One of the most dangerous activities patients engage in is self-medication. Especially the use of antibiotics without the consent of a doctor is the worst thing that can be done. Although they do it without malicious intent, it has led to current phenomena such as drug resistance.
As a result of the current panorama, some countries have chosen to implement regulatory measures. In the case of Mexico, for just over a decade it has been mandatory to present a medical prescription when acquiring a drug of this type in any establishment.
In turn, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) carried out a study in our country some time ago. What was detected is that more than 80 percent of drug prescriptions in the offices attached to pharmacies are erroneous.
Dangers of its abuse
In modern life, the use of antibiotics and, above all, the prescription in an unreasonable manner. Hence, its consumption is a factor that significantly alters the microbiota, warned Luis Manuel Perea Mejía, professor at the Department of Public Health of the Faculty of Medicine (FM) of UNAM.
He added that there is the intestinal, oral, vaginal and skin, which forms communities in different niches; in addition, the pulmonary, the eye, the seminal and the placenta.
The university student explained that non-antibiotic drugs, such as those used for chronic heart diseases, diabetes and low triglycerides, also cause alterations in these niches of microorganisms, as well as diet, lifestyle and modification of the immune system through the use of various drugs.
Vitally important
Perea Mejía emphasized that in the human body, a group of microorganisms that make up the microbiota coexists with the body’s immune system, with which it must be kept in balance. He stressed that it is acquired from birth (depending on the type of delivery, natural or cesarean section) and during the first years of life, where the age of weaning and whether the feeding is with breastfeeding or with formula influences.
“From the initial colonization, it induces antibodies against different bacterial structures and, the greater the diversity of microorganisms, the greater the potential for protection.”
However, when it is in imbalance it is associated with diseases, especially opportunistic infections such as cavities, periodontal disease, urinary tract infection, colitis, peritonitis, pneumonia and otitis media, among other conditions.
Among the metabolic functions of the microbiota, Perea Mejía commented on its participation in the synthesis of vitamins K, biotin and folates, absorption of ions, conversion of bilirubin into urobilinogen, conservation of nutrients not degraded by intestinal enzymes and production of chain fatty acids short that can be used as fuel for the body.