Can Antibiotics Cause Stomach Pain

When A Normal Appendix Is Present

Sometimes during surgery, the surgeon finds a normal appendix. The surgeon will still remove the appendix so that a person doesnt develop appendicitis at a later time.

If a person develops an abscess around the appendix, healthcare providers typically drain the pus to allow it to heal before removing the appendix later. However, patients who are incredibly ill from appendicitis require immediate surgery even if an abscess is present. Patients with an abscess will also be treated with intravenous antibiotics.

People with appendicitis and peritonitis are typically very ill and may require care in an intensive care unit . These patients also need an emergency appendectomy and a washout of the abdominal cavity.

How To Relieve Heartburn Caused By Antibiotics

There are some prescribed medications and others that are available over the counter that you can use to relieve heartburn and acid reflux symptoms that is caused by antibiotics. They include:

• Antacids help neutralize the stomach acid produced in excess due to the reaction to the stomach lining getting irritated by the antibiotics. They are a source of quick relief, but they will not reconstruct an esophagus that has been damaged by stomach acid.
• H2-receptor antagonists can also reduce stomach acid and are known to provide relief longer than antacids are capable of. They provide better relief and have a long-lasting effect which is essential when you are experiencing heartburn.
• Proton pump inhibitors can also decrease stomach acid. They include Pantoprazole, Rabeprazole, Esomeprazole, Omeprazole. Omeprazole is incredibly effective and affordable than the others and is the most used PPI worldwide.

With these medicines, you will be able to manage the acid reflux that the antibiotics have caused.

However, you might want to read this article by Harvard Health Publishing about the side effects of such medicines. Long story short: you might want to try to restore your gut flora naturally before trying these drugs.

When To See A Doctor

A person should seek emergency medical attention if they think that they are experiencing anaphylaxis a life threatening reaction after taking amoxicillin.

They are at higher risk of a severe reaction if they have had an anaphylactic reaction to penicillin or cephalosporin antibiotics in the past.

Anaphylaxis symptoms include:

• a rash that causes swelling and spreads across most of the body
• swelling of the lips, face, and tongue

A doctor will usually treat these reactions with steroids and antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine . Typically, they will advise a person to stop taking amoxicillin if they have experienced a severe reaction.

If a person has mild diarrhea that is tolerable, they usually do not need to contact their doctor. However, if they are uncertain whether a side effect that they are experiencing is normal, they should call their doctor.

Also Check: How To Cure Infection Without Antibiotics

The Most Common Side Effect

Dr. Alissa Murch, a Marshfield Clinic pediatrician, said in her experience, diarrhea is the most common side effect from antibiotics in the children she treats.

Its really hard to predict which kids will struggle with side effects and which wont, Murch said. In general, we worry most about infants because they are smaller and more fragile than older children.

With diarrhea, the main concern for children is that they will get dehydrated.

A lot of times we tell parents to continue the antibiotics through the period of diarrhea as long as your child is still urinating, still able to drink, Murch said. Red flags would be bloody diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts for two weeks or more.

If your child experiences these red flags, its time for him or her to be seen by a provider. Blood in your childs stool could indicate the presence of another, secondary infection.

Four Easy Ways To Curb The Side Effects From Antibiotics

Although it’s better than getting an infection, the toll of taking an antibiotics can be brutal for many – myself included. The side affects can and often include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain.

After nearly slicing the top of my pinky off in a kitchen accident, my doctor prescribed amoxicillin to treat any existing and to prevent any future infection. I really struggled the first few days and by about the third day I was able to get the side effects dampened or under control. Here are some natural and easy things you can do to help:

1. Increase your fiber intake.

If you’re struggling with bouts of diarrhea, adding some fiber to your diet can help add some bulk back to your waste. I started most of my days with smoothies that included a big handful of spinach, half of a ripe avocado, 1 cup of frozen berries, 2 teaspoons of ground flax and 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk. Another great way to add some fiber is to grab a granola bar high in fiber. My favorite are the Zing brand bars. It’s also helpful to add some high-fiber vegetables to your dinners like broccoli and Brussel sprouts.

2. Try supplementing with probiotics, or probiotic foods.

3. Drink ginger or mint tea.

4. Take it easy.

It will be over before you know it!

Also Check: What Is The Best Antibiotic For Dogs With Skin Infection

Does Taking Antibiotics Cause Lower Back Pain

Human health remains to be an essential aspect of consideration. The Covid-19 pandemic that is spreading through the world like a bush fire has left no alternative to many who seeks refuge indoors. Due to social distancing, many people are forced to ignore the fact that their bodies are in pain to avoid contracting the cureless virus. Instead, relying on the pharmacists offering door to door delivery has become the only choice to ensure that you are living a healthy life.

