The discovery of Penicillin ushered in the era of modern antibiotic therapy. With it came the development and widespread use of a great number of very powerful drugs. Many lives have undoubtedly been saved from the ravages of severe infections by the appropriate use of antibiotics.

However, like any other powerful tool, antibiotics can be misused and abused, with dire consequences. Unfortunately, they are among the most abused drugs in modem medicine.

The internal environment of the human body is a delicate ecosystem. The intestinal tract for example is populated by billions and billions of 'friendly bacteria' that are essential to health. They keep the membranes lining our gut healthy, control the population of unhealthy germs, aid digestion and proper elimination and stimulate healthy immune function. Antibiotic therapy can indiscriminately destroy the friendly bacteria and disrupt the internal ecosystem with disastrous results.

These include nausea, diarrhea, dyspepsia, gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastroenteritis, colitis, irritable bowel disease, leaky gut syndrome, malabsorption syndrome, mouth ulcers, candida infections, other fungal and viral infections, vaginal infections, immune system disorders and even vitamin deficiency. The word "antibiotic" literally means "against life". (anti=against and bios=life)

There are natural products, called probiotics, which do just the opposite. Probiotic means - for life. They replace the healthy bacteria in our digestive system, like LactobaciUua acidophiuus and BifldobaciUus bifldus and promote overall good health. Dietary fiber itself also seems to have probiotic properties.

Here are some tips on how to avoid these problems.

* Seek to minimize antibiotic use. Be willing to discuss with your doctor your need for antibiotics. If your doctor is unwilling to discuss the matter with you, I humbly suggest that you find a doctor who will. The original meaning of the word 'doctor' was teacher not dictator. However, once you, have committed to a course of antibiotics, please follow your doctor's instruction carefully.

* There are many nutrients and herbal substances with natural antibiotic, anti viral, anti fungal and immune system enhancing properties. These include echinacea, aloe vera, garlic, ginger, schizandra, cayenne and vitamin C to name a few. Therapies using ozone and hydrogen peroxide can often lessen or prevent the need for antibiotic therapy. Consulting a physician who uses such complementary approaches would be useful.

* The regular use of proboitic preparations is strongly recommended. This is particularly important ff you have been taking antibiotics, have recurrent fungal infections, or have a weak immune system. Look for products containing the healthy bacteria referred to above.

* Prevent infections. Consider taking immune system enhancers like echinacea, garlic, schizandra and vitamin C, and other strategies for building a healthy immune system. ( consult my previous article)

* Children seem particularly at risk for inappropriate antibiotic use. Protect them.

* Look out for and avoid unsuspected sources of antibiotic exposure. Supplementing animal feed with antibiotics is an almost routine practice in the poultry, dairy and livestock industry. A high percentage of dairy products, poultry and meats produced in the United States test positive for antibiotic residues. I have no reason to believe that the situation in Jamaica is much dffferent. You may be taking antibiotics and not even aware of it. The disastrous ecological consequences of this activity warrants a separate article.

Remember your health and that of your children is your responsibility, and an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.