Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Do Probiotics Give You Diarrhea

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Probiotics Can Make Diarrhea Go Away Faster

Probiotics for Constipation? Maybe Not

The research showed that probiotics help: They shortened the illness by one day on average. In some studies, researchers counted how many of the people had no more diarrhea after three days:

  • Without treatment: About 34 out of 100 people who didnt take probiotics were diarrhea-free after three days.
  • With treatment: About 55 out of 100 people who took probiotics were diarrhea-free after three days.

In other words, probiotics made the diarrhea go away faster in 21 out of 100 people.

But it isnt clear whether some probiotic foods and products are more effective than others. So there may be differences between yogurt, capsules and powder, or between lactic acid and other microorganisms.

Probiotics Can Be Dangerous For Some People

People at higher risk for adverse effects, like infection, of taking too many probiotics are those with serious illnesses or weakened immune systems, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

If you fall into either of those categories, it’s important to consult your doctor before taking probiotics.

How Probiotics Might Be Bad For You

Because these good bacteria already exist in the body, theyâre considered safe for most people. But there are some things to consider.

They can trigger an allergic reaction. They might cause mild stomach problems, especially the first few days you start taking them. You might have stomach upset, gas, diarrhea, or bloating. Those symptoms usually go away after your body gets used to them.

If you have an immune system problem or another serious health condition, you may have a greater chance of issues. Some reports have linked probiotics to serious infections and other side effects. The people most likely to have trouble are those with immune system problems, people who’ve had surgery, and others who are critically ill. Don’t take probiotics if you have any of those issues.

Always talk to your pediatrician before giving probiotic supplements to your child. If you’re pregnant or nursing, you should also talk to your doctor before you try one.

Most probiotics in the U.S. are sold as dietary supplements. That means the companies that make them don’t have to test their products and show that they work or that they are safe. More research is needed to confirm that probiotics are safe and effective.

Ask your doctor which probiotics are the right ones for you. Be sure to stop taking them if you have any problems.

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Could Your Probiotic Be Making You Sicker

A spread of colorful pills.

Mindy D. had suffered from constipation for years when her gastroenterologist advised her, at 38, to take a popular over-the-counter probiotic. Over the next two years, she experimented with different dosages, sometimes taking it three times a day. But she kept getting sickersometimes so ill she couldn’t work.

“We shouldn’t just presume probiotics are safe.”

Her symptoms improved only after she traveled from Long Island to Georgia to see Satish S. C. Rao, a gastroenterologist at Augusta University. “The key thing was taking her off probiotics and treating her with antibiotics,” he says.

That solution sounds bizarre, if, like many, you believe that antibiotics are bad and probiotics good. Millions of Americans take probioticslive bacteria deemed usefulassuming there can be only positive effects. The truth is that you really don’t know how any probiotic will affect you. To quote the American Gastroenterological Association Center for Gut Microbiome Research and Education, “It remains unclear what strains of bacteria at what dose by what route of administration are safe and effective for which patients.”

It’s fineunless it isn’t. “Probiotics are capable of altering the microbiome in unpredictable ways,” explains Leo Galland, an internist in New York who specializes in difficult digestions. “I’ve had patients who got gas and bloating, constipation or diarrhea from probiotics.”

Your Microbiome Is Unique

What Causes Diarrhea In Dogs

5 Probiotic Side Effects
  • Dietary changes, such as switching to another brand of dog food, overfeeding, underfeeding and giving the dog too much people food or canned food.
  • Ingesting spoiled food, outside debris, toxic substances or foreign objects
  • Viral, fungal or bacterial infections
  • Food allergies to fillers and by-products found in some commercial dog food
  • Parasitic infestations of the intestines
  • Inflammatory bowel disease caused by a constant and excessive influx of white blood cells entering the colon and/or intestines.
  • Liver or kidney disease
  • Digestive tract tumors
  • Inflammation of the colon , an often chronic condition produced when the colon is irritated by parasites, infections, stress, IBD or ingestion of contaminated food.
  • Canine hemorrhagic gastroenteritis , a serious illness characterized by bloody diarrhea and vomiting.

A change in dog food brand can be one of the causes of diarrhea.

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Why You Should Take Probiotics With Antibiotics

Antibiotics play a critical role in killing bad bacteria. But as they destroy infections, they can also cause collateral damage to the good bacteria in your gut, which could result in diarrhea for a couple of daysor even weeksafter you stop taking the medicine.

So how can you get the benefits of antibiotics without the nasty stomach side effects? The answer might be found in probioticspills or even powders with live microorganisms that offer health benefits.

Your intestines contain around 1,000 different species of bacteria, with 100 trillion bacteria in total, says Dr. Lawrence Hoberman, president and chief executive of Medical Care Innovations Inc. If 80% of that bacteria is the good, healthy kind, the harmful bacteria stay at bay. But antibiotics change the balance in the microbiome, which may result in an increase in the harmful bacteria, he explained.

The immune system recognizes the bad guys and will try to destroy them. But in the process, it breaks down the intestinal lining and causes inflammation, and thats how we get antibiotic-associated diarrhea, Dr. Hoberman explains.

