Side effects of overusing antibiotics

A recent study has revealed that taking excessive antibiotics causes even more harm than originally thought.

Previously, the only reason given as to why one shouldn't overdose on antibiotics was because it weakened the body's ability to fight bacterial infections.

But now, a study published in Journal of the American Society of Nephrology shows that taking any of five types of oral antibiotics leads to a higher chance of developing kidney stones.

Kidney stones are associated with bacterial changes in the intestines and urinary tract.

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The researchers studied the health files of people diagnosed with kidney stones accounting for the people who had other underlying conditions such as diabetes and gout.

The study found that  sulfas, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, nitrofurantoin/methenamine and broad-spectrum penicillins were linked to a higher risk of kidney stones.

"Risk did seem to decrease as time passed after taking these antibioticsbut it remained elevated for up to five years. Young people also seemed to be most susceptible to developing kidney stones after taking these medications," the researchers stated.