. I suspect that my immune system is a bit low and I probably need to take some supplements. I will probably take another course of antibiotics and hope that they clear it this time.
Thanks for your help.
 
You know, I feel really sad when women apologise for for mentioning "womens bits" in any way shape or form. Embarrasment about anything "down there" means that things don't get treated when they need to be and so we don't get the information we need to stay healthy or know when we really need to worry.

My oracle on womens health is "Our Bodies, Ourselves" and this is a link to their website.
http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/book/default.asp
I'm afraid it is American, but I only say that because their health system is so very diffent from ours. The advice and inforamtion is very sound and they acknowledge that women are different to men, because generally normal =male.

You say nothing about your condition (I'm not asking you for details) or how it was diagnosed, but if you have a name for your condition you could try a search with that term on the website or one of the sites it links to. Also, if you have not been seen by a specialist, you could try asking for a referral to a specialist.

As a diabetic, if your blood sugar is running high it gives the bugs that cause the infections more to feed on, so getting your numbers down would be good. It would give your body a fighting chance to deal with the infection.

There are also a few things that promote resistance to infection, including echinacea, which you can get at H&B. But I'm not a herbalist and I'd suggest that consulting a natural health practitioner might help you, but I would not abandon the conventional treatment. If you do ask for more advice on herbal remedies at somewhere like H&B, also consult a community pharmacist as they will know if ther are any interactions with other medications you may be taking.
 
and another thing... I checked your profile and there was nothing on it about your age.... uterine infection could affect your fertility in the longer term, which is why it needs to be properly investigated and treated.
 
Just a note about probiotics (such as live yogurt): they're always a good idea when you're taking antibiotics, to keep your digestive system in shape. But are rendered useless if you take them at the same time as the antibiotics. Better to take them about an hour before the antibiotics, just so they have a chance to get where they're needed before the antibiotics kick into action.
 
Hey keg. Are these probiotic things any good. I always thought they were just a money spinner. Take some drink each day at an exorbitant price. Is there any proof they actually do something other than what the makers say ?

D.
 
The only ones I ever had were prescribed when I was on a fairly intensive cocktail/course of antibiotics for osteomyelitis. I never noticed any difference at all, but I think that was the point, as in theory antibiotics could kill off the bacteria in your gut, which leads to all sorts of other problems (that I never experienced).

I know nothing about the yogurty style drinks that are peddled on TV constantly, but I have quite a varied and healthy diet anyway so personally don't feel the need.
 
Thank you so much for all this very helpful information. It is so good this website with so many knowledgeable people. I will update my profile later today/tomorrow as I think this will be helpful.
 
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