The Wall Street Journal from November 12, 2008 reports that Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is on the rise, having more than doubled between the years 2000 and 2005. Up to one out of 20 (up to 300 of the presently diagnosed 70000) will die from this intestinal bug. C.diff is typically manifested after the administration of a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which destroys the good intestinal flora, permitting the emergence of this strain. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite, nausea and abdominal pain. Reduction of risk to patients includes using narrowly targeted antibiotics, using bleach to clean patient rooms, and good hand washing.
Dr. Gardner’s comments: Here we have another serious, and not uncommon, complication of antibiotic use. I have seen it most commonly after a course of the cyclines—minocycline, doxycycline, tetracycline. This pathogen invades the intestinal wall, wreaking havoc in its wake. I am unaware of any case of C. diff that initiated because of use of high doses of Vitamin C, whether oral or IV. There are many other effective anti-viral and anti-bacterial agents that have never caused this serious complication—for example: citricidal, oil of oregano. My point is that broad spectrum antibiotics should be more of a “last resort” option, long after trying the healthful, safe doses of vitamin C, citricidals, and oil of oregano.
Even more important, this article totally ignores of the fact that most of the infections would never take place if patients would give careful attention to diet, supplements, sleep, toxin removal and stress management. Are we asleep? Sometimes I wonder. “Wake up and Live”, says Dorothea Brande—There are alternatives to drugs and surgery.
My doctor says I can get all the vitamins and minerals I need from my food. What is your opinion on this?
I used to say the same thing to my patients, back in the days before I studied healthy alternatives. It is the party line of allopathic medicine, although that is starting to change. Here's the bottom line, and I'll follow up with some info on what allopaths are now doing:
5 responses so far ↓
1 alice // Nov 14, 2008 at 7:59 am
My husband is currently on I.V therapy with Vancomycin Hydrochloride Solution for Injection. He has been eating yogurt daily to avoid yeast or other infection from loading the body with antibiotics. What is your opinion? Thanks.
2 Tam // Nov 14, 2008 at 3:00 pm
It’s amazing what waking up and learning a little will do. I used to think if my kids had a fever they needed an antibiotic. Why did I think that? My children have gone for years now without the need of antibiotics (not that they NEEDED them before) My two youngest have honestly NEVER had them! (One is 6 and one is 2) If they ever do REALLY need them for some strange reason I expect that they should be highly effective in not very large doses.
3 Dr. Stan Gardner // Nov 15, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Alice, IV administration of antibiotics do not kill the good bacteria like the oral administration. Anybody on antibiotics should be on probiotics, which yogurt has in it. Good job.
Tam, Most infections at any age are related to an unhealthy body, and not to ‘exposures’, as we all have many viruses and bacteria in us at all times. You are absolutely correct.
4 Sara // Nov 24, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I have cronic broncitis and last year was hit with it in the spring and fall. Both times I had a complication with flu in the spring (I’m allergic to the flu shot) and an upper respitory infection in the fall. Both times my doctor prscribed a z-pack twice so last year I was on a very strong anti-biotic. After the second round of infection in the fall, I purchased Oreganol and Oregaresp (I had been using this for years, but my supplier all of a sudden began charging a price that I could not afford.) Once I started on them again, I have not had a sick spell. I took the bottles to my doctor and told him this is what prevents me from developing sickness from germs that I may pick up. He had his nurse print out a copy from the internet of the oreganol and what it does and add it to my folder. I have not had to use my inhaler or breathing machine for several months. I really rely on natural help. Sara
5 Dr. Stan Gardner // Nov 26, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Sara, Congratulations for your wisdom. It sounds like your doctor is also receptive–that’s great.
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