One study found that antibiotic-associated diarrhea affects between 5% and 39% of patients, depending on which antibiotic they take. But research shows that probiotics can curb digestion problems. A meta-analysis of 34 other studies found that probiotics reduce instances of antibiotic-associated diarrhea by 52%.

There Are Natural Ways To Prevent And Treat This Painful Disease That Affects Many People Over The Age Of 50

Aggressive treatments for diverticultis, including surgery and antibiotics, may be overused, according to a recent study published in JAMA.

No one who has ever suffered from diverticulitis is lucky, but some people are able to get through the intense attack of lower abdominal pain relatively unscathed. The unlucky diverticulitis patients have a different story, one that can include complications, hospitalization, surgery, or chronic disease that will have an ongoing effect. Fortunately, natural medicine can help prevent and treat this painful disease.

Associated with the modern Western diet and lifestyle, diverticular disease is the most common disease of the colon in the Western world.1 While it is most prevalent in people over the age of 50 in the United States and Europe, it is beginning to affect more people worldwide, at younger ages.2

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Probiotics Can Cause Allergic Reactions

Another possible side effect of taking probiotics is an allergic reaction. Humans can be allergic to just about anything, including milk which is often used in the probiotic production process.

The purification process used in the production of some probiotics such as Nexabiotic® Advanced should remove most of these allergens.

If you are lactose intolerant you should be able to tolerate the small amounts of milk in probiotics. Furthermore, probiotics themselves break down lactose. This is the reason why probiotic-loaded kefir yogurt is advertised as being lactose-free.

However, if you have developed an allergic reaction to milk ingredients that results in problems breathing then you should avoid probiotics.

Can Probiotics Help Against Diarrhea

PROBIOTICS FOR DIARRHEA?

Probiotics can make diarrhea go away about one day faster. Generally speaking, probiotic products which mostly contain certain lactic acid are well tolerated.

Diarrhea is often caused by an intestinal infection. As long as diarrhea isnt severe, it is usually enough to simply drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, and wait for the infection to run its course. However, in small children and older people the loss of fluid can quickly become so dangerous that special treatment is needed. Life-threatening cases of diarrhea are rare in industrialized countries, though.

In mild cases, people are sometimes advised to eat probiotic foods in addition to drinking a lot of fluids. Probiotic products have special microorganisms like or yeast in them. These are thought to reach the bowel, where they suppress the germs that are causing the diarrhea and help the body fight them. The best known probiotics are lactic acid bacteria . They are found in natural yogurt and other dairy products, as well as in some dietary supplements.

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How To Reduce Probiotic Side Effects

If you are taking probiotics and experience any of the above side effects, you dont need to stop taking them completely. Lowering the dosage is often the best way to keep any gastrointestinal discomfort or other side effects at bay.

Most often, your body may just need to adjust to the sudden dose of beneficial bacteria. This initial adjustment period should usually only last the first few days as your guts microflora begin to rebalance. Try to reduce your dosage by half until the symptoms have disappeared then proceed to the suggested dose.

Along with reducing your dosage, you should also:

  • Take your probiotics on an empty stomach Probiotics can produce gas when combined with certain foods. Taking your probiotics on an empty stomach ensures that that wont happen and ensures the maximum survivability of the beneficial bacteria. Take your probiotics at least 30 minutes before you eat. If you are still experiencing problems, try taking your probiotics on an empty stomach before bed.
  • Drink plenty of water Many of the side effects are a result of your digestive system undergoing the process of detoxification. Staying hydrated will speed up the process and keep you from getting dehydrated if you have diarrhea.
  • Stay patient It can take up to two weeks for your body to adjust to the probiotics before the benefits kick in.

Results Vary From Person To Person

While researchers have studied different conditions, it ultimately depends on what’s going on with you personally.

Even if you’re not seeing changes in symptoms right away, the probiotics may be doing their job behind the scenes, so don’t give up too quickly. Some factors that can increase the amount of time it takes for probiotics to start working include:

  • A very unhealthy gut
  • Taking the wrong probiotic strain
  • Incorrect dosage

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How Effective Are Probiotics

Researchers are currently unsure how effective probiotic supplements are for treating conditions. Theres constant research on the topic. While many research studies have had positive results on the impact of probiotic supplements, more research is still needed.

Its also important to keep in mind that unlike medications, dietary supplements do not need to be approved by the FDA. This means that manufacturers can sell supplements simply with claims of safety and effectiveness.

Always talk with your healthcare provider before taking a supplement or giving one to your child. Supplements might interfere with medicines you may be taking. If you are pregnant or breast feeding, check with your provider before taking any supplement.

How Long Does It Take For Probiotics To Stop Diarrhea In Cats

Probiotics: Help or Harm in Antibiotic

Generally speaking, a probiotic will take anywhere from one day to several weeks to be effective in treating diarrhea and other digestive issues.

If your cats diarrhea lasts more than 1-2 days, however, you should see a vet as there may be something much more serious going on.