Antibiotic is a type of antibacterial agent used to fight bacterial infections. It also can be used to slow down the growth of bacterial. Antibiotics have widely been used, especially in severe cases where the victim needs urgent help, and access to the hospital is impossible. Antibiotics are very strong, and the manufacturer advises you to get prescriptions from a doctor. However, many cases have been reported where patients using antibiotics complains of lower back pain after using the drug. This article points out some side effects that come hand in hand with using these antibiotics and how you can avoid such.

What Helps Diarrhea From Antibiotics

Not all children will experience diarrhea or GI issues when taking antibiotics. To help prevent any side effects, only take antibiotics as prescribed and follow all directions given with the medication.

If your child does experience diarrhea or other stomach problems while taking an antibiotic, the most important thing to do is ensure your child is drinking enough water and staying hydrated. If GI symptoms do not resolve within 7-10 days, call your pediatrician.

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Hidden Dangers Of Antibiotic Use: Increased Gut Permeability Mediated By Increased Pancreatic Proteases Reaching The Colon

CorrespondenceCopyrightcited by

This article takes these ideas forward by examining the impact of antibiotic-induced increased fecal proteases on gut barrier function using cell lines and animal models. They showed that in mice, broad-spectrum antibiotics increased fecal proteolytic activity, mostly owing to increases in pancreatic serine proteases such as trypsin and chymotrypsin. This lead to an increase in permeability, which in normal wild-type mice lasted approximately 14 days but did not lead to an inflammatory response. However, in genetically susceptible interleukin 10 knock-out mice, repeated antibiotic courses lead to the development of a chronic colitis, which could be blocked by a specific protease inhibitor.

Pay Attention To What You Eat

Would you like to get probiotics from food? Many types of yogurt contain probiotics. Look for active and live cultures on the label. It is advised to consume one or two plain Greek yogurts per day for patients consuming antibiotics. However, if eating dairy triggers stomach problems, go easy on dairy heavy foods while consuming antibiotics.

People who have more GI symptoms usually develop more GI side effects while consuming antibiotics, but each case is unique.

Foods that do not harm others may upset you, trust your gut. If spicy foods are usually cause you upset stomachs, avoid them when taking antibiotics. If sugar is your trigger, avoid sugary foods. Although fiber is usually important for digestion, you may need to decrease your consumption if your diarrhea flares up while you are taking antibiotics.

Read Also: Can Antibiotics Make You Gain Weight

How Good Gut Bacteria Loss From Antibiotic Use Causes Heartburn

How can the lack of good bacteria from the use of antibiotics lead to acid reflux symptoms like heartburn? When good bacteria in the digestive system are killed by antibiotics, an overgrowth of bad bacteria can lead to excessive gas, bloating, belching, reduced stomach acid, and constipation. All of which can lead to heartburn.

Antibiotics Heartburn from Gas and Bloating

Bad bacteria produce hydrogen and methane gas causing an increase in abdominal pressure.

This increase in abdominal pressure will weaken the lower esophageal sphincter prohibiting it from closing tightly enough to keep stomach acid from refluxing into the esophagus. The LES is a ring of muscle at the base of the esophagus that opens as food travels to the stomach and closes to keep acid reflux from occurring.

The gas produced by bad bacteria not only causes abdominal pressure. It can lead to belching. Belching will help lower abdominal pressure, but it can also force stomach acid through the LES into the esophagus.

Antibiotics Heartburn from Reduced Stomach Acid

An overgrowth of bad bacteria in the digestive system will cause a reduction in stomach acid. This initially sounds great to those suffering from acid reflux symptoms like heartburn, however, stomach acid actually triggers the LES to close. If the LES doesnt close tightly enough, acid reflux can occur.

Constipation After Discontinuation of Antibiotics Can Lead to Heartburn

Why does constipation occur after discontinuing antibiotics?

Unfortunately Even A Single Course Of Antibiotics Can Permanently Alter The Gut Flora

One study found that after a single treatment of intravenous antibiotics, fecal bacteria tests demonstrated a significant change in the variety of bacterial strains, and the development of the pathogen Clostridium difficile. C. difficile colonization in the gut can lead to serious complications such as severe diarrhea and colitis.

Another study demonstrated that a short course of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin reduced the diversity of the intestinal microbiota, with significant effects on roughly one-third of the bacterial species. This study also found that while much of the diversity eventually recovered, there were still several species that failed to recover after six months, suggesting that even a short course of antibiotics may cause permanent changes to the community of friendly flora in the gut.

Antibiotics are known to cause diarrhea, which may be due to infection by antibiotic resistant pathogens such as salmonella, C. perfringens type A, Staphylococcus aureus, and possibly Candida albicans, as well the various metabolic consequences of reduced concentrations of fecal flora. These results suggests that disturbance of the normal intestinal flora following antibiotic use may be responsible for the overgrowth of dangerous pathogens.

Also Check: Easy Way To Get Antibiotics

List Of Antibiotics And Their Side Effects

There are several side effects that are common to most antibiotics, regardless of class or drug. These side effects may include:

• antibiotic-associated diarrhea

*This is not a complete list of common antibiotics or side effects that may occur. For a complete list of side effects, please refer to the individual drug monographs.

