Antibiotic

When “Natural Antibiotics” Can (and Can’t) Help a Tooth Infection Tooth infections occur when bacteria invade the pulp or root of a tooth. The result is inflammation, swelling, and pain that can spread quickly into the jaw and surrounding tissues. In severe cases, untreated infections may enter the bloodstream and cause sepsis or endocarditis. Because […]

How Antibiotic Resistance Happens Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria develop the ability to survive drugs that once killed them. It is not the human body that becomes resistant, but the bacteria themselves. When an antibiotic is used, it destroys most of the sensitive bacteria, yet a few may carry natural mutations that protect them from

What “Natural Antibiotic” Really Means The term “natural antibiotic” is often used loosely, but it has several distinct meanings depending on context. In scientific terms, an antibiotic is any substance that kills or inhibits bacteria. The first antibiotics discovered, such as penicillin and tetracycline, were in fact natural products, produced by microorganisms in the environment.

When a Sinus Infection Needs Antibiotics Sinus infections, or sinusitis, occur when the hollow cavities around the nose become inflamed and swollen. Most begin as viral infections following a cold or allergy flare, leading to congestion, pressure, and nasal discharge. Because viruses cause the majority of cases, antibiotics are not usually needed at first. The

Understanding Prednisone vs Antibiotics Prednisone is not an antibiotic. It is a corticosteroid medication, a synthetic form of hormones naturally produced by the adrenal glands. While antibiotics are designed to kill or inhibit bacteria, prednisone works in a completely different way. It suppresses inflammation and modifies the body’s immune response. Because it can reduce swelling,

Understanding Cephalexin’s Strength Cephalexin, also known by the brand name Keflex, is a first-generation cephalosporin antibiotic. The 500-milligram capsule is among the most commonly prescribed oral doses, but its “strength” depends less on the number printed on the label and more on how the drug works, what bacteria it targets, and how sensitive those organisms

How UTIs Develop and Why the Right Antibiotic Matters A urinary tract infection begins when bacteria enter the urethra and multiply in the bladder. The urinary system is normally sterile, but certain strains of Escherichia coli that live in the gut can adhere to the bladder wall and trigger inflammation. Less often, species of Klebsiella,

Why Antibiotics Can Cause Diarrhea Antibiotic-associated diarrhea is a common side effect of many antibiotic courses. It occurs when the natural balance of bacteria in the digestive tract is disrupted. The intestines contain trillions of microorganisms that help digest food, absorb nutrients, and protect against infection. Antibiotics, while killing harmful bacteria, can also destroy beneficial

How Antibiotics Affect Gut Bacteria Antibiotics are among the most powerful tools in modern medicine, capable of stopping or killing harmful bacteria that cause infections. Yet while they target disease-causing organisms, antibiotics also affect many of the beneficial microbes that live in the gut. The intestinal microbiota (trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi) plays a

What Amoxicillin Is and How It Works Amoxicillin is one of the most widely used antibiotics in the world. It belongs to the beta-lactams family, a group of drugs known as beta-lactams. All beta-lactam antibiotics share a similar structure that targets the bacterial cell wall, which is vital for the organism’s survival. By disrupting this