There is no question that antibiotics, properly prescribed, have saved thousands, if not millions of lives. However, not only can misuse put you at risk, but others too, according to the Mayo Clinic and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control). "Widespread overuse and incorrect prescribing practices are significant problems" and there are consequences of antibiotic misuse.

One of the issues is antibiotic resistance. According to the CDC Threat Report 2013, "Antibiotic resistance is a quickly growing, extremely dangerous problem. World health leaders have described antibiotic-resistant bacteria as 'nightmare bacteria' that 'pose a catastrophic threat' to people in every country in the world. Each year in the United States at least 2 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, and at least 23,000 people die each year as a direct result of these infections. Many more people die from other conditions that were complicated by an antibiotic-resistant infection." The CDC says that "the threat of untreatable infections is very real." In a nutshell, germs have begun to outsmart our drugs, and as a result, people are dying.

What is antibiotic resistance? It turns out that bacteria are pretty smart. When we keep ingesting antibiotics, the germs learn to adapt to them and they no longer work. Every time a bacteria learns to resist an antibiotic, treatment options get more narrow and an infection easily treated in the past can become life-threatening.

Antibiotics kill bacteria, but have no effect on viruses, yet physicians regularly prescribe them for viruses. Viral infections that antibiotics won't help include bronchitis, colds, flu (influenza or stomach flu), most coughs, most ear infections, and most sore throats, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, bacterial infections such as bladder infections, wound and skin infections, severe sinus infections that continue longer than two weeks, some ear infections, and strep throat are generally effectively treated with antibiotics.

According to the CDC, "Antibiotic usage for viral infections will not cure the infection, will not keep other people from getting sick, will not help you or your child feel better, may cause unnecessary and harmful side effects, and may contribute to antibiotic resistance, which is when bacteria are able to resist the effects of an antibiotic and continue to cause harm."

In addition to the harm that an untreated infection can cause, what is some of the harm that antibiotics can cause? Drug-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA, are increasing. MRSA used to be a hospital-contracted disease concern only. Now a new resistant strain can affect anyone, anywhere, and the treatment options for these antibiotic-resistant bacteria are stronger, harsher and come with significant side effects. As cited in the BBC News, "Professor Graham Bell, from McGill University in Canada, warns that the new antibiotics pose 'a serious and unprecedented' risk to public health."

In Part Two, we will review various disorders commonly treated by antibiotics that shouldn't be, and the cost of this antibiotic misuse.

Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with more than 35 years of experience. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d'Alene clinic. Visit her website at www.vitalhealthcda.com to learn more about Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Carling can be reached at (208) 765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.