Our ZAAP Program: Zap Antibiotic Abuse Personally

ZAAP stands for Zap Antibiotic Abuse Personally

You have heard that antibiotics are overused, that more than 1/3 are over prescribed or abused.

But did you know that:

• The risk of breast cancer is in proportion to the frequency of antibiotic use?(JAMA. 2004;291:827-835) ?
• That abuse of antibiotic in now associated with increase of asthma, allergic skin conditions, and urinary infections?
• That the side effects of antibiotics often outweigh their benefits?.

In hospitals all over the world, perhaps most often in the countries with the most advanced medicine, people are dying of infections because bacteria have become drug resistant due to antibiotic abuse. You are your loved ones are at risk.

What can we do? Wait for the drug company establishment to act? We can't afford to wait. YOU need to tell your friends and family about antibiotic abuse to counter the billions spent by drug companies urging us to always take pills.

What Is Antibiotic Abuse?

• Doctors who allow themselves to get talked into prescribing antibiotics when they know its for a virus or that there are alternatives.
• Doctors who prescribe an inadequate supply of antibiotics so that more drug resistant organisms grow.
• Doctors who rely solely on antibiotic therapy and forget to mention adequate rest, fluids, stop smoking, etc.
• Patients who insist on an antibiotic with every sniffle or sneeze.
• Patients who take a couple of antibiotic pills whenever they feel "sick".

What You Should do:

• Discuss need for antibiotic with your doctor and be willing to try other ways.
• Encourage your friends to do the same.
• Warn your friends of the dangers of popping an antibiotic any time, of not finishing the antibiotic prescription. Teach the importance of Hot Tea and Chicken Soup for a cold.

Read about drug free alternatives. Some are at

www.ent-consult.com

www.sinuses.com

Each specialty- Pulmonary Medicine, Asthma, Dermatology has a web site you can refer to about your need for medication. Check these out.

Of course, antibiotics save lives and are wonderful products. But they must not be abused.

With less needless antibiotic prescriptions, your cost of health care will go down. With less drug resistant infections, your own life may be saved.

Be a ZAAPER today!

Get others involved!

Write to this address to suggest other ZAAP web sites and methods.

©2004, Dr. Murray Grossan

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