Antibiotics And Acid Reflux

The stomach and the intestines contain numerous microbiomes, including bacteria that help in the digestion process.

Antibiotics that are used to treat bacterial infections in the body, unfortunately, cannot differentiate between the good and bad bacteria present in the gut and produce negative results such as-

• Kill the good bacteria in the gut
• Create an imbalance in the intestinal ecosystem and an overgrowth of harmful bacteria
• Increase pressure within the stomach
• Cause reflux of food and acid into the oesophagus

Also Check: What Antibiotics Are Good For Yeast Infection

Helping Your Kids Through Antibiotic Side Effects

Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and allergic reactions are possible side effects of antibiotics.

Antibiotics can come with some nasty side effects, but typically, those side effects are less of a medical concern than the infection the antibiotics are designed to fight. Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and allergic reactions are possible side effects of antibiotics.

Are Antibiotics Effective For A Cold Flu Or Covid

Antibiotics are used to kill bacterial infections they are not effective against viral infections, such as a cold, the flu, COVID. They also do not work against fungal infections, like ringworm or vaginal yeast infections.

You should avoid demanding an antibiotic from your healthcare provider when you have a viral infection as it will not cure your infection and might make it worse. In addition, this adds to the problem of antibiotic resistance, and it costs you money you do not need to spend. Your doctor can offer symptomatic treatment to ease your viral infection, or prescribe specific anti-viral medications if appropriate.

If you eventually need an antibiotic because of a secondary bacterial infection that might occur later, your doctor will prescribe it then.

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Is Acute Appendicitis A Severe Condition

The appendix is a small, fingerlike tube attached to the large intestine in the lower right part of the abdomen. Experts still haven’t determined the function of the appendix, as it is not required for typical body processes.

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. It is the most common cause of acute abdominal pain for which people need surgery. Appendicitis most often occurs in people between the ages of 10 and 20 years old, but it can occur at any time.

If appendicitis is caught early, it does not have to be a severe condition. However, if it is unrecognized, the inflammation will worsen. When this occurs, people can develop complications that can lead to severe consequences or death.

Why Antibiotics Cause Diarrhea

Your body harbors friendly bacteria on your skin and throughout your digestive tract. For the most part, these bacteria are beneficial, assisting in digesting and processing nutrients from food. They also provide a barrier to overgrowth or infection by bacteria that may cause illness.

When you have a bacterial infection , your healthcare provider may prescribe an antibiotic to kill the pathogen causing the illness. But antibiotics act throughout your body and may kill both the bacteria that keeps you healthy and that which causes illness.

That alters the way your intestine handles nutrients and fluids, and changes its motility . When that happens, many people develop diarrhea. In most cases, this diarrhea will be mild and will clear up quickly once you have ended your course of antibiotics.

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What Are Some Alternatives To Antibiotics

Mark Sisson wrote a good post listing some alternatives to antibiotics a few months back. In my practice I use a combination of botanical anti-microbials, biofilm distruptors , and probiotics as well as micronutrients to support immune function, like vitamin C, iodine and selenium.

While these botanicals do have an impact on the gut flora, it is less pronounced than the effect of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Still, I recommend taking any strong anti-microbials under the supervision of a qualified health care provider.

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Heartburn Bloating Gas And Diarrhea After Antibiotics

Posted by Dr. Chris

Reginald Asked :

Two weeks back I had a bad case of the flu and developed a sore throat. My doctor put me on a course of antibiotics but my sore throat kept getting worse. Last week he put me on a second course of stronger antibiotics and he did warn me that it is a very high dose.

My sore throat settled and I completed the course of antibiotics about 2 days ago. The problem is that a few days back I noticed that I was getting heartburn and lots of gas which led to constant burping. Sometimes there was also some chest pain but it usually settled if I ate something.

This slowly progressed and I found that I had a lot of gas lower down in the bowels and was passing out gas through the other end. For the past day I have quite severe diarrhea, stomach bloating and a lot of gas.

I expected to get the heartburn from the antibiotics but I am wondering if all these other tummy symptoms are also related to the antibiotics?

This question was posted under the Causes of Bloating and Gas article.

Any response by the Health Hype team does not constitute a medical consultation and the advice should be viewed purely as a guide. Always consult with your doctor before making any changes to your current treatment program. The information provided in this article is not an authoritative resource on the subject matter and solely intends to guide the reader based on the questions asked and information provided.

Dr. Chris Answered :

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Antibiotics Most Likely To Cause Diarrhea

While any antibiotic can result in either mild diarrhea or C difficile colitis, some have a higher risk of doing so than others. The antibiotics formulated to kill a wide variety of bacteria are more likely to have this effect.

Most associated with C. difficile colitis:

• Lincosamides

Tetracycline has shown no increased risk of diarrhea.