A new study published in The Lancet Public Health journal reveals that almost all countries are overusing 'watch' class antibiotics, which are stronger drugs meant for specific conditions and contribute significantly to antibiotic resistance. The research developed a framework to assess appropriate antibiotic use and found that while many countries overuse antibiotics, particularly the 'watch' category, some also underuse 'reserve' antibiotics, potentially leaving patients with drug-resistant infections untreated. The study highlights a global inequality where lower-income countries need more specialised antibiotics but higher-income countries use them more.
The Union health ministry has issued draft rules to mandate a blue vertical strip on all antimicrobial drug labels, aiming to rein in over-the-counter misuse and tackle India's growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) problem.
Dr Rishikesh Malokar, senior consultant gastroenterologist, hepatologist, and therapeutic GI endoscopist at the Zynova Shalby Hospital, explains how habits such as unmonitored consumption of processed foods, skipping meals, and lack of fibre in the diet can quietly create havoc on the gut.
Experts say that in these cases, not only are the antibiotics not necessary, but they actual contribute to the evolution and spread of superbugs. Instead, doctors have been told to prescribe drugs that alleviate symptoms rather than those which attempt to eradicate the bugs altogether. This more conventional treatment allows the body to do its natural duty and fight off the bug on its own.
Yet the international response to this threat caused by the overuse and misuse of antimicrobial drugs has been feeble, they said.
How India can defend itself in the war against superbugs.
'These medicines will ensure that our brave soldiers do not suffer from unwanted blood loss while being taken to a better healthcare from war zones'
A common antibacterial substance found in toothpaste may combat life-threatening diseases such as cystic fibrosis, or CF, when combined with an already FDA-approved drug.
'We ought to do something now because even the bacteria we have treatments for now we don't use wisely... We have reached a point where there aren't any new antibiotics coming out... Patients must get the right antibiotic at the right dose for the right amount of time,' says Dr Arjun Srinivasan, the acclaimed scientist who is an expert on bacterial resistance.
Apart from keeping our weight in check, a daily detox routine can also help in keeping our bodies disease-free, says Ameve Sharma.
'We can't rule out the fact that the virus might have changed in such a way that it's actually causing more harm to young people.'
Wellness expert Roopashree Sharma tells you how you can use natural methods to improve your health.
