Research published in the March, 2003 issue of the journal, Infection and Immunity shows a connection between bacterial infection and subsequent allergies. Mice who were infected with the bacteria, Mycoplasma pneumoniae had a decreased reaction to allergens. If the mice were sensitive to the allergens prior to the infection, they had a stronger response. Mice Read More …
Category: Immune System
Bacteria May be the Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
One possible cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. In research appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association (2004;292(7):852-858) suggests that the bloating seen in IBS can be caused by bacteria in the small intestine. Bloating immediately following a meal is an indication of small intestine bacterial Read More …
Autoimmunity and Autism
Research appearing in the April, 2002 issue of the journal Molecular Psychiatry (volume 7, number 4, pages 375-382) studied autistic children who had a form of the disease characterized by apparently normal early development followed by regression in the second year of life. Previous studies have found evidence of immune issues in this group of Read More …
Antibiotics may not Speed Recovery from Sinusitis
In a study of children diagnosed with acute sinusitis of ten or more days duration, some were given a placebo and others were given antibiotics (amoxicillinor Augmentin). Those given the placebo were as likely to get better as the children who were prescribed antibiotics. Symptoms improved within seven days in 81% of children in both Read More …
Antibiotics Create Super Bugs
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (June 19, 2002;287:3096-3102, 3103-3109, 3133-3135), fewer doctors are prescribing antibiotics to children and teens than in 1990. This is an attempt to halt the rise in antibiotic resistant infections. Over use of antibiotics in the past has created antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. Doctors gave only Read More …
Antibiotics are Over-Prescribed
According to research published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (September 17, 1997;278:901-904;944-945), doctors in the United Statesfrequently prescribe unnecessary antibiotics for viral conditions such as colds. When antibiotics are used too frequently, it creates strains of bacteria that are resistant to the drugs. In 1992 a survey showed that 51% of patients Read More …
Antibiotic Use Linked to Asthma and Allergies
Researchers from the University of Michigan Medical School found that, in mice, antibiotics may be responsible for changing the makeup of the bowel flora. A change in bowel flora could affect the way the immune system responds to common allergens in the lungs. According to one of the researchers, antibiotics eliminate bacteria in the GI Read More …