Expert: Ronda Snow, Ph.D. - 1/26/2005

Question
Hello, I am wondering if people really need antibiotics for things like ear infections, sinus infections, Urinary Tract Infections, etc. or if the body is able to heal itself?  Thanks.

Answer
Hello R

The short answer to your question is sometimes yes, sometimes no, it depends.

You've hit on a loaded question. There is controversy on the subject, and technically "use of antibiotics" is a mainstream medicine kind of question not really for an alternative medicine gal like me. And of course, anything I say here is educational, and general. GOOD Online sources like this NEVER diagnose disease or try to sway you for or against any particular treatments. You should always consult a medical professional face to face about specific cases.

All I can do is offer you my personal opinion, which might give you some ideas of where you can research the idea further.

1. Antibiotics are lifesavers, no question. BUT (and this is a BIG but...) they have to be used PROPERLY. Giving antibiotics frivolously in in viruses, or in instances where they aren't truely needed has led to big problems with resistant germs and side effects.

Their real lifesaving qualities can be seen in people that have immunity problems, in germs that can lead to life-threatning problems later on if untreated (like lyme disease and beta strep group a), and in people whose ability to heal has been hampered by disease (like aids or cancer treatment), massive injury (like war wounds), or where hygene isn't possable and the immune / healing systems are overwhelmed (like in the tsunami disaster areas)

2. Yes, absolutely the body can heal itself! But it takes good health habits and time...two things our fast paced society rarely allow us.

For example, an otherwise healthy adult could recover from and ear infection without antibiotics, probably with no problem, but it would take good food (or partial fasting, depending on which school of thought you ascribe to),plenty of rest, and maybe herbal supplimentation, even homeopathic remedies, and so forth BUT it would also take TIME and there is still the risk of later problems from the disease itself that could have been prevented otherwise, such as hearing decreases from eardrum scarring etc.

Using antibiotics almost zeros out that risk and gets you back to work and superficially feeling better quicker...though some would say there is a health price to pay in the long run for suppressing an acute illness like this example. Plus if it was really just a virus, you just spent money, risked resistant organisms and medication side effect for nothing...

So  you can see where all the back and forth on this subject comes from.

Here is my vote...

The best answer, from a natural standpoint, is of course to stay well in the first place. That means supporting the immunity and healing abilities of the body with life long good habits...eat well, rest, manage your stress, build good relationships, exercise...all the things Grandma has told us all along. The best answer to the antibiotic debate is to do everything you can to not need them in the first place.

I hope you find this helpful. I always welcome your comments and feedback about the information you receive here...just click the rate button and fill in the comment box. Best wishes to you.

Baihu

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