Home remedies
As a home remedy against abdominal pain, heat in the form of a hot water bottle on the stomach is particularly effective. Often this, combined with plenty of rest and easily digestible food, is very effective against the abdominal pain, which is often caused by taking antibiotics. If this is not sufficient, the natural intestinal flora can be supported by the consumption of probiotic yoghurts. Certain yeast preparations can also contribute to this.
Flatulence
Flatulence in connection with the intake of antibiotics is due to the altered gastrointestinal flora. By killing all bacteria in the digestive tract and not only the pathogenic germs, the entire balance is disturbed. As a result, the digestion is also disturbed and the food components can no longer be split and absorbed into the blood as easily.
This can lead to air accumulation in the intestines, which manifests itself as flatulence. This is caused by undigested food components drawing water from the surrounding tissue into the intestine and swelling. Gases are then produced in the intestine. Such flatulence is harmless, however, and usually disappears again once the antibiotics have been discontinued. During the therapy one can try to reduce the flatulence by appropriate nutrition.
Diarrhoea
Since taking antibiotics kills not only the bacterial pathogens but also the naturally occurring bacteria of the digestive tract, the entire intestinal flora is thrown out of balance. Besides abdominal pain, diarrhoea is a frequently occurring symptom. On the one hand, it is caused by the fact that the food can no longer be digested optimally due to the lack of “good” bacteria and therefore draws water from the surrounding tissue into the intestine.
In addition, the altered intestinal flora causes other bacteria or larger quantities of certain bacteria to settle in the intestine, which secrete toxins, which in these quantities lead to diarrhoea. The bacterium Clostridium difficile is constantly present in the intestine. However, if it multiplies very strongly due to the changed intestinal flora and as a result of this it emits higher doses of its toxin into the intestine, a severe inflammation of the intestine can develop.
In so-called pseudomembranous colitis, deposits form on the intestinal mucosa, which secrete water and mucus into the intestine, leading to severe diarrhoea, to which mucus and blood may be mixed. The severe fluid losses are dangerous and must be compensated quickly. This inflammation of the intestine is caused by the antibiotic intake, so the doctor has to stop the medication.
