Explore the connection between antibiotic use and increased cancer risk, and whether alternative treatments can combat viral illnesses and reduce the overuse of antibiotics for common conditions.
Heads up! Today is “European Antibiotics Awareness Day” all over the world. This day was launched by the European Centre for Diseases Prevention and Control (ECDC), aiming to increase awareness about “prudent use of antibiotics.” They’re urging everyone to use them more cautiously and sparingly, especially when treating common illnesses. Antibiotics aren’t effective against viral infections, so there’s no need to take them for things like the flu, colds, or most coughs. The ECDC, along with the World Health Organization (WHO), is warning about the overuse of antibiotics, which can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Do antibiotics cause cancer?
A recent study involving over 3 million people found that antibiotic use is linked to different types of cancer. There’s a strong connection between increased cancer risk (specifically breast, thyroid, lung, and colon cancer) and antibiotic use. However, researchers weren’t able to definitively say whether antibiotics themselves cause cancer, or if the increased cancer risk is due to bacterial imbalances.
Are alternative treatments effective for viral diseases?
Studies show that alternative treatments can be effective for some viral conditions, especially when antibiotics are often overused. For example, a study looked at the effectiveness of alternative medicine compared to antibiotics in 500 patients with upper respiratory tract infections. It found that 82% of patients who received alternative treatment improved within 14 days, compared to 67% who received traditional treatment.
Another study showed that alternative treatments are also effective in treating and preventing upper respiratory tract infections in 169 children. Kids treated with alternative methods got better in about eight days, compared to 13 days for those who received traditional treatment. Plus, the kids treated with alternative methods experienced fewer symptoms and had better overall health.
Read more about alternative medicine.
Alternative medicine: the pros and cons!
Alternative medicine is a way to treat recurring ear infections in kids. In a study of 230 children, over 70% who participated experienced less ear infections after alternative treatment, compared to 57% who received traditional medical treatment. Those treated with alternative methods recovered 2.4 times faster than others.
Three other studies also found that alternative medicine is more effective than traditional medicine in treating upper respiratory tract infections. Other studies show that patients treated with alternative methods needed antibiotics less often than others. This is because alternative medicine works to prevent antibiotic resistance and improves overall health by boosting the immune system and balancing benefits versus drawbacks.
Alternative medicine can be an effective tool in fighting viral diseases and can be used instead of traditional treatments. In short, it can be used as a first-line treatment for mild viral and bacterial infections, and helps avoid the overuse of antibiotics for common conditions.