How long a probiotic takes to treat diarrhea will depend on the cats age, activity level, and overall health. If a cat is younger or more active, it is likely to recover sooner than a cat who is older, very young, or overweight.

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Research On The Effects Of Probiotics

To find out how well probiotics help against acute diarrhea, researchers from the analyzed relevant studies in this area. They found 63 studies looking at the effectiveness of probiotics for acute diarrhea. Just overAbout 8,000 people took part in these studies.

Most of the participants were children whose diarrhea lasted less than two weeks. They took probiotics in various forms, such as yogurts, milk, special infant formula, as a powder or in capsules.

Amines In Probiotic Foods May Trigger Headaches

Some probiotic-rich foods, like yogurt, sauerkraut and kimchi, contain biogenic amines (11,

14 ).

Amines can excite the central nervous system, increase or decrease blood flow and may trigger headaches in people sensitive to the substance .

One study found that low-histamine diets reduced headaches in 75% of participants. However, a review of 10 controlled studies found no significant effect of dietary amines on headaches .

More research is needed to determine whether or not amines can be direct triggers of headaches or migraines in some people.

Keeping a food diary including any headache symptoms you might experience can help clarify whether fermented foods are problematic for you.

If probiotic-rich foods trigger your symptoms, a probiotic supplement may be a better choice.

Summary

Fermented foods rich in probiotics naturally contain amines. Some people may experience headaches after eating these foods, and should instead opt for probiotic supplements.

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Where Can I Find Probiotics

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts found naturally in your body. Theyre also found in some yoghurts and other foods, and you can take them as food supplements too.

You can find probiotics in certain yoghurts and soy milk just make sure it says live and active cultures on the label. Other foods rich in probiotics include kombucha tea, miso soup, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, olives, pickles, tempeh and dark chocolate.

You can also take probiotics as food supplements, which are easy to find in most chemists and health food shops.

Although Probiotics Are Usually Tolerable For Some People Including Them In Your Diet Can Cause Some Side Effects Including Diarrhea

Probiotics Cut Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea

Probiotics are more likely to help your digestive health, however, everyone is different. Even though there are many health benefits to taking probiotics, always talk to your doctor or our colonoscopy Beverly Hills doctor to see if probiotics are for you.

Colonoscopy Beverly Hills doctor, Peyton Berookim, shares what you need to know about probiotics and your digestive health.

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Take With Or Without Food

Check the label on your antibiotics. Does it recommend taking them with food or on an empty stomach?

In either case, follow the directions. Some antibiotics are better absorbed on an empty stomach, so you dont want to limit their effectiveness. But if the label says, Take with food, taking your pills with a meal might help ease stomach issues.

Beyond the specifics above, good old-fashioned advice for treating diarrhea still applies. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, and use rehydrating beverages high in electrolytes if needed. Avoid alcohol and caffeine if theyre making your diarrhea worse. Keep in mind alcohol may actually cause severe reactions while you are taking certain antibiotics, so check the label for that information, as well. Eat a more bland diet than you might normally eat.

Its better to use caution than get hit with unpleasant side effects.

Common sense would say you are going to disturb the natural balance with antibiotics, Dr. Rabovsky says, so anything else that causes you GI symptoms could make side effects even worse.

Can You Take Too Many Probiotics

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Your body already has over 30 trillion bacteria, so it is very unlikely that you could take too many probiotics, which add more healthy bacteria to your digestive tract.

Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms found in some foods, like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut, and can also be obtained through supplements. Common strains of probiotics include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which offer different benefits, but both help keep your intestinal environmentor gut microbiotabalanced.

In adequate amounts, these good bacteria are associated with many health benefits, including helping to relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome , lactose intolerance, and some infections.

While research indicates probiotics have a history of being safe, its still important to safely consume probiotic supplements. This article reviews the potential side effects of probiotics, who should avoid taking probiotics, how to know if youve taken too many probiotics and how to determine the right amount to take.

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Probiotics May Increase The Risk Of Infection For Some People

In rare cases, taking probiotics can lead to infections in some people. Caution should be taken when considering probiotic supplements if you have a weakened immune system, current illness or have recently had surgery as there is a higher risk for infection.

Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting a probiotic supplement.

Do I Need To Take Probiotics After I Take Antibiotics

DM Pharma

Antibiotic medications are often needed to fight an infection. However, while antibiotics are killing the bad bacteria, they are also knocking out the good bacteria in your body. Some people develop conditions like diarrhea after taking an antibiotic. In other people, this may allow for really bad bacteria to take over and populate the gut, such as with C. diff. Some research has shown a positive connection between taking probiotics after an antibiotic and relief from diarrhea. This hasnt been proven yet and doesnt work for everyone.

The thought behind adding probiotics back into your body after taking an antibiotic is that it can repopulate the good bacteria that was destroyed by the antibiotics and re-boot your system. The extra good bacteria helps repopulate your gut and fight off any remaining bad bacteria. Many people feel that adding in probiotics wont hurt, might help you feel better a little faster and prevent diarrhea.

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