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Explain probiotics... - bazookaman - 11-16-2012
...as if i were a 5 year old.
My daughter is FINALLY recovering in some meaningful fashion from whatever stomach bug she had almost 3 weeks ago (thread here). She actually had some "relapses" this week. One day she's doing well, the next, almost back to 2 weeks ago. Today was her first full day back at kindergarten since Halloween.
Anyway. One of her little friend's mom asked if she had taken any antibiotics in the last several weeks. She actually had an ear infection the week before she got sick and was on antibiotics. The mom suggested that the antibiotics killed all the good germs in her stomach that normally help with getting rid of stomach viruses so that ended up making a regular stomach virus REALLY bad and last almost 3 weeks.
After a visit to the doc yesterday I found out she has ANOTHER ear infection but I am afraid to give her more antibiotics so soon after she is feeling a little better. Also, the mom mentioned giving her probiotics. Actually a couple moms recommended them. But i just don't know what that means. I looked it up on wikipedia and it basically says they are known to maybe be good for some people some times.
Re: Explain probiotics... - cbelt3 - 11-16-2012
There are good bacteria and bad bacteria. Good bacteria is a helper in your tummy and makes that pizza you ate into energy for your body. And poop, of course. Bad bacteria can make you sick, so boogers come out your nose, you poop funny stuff, and you throw up. A lot.
Antibiotics (that pink stuff Mommy has you take with a funny looking spoon) is supposed to kill bad bacteria that are making you sick. Except sometimes it kills the good bacteria. And there isn't any helper bacteria to make that pizza into energy and poop, and you feel even sicker and poop even more funny stuff.
Probiotics is a fancy word grownups made for good bacteria, because nobody would want to eat "bacteria" (yuck). It's OK, and it will make your tummy feel better. And stop the funny pooping.
Re: Explain probiotics... - Lemon Drop - 11-16-2012
Hope your little one has a good day back at school and is feeling better soon.
I thought this was a pretty good run down on probiotics:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/probiotics/AN00389
Basically yogurt and bananas, or even just yogurt, gives you the good benefits of probiotics. These are foods known to help settle upset tummies. Certainly can't hurt if your child likes those foods and isn't sensitive to dairy. I would avoid the supplements but that's just me.
About the ear infections, you might want to consult an ENT specialist if she has more than a couple of infections in a span of months. Just to protect hearing, speech, maybe identify the culprit and address it. These infections can do lasting damage and sometimes fear of too much antibiotics gets in the way of needed treatment, but I get the concern about taking too much of that too. No easy answers but I'd go with the pediatrician over the friends if it comes to that.
Also it sounds like a food allergy might be going on? Your pediatrician probably covered that, but it doesn't hurt to investigate. 3 weeks is a long time for tummy upset.
I didn't read your earlier thread so apologies if any of this is n/a to your situation.
Best of luck.
Re: Explain probiotics... - CJsNvrUrly - 11-16-2012
I was diagnosed with a rare bacterial infection (Mycobacterium Marinum) contracted from my aquariums through an open wound. (I cut my finger open while snipping the airline tubing.) The cure required months of two strong antibiotics for nearly a year. When I picked up my first prescription from the pharmacist, I asked what--if anything--could be done to offset screwing up my gastrointestinal system. (Paraphrasing here, of course.) She recommended probiotics. I chose Culturelle. I never had a problem with the dreaded diarrhea or anything from the antibiotic therapy. I swear by the probiotics and, even though I am off the antibiotics now, continue to take the probiotics. I firmly believe they have kept me healthier. I haven't had a cold and don't get cold sores anymore. (If I do, they are slight and brief.)
As you said...antibiotics kill the germs. Probiotics counteract that. Bad ones die. Good ones live.
Re: Explain probiotics... - Paul F. - 11-16-2012
Septic Tank starter culture, only for your guts.
Re: Explain probiotics... - Speedy - 11-16-2012
Sounds like she had c. diff or rotavirus. Chances are the antibiotic she took had no relationship to her intestinal infection. (Antibiotics do not have any affect on viruses.) If she has an ear infection, feel free to treat it with the antibiotic the doctor prescribes. If your daughter is still having relapses it might be a good idea to get a stool sample for a culture.
Probiotics may help in replacing bacteria but only minimally. It is extremely unlikely that the antibiotic she was given earlier killed all her good intestinal bacteria. Maybe two weeks of vancomycin and tobramycin together would kill everything (except virurses) in her intestinal tract but only if she quit taking anything by mouth.
Stick with hydration, hydration, hydration. Skip milk for a few more weeks because it can aggravate things.
Re: Explain probiotics... - Dennis S - 11-16-2012
You may notice a difference after taking probiotics with them helping stop diarrhea and mouth sores.
Re: Explain probiotics... - Jimmypoo - 11-16-2012
They are biotics that have lost their amateur standing, thus they are now considered “pro."
Re: Explain probiotics... - bazookaman - 11-16-2012
Jimmypoo wrote:
They are biotics that have lost their amateur standing, thus they are now considered “pro."
:thumbsup:
Re: Explain probiotics... - mrbigstuff - 11-16-2012
if she has no negative reactions to dairy, this is the best and easiest way to get some good bacteria into her:
